Driver Negligence: Running Red Lights and Stop Signs

If you’re involved in an auto accident, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault in order to collect compensation for your injuries. To prove this, your attorney will assess the facts of your case to determine whether or not the other driver was using reasonable care and caution while driving. Two of the most common traffic infractions that your attorney can look for are running red lights and running stop signs.

Running Red Lights

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drivers who ran red lights accounted for 762 crash-related deaths in 2008 in the United States. The NHTSA also estimates that 165,000 people are injured each year because of drivers who fail to obey this basic traffic regulation. Given these statistics, it’s not surprising that 97% of drivers polled in a 2004 nationwide survey felt that red light running was a serious safety threat while traveling on the road. The purpose of traffic lights is to control the flow of traffic and ensure that drivers make appropriate stops. If a driver fails to follow these regulations and causes an accident, he or she can be held responsible for any injuries suffered by others on the road.

Running Stop Signs

Similar to red lights, stop signs serve the purpose of safely facilitating the flow of daily traffic. Unfortunately, many drivers don’t view stop signs in the same serious manner as other traffic signals and fail to make complete stops at stop signs. Drivers need to slow down as they approach a stop sign and come to a complete stop before continuing on their way. A complete stop means that the wheels of the vehicle are no longer moving.

If you’ve been involved in a serious accident because of the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to compensation. For nearly 20 years, the Auto Accident Law Firm of Kevin Paul Childers has specialized in representing Northern Virginia auto accident victims. To schedule a consultation, call (703) 330-6300.