Someone ran the light and, in that split-second decision, put their life on the line. In any situation where you suffer serious injuries and losses caused by the reckless operation of a vehicle, you have the right to pursue legal action with the help of a Chicago car accident lawyer.
The Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C. brings the fight and experience to your case. Our traffic signal violation lawyer in Chicago is the resource you can rely on throughout this legal process.
Common Injuries Suffered When a Driver Runs a Red Light
When a driver runs a red light, they are often traveling at a high rate of speed, often over the limit, in order to make the light. When another vehicle enters the intersection with the right of way, the risk of being struck at full force is very high. These incidents include T-bone accidents and sometimes head-on crashes when one driver is turning. Injuries in these accidents often include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic head injuries
- Whiplash
- Neck and back pain
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Crushing injuries
Many people do not survive these accidents due to the sheer force involved and the location of the impact. With serious losses like these, you need a Chicago traffic signal violation attorney to guide you in seeking recovery of damages. Let us explore your rights.
Types of Traffic Signal Violations We Handle
Our attorney can help you in most types of accidents caused by a traffic signal violation. If you believe you had the right of way, we want to hear about your accident injuries and losses. Some examples of such violations include:
- Running a red light. The light is red when the driver goes through it.
- The yellow light was misjudged. The driver accelerates to run a yellow light rather than slowing or stopping.
- Turning too late on an arrow. This can happen when a driver continues to turn even after the arrow is gone.
- Failing to stop at a flashing red light. A driver only slows down when approaching a flashing red light.
- A driver fails to slow down at a flashing yellow light.
In these situations, mistakes lead to accidents, and those accidents are often devastating. Most of the time, these are preventable accidents, meaning the driver had the opportunity to avoid the mistake but did not, resulting in an accident. Our Chicago personal injury lawyer is here for you.
Proving They Ran the Light and Caused Your Accident
It is not uncommon to see people run red lights while driving through Chicago, but each time they do, they put others at risk. It can be challenging to prove that the driver ran the light and struck you, and that you had the right of way. To build your case, our team can help in several ways.
The first tool that works for you is Chicago’s extensive network of traffic cameras and the automated enforcement programs. These cameras can capture red light violations, but footage is deleted after 30 days. Act quickly to preserve evidence.
In addition, our attorney will seek additional data and evidence regarding what occurred. This includes witness statements, dash cameras, and accident reconstruction services. The information allows us to demonstrate who is at fault. Talk to the team at Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C.
Why Traffic Signal Violations Happen
Traffic signal violations happen very often. Most do not cause accidents, and that is one reason that people continue to engage in them. Other reasons for violations could include:
- Distracted driving and failing to pay attention to changing light signals as a result
- Impaired driving, including not being able to recognize the signals
- Lack of understanding of traffic signals, often by inexperienced drivers
- Rushing from one location to the next and trying to beat a light to add some time
- Failing to yield the right of way on turns often because they believe they have enough room to make the turn
Regardless of the reason, traffic signal violations cause serious accidents and, in some cases, loss of life. When you are the victim in an accident like this, you cannot assume that the at-fault driver’s record will do justice for you. Instead, you need to file a claim against them for your losses and negotiate a fair level of compensation from the insurance company.
What Your Traffic Sign Violation Accident May Be Worth
The value of your accident depends on the types of injuries you have as well as the other damages you can prove you suffered as a result of the accident. Damages in typical car accidents often apply, including losses such as:
- Medical costs related to the accident and injuries from it
- Ongoing costs for medical care and health support after the accident
- Loss of income if you cannot work due to your injuries for a period of time
- Loss of quality of life if you have long-term injuries and chronic pain development
- Property damage to your vehicle or other assets lost in the incident
- Emotional trauma from the onset of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of consortium due to damage to relationships
- Loss of income-earning capacity if you can no longer do the work you were doing
These examples may apply to your case, but during a free consultation with our attorney, we will review your losses. Our attorney builds a claim that incorporates evidence to substantiate fault and losses. We then negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to recover as much as possible.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Traffic Signal Violation Attorney in Chicago Now
At Charlie Therman Injury & Accident Lawyers, P.C., we know that when someone runs a red light, they put others’ lives at risk.
If they did that to you, and you have injuries, contact our Chicago traffic signal violation lawyer for guidance. Request a free consultation with us now.