Long Beach Red Light Car Accident Lawyer
Advocating for People Injured by Red Light Runners in Long Beach
Drivers run red lights every day in California and the U.S. In a recent year, nearly 850 people were killed and approximately 143,000 were injured in crashes caused by red light runners, as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). More than half of the people killed were bicyclists, pedestrians, or people in other vehicles that were hit by the red light runners. Red light running is defined by IIHS as entering an intersection at any time after the signal has turned red.
What Are California Traffic Laws on Red and Yellow Lights?
The state law on yellow lights can be found in the California Vehicle Code at Section 21452. It simply states that drivers facing a yellow light or signal are warned that “...green movement is ending or that a red indication will be shown immediately thereafter.” Pedestrians facing yellow lights or arrows are warned that there is insufficient time to cross and are prohibited from entering the roadway under the law.
California red light law is covered at Section 21453. A driver facing a red light or arrow must stop before the marked line, before the crosswalk, or in any case, before entering the intersection. Drivers facing red lights are allowed to make right-hand turns after stopping or turn left from one-way streets onto one-way streets. However, right or left turning drivers must yield to pedestrians and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching closely enough to constitute a hazard.
What Types of Accidents Can Result From Failure to Properly Stop at Red Lights?
In states such as California, where right turns are permitted on red and left turns are permitted on red from a one-way to a one-way, drivers may run red lights by failing to come to a complete stop before turning. When a turning red light runner violates another driver’s right of way, it can lead to side impact or rear-end collisions.
Drivers who run red lights traveling straight through an intersection can collide with vehicles moving legally through the intersection on the green light. This can lead to deadly T-bone crashes that can cause serious injuries, particularly to occupants on the side of the vehicle that is hit.
What Evidence Should Be Gathered From the Scene of a Red Light Accident?
To build a case for negligence after a Long Beach red light accident, it is important to gather and preserve as much evidence as possible at the scene of the accident, if you are able. This evidence should include:
- Witness statements, or names and contact information for any eyewitnesses to the crash
- Pictures of the accident scene, including damage to the vehicles, their relative positions, skid marks or crash debris on the road, etc.
- Footage from any surveillance cameras in the area or any available dash cam videos
- Photos of any injuries you sustained in the crash
In addition to the above, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible for your injuries. Even if you do not believe they are serious, a thorough examination by a qualified medical professional can detect injuries that may not be immediately apparent after the crash. A doctor visit can also officially document your injuries for your personal injury claim.
After you get medical attention, contact an experienced Long Beach car accident attorney as soon as possible, to ensure you stay within the legal time limit for filing a claim. The Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV has a successful track record representing injury victims. We have won hundreds of millions for our clients. Call us to schedule a free consultation at (562) 901-0840 or toll-free at (888) 454-5569.