Posing a unique kind of threat to automobile drivers, yellow lights is one of the reasons behind the number of car accidents in the country. When a yellow light automobile accident happens, it is often challenging to who at fault is. Here, experienced car accident attorneys at MANGAL, PLLC in Clermont, Florida explain how to find fault in yellow light accidents.
Due to speeding or distracted drivers, intersections can be one of the riskiest places on the road. Find out what you should do if you have been involved in a yellow light accident.
A Left Turn on a Yellow Light
A left turn on a yellow light means that a driver has turned left when the traffic signal light is yellow. Intersection accidents usually happen when a driver attempts to take a left turn before the light changes to red; instead of waiting for the traffic light to turn green. In such a situation, it is critical to understand who has the right of way, and who to be blamed for if a car accident occurs.
Factors that Can Make a Yellow Light Dangerous
When a green light changes to yellow light, it is to warn car drivers that they should start to slow down and bring their vehicle to a complete stop.
Sadly, many automobile drivers consider it as a signal to increase their vehicle’s speed and rush through a traffic light. When drivers attempt to beat the red light, they pay less attention to oncoming traffic and accidents may occur.
Broadly, two types of accidents can occur on a yellow traffic light, including:
- Rear-End Accidents: This type of crashes happens when a driver slows down to a complete stop at a yellow signal or slows down to take a right turn, and the driver behind the him/her fails to stop, eventually hitting the rear-end of the vehicle.
- Left-Turn Accidents: This type of accidents can occur when a driver, who is trying to take a left turn, fails to give the right of way to oncoming traffic, and may end up colliding with an oncoming vehicle.
Tips to Avoid Yellow Light Accidents
For many people, driving is an integral part of their day-to-day life. While you cannot control other drivers on the road, you can still manage to avoid yellow light accidents to a considerable extent by following some basic tips:
- To avoid intersection accidents, make sure to consider every yellow light as a warning sign that a red light is about to appear and that you need to slow down. This way, you give yourself ample time to observe your surroundings.
- If you are making a left turn during a yellow light, remember that oncoming traffic has the right of way. At this moment, it is totally up to you to judge whether or not you can make that turn safely. Many a time, it is safer to wait for the light to turn green.
- If you are going to make a right turn, you can avoid a crash simply by slowing down your vehicle to a complete stop, just before the crosswalk. Not only this gives space to pedestrians crossing the road, but it also creates a buffer area between you and oncoming cars.
- Make sure to treat a red light as a sign to stop. This means, a yellow light is the time to slow down; and not to hurry up.
- Obeying the specified speed limit also gives you enough time to slow down when the traffic light is yellow. It is good to be attentive always when driving.
What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Yellow Light Accident?
As a matter of fact, driving itself ups your odds of being involved in an automobile accident. If you or your loved one is involved in a yellow light collision, there are several steps you may need to take. The first is to contact the police. The police need to arrive at the scene and prepare an official report, irrespective of injuries. This helps them figure out the cause of the accident as well as who is (or who is not) responsible for the crash.
Remember that if you suffered a personal injury, you may require seeing a doctor without delay.
Medical records help your insurer as well as your personal injury lawyer in Clermont, Florida with your accident claim. Thereafter, you may also require contact your insurer to understand how to proceed further.
In general, insurance companies need a police report, pictures of the vehicles involved in the crash, and medical reports (if any) to process and settle an accident claim. A car accident injury lawyer in Florida can also help you deal with either your own insurance company or the insurer of the other party involved in the crash.
If you are involved in a serious crash that caused personal injury to you, you may require legal guidance from a qualified personal injury attorney. It is important to choose a trusted law firm in Florida that offers free consultations and can help you make an informed decision.
Finding Fault in a Yellow Light Accident
It is important to know that if a driver, trying to take a left turn during a yellow light, hits an oncoming vehicle, then that driver will be held responsible for the accident.
Traffic laws may differ, but, in general, oncoming automobiles have the right of way during a yellow light. A driver, attempting to turn left in yellow light, bears the legal responsibility to ensure that they have enough space and time to make a left turn safely.
Comparative negligence law may apply if both parties have shared fault. This means that not all accident cases are the same and every case needs to be represented by accident attorneys in a unique manner.
Thankfully, Florida is one of the no-fault states, where the fault is not considered as a factor by insurance companies when processing an accident claim. However, this can make a huge difference when it is about seeking compensation in court. Consider hiring a trusted car accident attorney in Clermont, Florida, who can help you navigate such a complicated situation while ensuring that you get the right compensation to cover your medical costs and other types of losses.
