Getting Compensation for an Accident Caused by a Driver Running a Red Light

 Posted on September 25,2019 in Car Accidents

It is against the law in Illinois, but it is not uncommon for a driver to drive through a steady red-light signal, and many drivers intentionally do so. This typically happens when a driver is in a hurry or the light abruptly turns red on them. Driving through a red light is dangerous as it can cause a car accident resulting in serious injuries or even death.

Illinois Law on Red Lights

Illinois law provides that a driver must come to a complete stop at a red traffic light. A driver must remain at a complete stop until an indication is given to proceed through the intersection, usually by a green light. If the driver’s intention is to turn right at the intersection, a driver facing a steady red-light signal may turn after stopping completely and ensuring that making the turn is safe. A driver can also proceed to turn left after stopping if he or she is on a one-way street and is turning left onto a one-way street.

However, a car facing a steady red arrow signal is not permitted to turn in the direction indicated by the red signal and must stop by a line marking the intersection stop point. If there is no such a stop line, a driver must still come to a complete stop before entering the intersection and remain stopped until the signal turns green.

T-Bone Accidents

When a driver runs a red light, the outcome is often a T-bone accident. A T-bone accident or a broadside accident is a collision in which the front end of one vehicle impacts the side of another vehicle in a “t” shape. T-Bone accidents are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injuries or death, especially for those in older cars. A driver’s side t-bone crash puts the driver of the impacted car directly in the path of the collision, often without the benefit of safety features such as a crumple zones, side-curtain airbags, and others. .

T-Bone Accidents and Negligence Per Se

When you file a lawsuit against someone for causing you injury, the law requires you to prove liability on the part of the defendant if you are to be successful. This can be difficult to prove and many cases are not won on this basis alone.

However, in certain cases, this requirement is made easier, and you could succeed in your lawsuit by only showing that the person you are suing violated a law that was designed to protect you in a specific situation. In the case of someone running a red light, all you have to show is the person crashed into your car when he or she failed to stop when the light turned red. Because this law exists to protect other motorists, showing that the other driver ran a red light creates the presumption of his or her liability under the doctrine known as negligence per se.

The only other thing you would need to show besides is that you suffered an injury which traffic lights are designed to prevent. The presumption of liability under negligence per se can be overcome, so it is important to speak to a lawyer about your particular circumsances. 

A Lake County Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you have been injured in a T-bone accident caused by a driver who ran a red light or did not stop at a red arrow turn signal, contact an experienced Waukegan personal injury attorney to discuss what your options are in obtaining compensation for your injuries. We are experienced in handling traffic accidents cases and know how best to obtain maximum compensation for you. Schedule a free consultation by calling 847-662-3303. At Salvi & Maher, L.L.C., we collect our fees only when you collect compensation.

Source:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-208