Have you recently been involved in a red and yellow light traffic accident in Miami, FL?
You may be entitled to compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost wages.
Personal injury cases involving intersection accidents tend to be complicated. It’s in your best interest to have an experienced Miami red and yellow light accident attorney help you fight for the money you deserve.
Contact Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer to discuss your legal options with our experienced and compassionate personal injury team. We offer a free consultation, so call now.
Red and Yellow Light Accidents: An Overview
Florida is notorious for its high rate of car accidents. Roadways are a danger due to both tourists and residents not complying with state traffic.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 403,626 automobile accidents in 2018 alone.
One of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents is the failure to comply with red and yellow traffic lights. In 2018, 109 Floridians died due to disregard for red and yellow light laws. Another 664 were debilitatingly injured due to the same reason.
Causes of Miami Red and Yellow Light Accidents
Sustaining injuries that change your life can be disheartening. We understand the anger and frustration that our clients feel when they are injured because of another driver’s mistake. This is especially true when the injury is a result of a failure to obey simple traffic light laws designed to keep everyone safe on the roads.
There are several causes that lead to red and yellow light accidents:
Speeding in an Attempt to Beat a Changing Traffic Signal
Speeding is the most common cause of accidents related to red and yellow traffic lights. Rather than slowing down, as a yellow light instructs, some drivers speed up in an attempt to beat the changing signal.
This ill decision is one that costs many drivers injuries and even death. Yellow lights are to inform the driver to slow down, not speed up. Racing to beat red lights is especially dangerous at intersections where unsuspecting drivers are hit after waiting for their signals.
Cruising Through Red Lights on Right Turns
Unless noted otherwise, Florida allows drivers to turn right at a red light if the coast is clear. The key is the requirement to make a hard stop before turning.
Failing to stop at red lights and nonchalantly cruising through is a major cause of automobile accidents related to red and yellow lights.
Left Turns With No Signal
When drivers are making a left turn without a left turn arrow signifying their right of way, they are responsible for making sure it is a safe time to turn. Not ensuring that the crosswalk is free of pedestrians and that there is no oncoming traffic has led to many pedestrian deaths and injuries.
Rear-End Collisions
Many drivers have suffered an accident while stopped at a traffic light. This is often due to lack of focus by the driver behind them, leading to unnecessary and destructive rear-end collisions.
Florida Red and Yellow Light Traffic Laws
Florida has clear traffic statutes regarding traffic signal compliance.
Green Traffic Indication
A green light gives the driver facing the traffic signal permission to drive straight through the intersection. Any vehicle turning left or right must yield to other traffic and pedestrians.
Steady Yellow Indication
A yellow light is a heads up to drivers that their light will immediately turn red following the warning. This means another direction of traffic and pedestrians will soon have the green light. Drivers are only permitted to drive through a yellow traffic signal if there is sufficient time to make it through the intersection before the light turns red or pedestrians begin to cross.
Steady Red Indication
A red light indicates that the driver’s line of traffic is at a complete stop. Vehicle operators must stop at or before the stop line. If no stop line is present, they must stop before the crosswalk to allow pedestrians to cross safely. Drivers are allowed to turn right on red, however, they must be sure to yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles with the right of way.
Red and Yellow Light Accident Liability
There are several factors involved in deciding who is at fault for an automobile accident. Negligent driving is the number one cause of automotive collisions. Negligent driving involves any irresponsible driving decisions that lead to an accident.
Speeding, drunk driving, and distracted driving are common examples of driver negligence.
If you have been a victim of an automobile collision due to another individual’s poor driving, you are entitled to justice. Lost wages, medical bills, property damage, and emotional damages all result from automotive collision injuries.
You need a reputable Miami car accident lawyer in your corner who is experienced in these types of injury cases.
What to Do After a Red and Yellow Light Accident Occurs
If you are faced with a collision pertaining to red and yellow light signals, you must protect yourself immediately following the accident.
- If no severe injuries have occurred, move vehicles to safety. It can be tempting to leave the accident as it occurred but is far too dangerous. Other traffic may not see the accident and cause further harm.
- Gather all information and report the accident to the police. Your police report will contain vital details pertaining to the incident and can be used for legal matters. Take photographs of the scene of the accident and notes of any bodily injuries sustained.
- Seek a full medical evaluation from a licensed professional.
- Gather all the aforementioned documentation and contact our Miami red and yellow light attorneys at Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer today.
When you call our law firm, we will discuss liability, provide an overview of your rights, and offer options on how best to proceed with your case.
Contact a Car Wreck Attorney in Miami, FL
If you have suffered injuries related to red and yellow light accidents, including physical, emotional, or financial injury, it is imperative that you seek legal representation. You need a qualified Miami personal injury attorney who is experienced in cases pertaining to Miami red and yellow light accidents. Contact Lavent Law Personal Injury Lawyer today to see how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
As with all our cases, your initial consultation is absolutely free. Call now to speak with our experienced car accident lawyers today.