You probably don’t need to be told that car accidents are stressful, especially when they happen because someone ran a red light. When a driver breaks a traffic rule and causes a crash, they are usually responsible for the damage. If they have auto insurance, their insurance company will typically be the one that pays for the losses.
Figuring out which insurance company should pay for your damages can be confusing, and dealing with adjusters can be frustrating. A good attorney can guide you through the process and handle the negotiations for you. If you were injured by a driver who ran a red light, the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp can answer your questions. Call us today to schedule your free case review.
Driving Aggressively
Drivers run red lights for many different reasons, both on purpose and by mistake. One common reason is that a driver is in a hurry, gets impatient, and starts driving aggressively. Choosing to go through a red light instead of waiting can easily cause a serious crash and leave other people with severe, life-changing injuries.
Distracted Driving
One of the biggest problems on the road is distracted driving. This means driving while your focus is on something other than the task at hand. Even though Virginia law limits cell phone use while driving, many people still look at or use their phones. When they are distracted, they may even jump a red light without even realizing it.
Passengers in a car can also distract a driver. This can be hard to prove after a crash, but it does happen. Some states have special rules that limit how many passengers beginner drivers can carry. Checking the local traffic laws can help show whether or not the other driver was acting irresponsibly.
Road and Weather Conditions
Road conditions can also play a role in red-light accidents. As fall and winter arrive, roads may become more slippery because of wet leaves, rain, snow, or ice. These hazards can make it harder for drivers to stop in time at a red light.
Drivers need to be extra careful when road conditions are poor. Bad weather or slippery roads call for slower, more careful driving. If a driver is going too fast for the current road conditions, they may not be able to stop at a red light and could slide into the intersection and hit another vehicle.
What Are the Potential Consequences of Running a Red Light in Virginia Beach?
How the red-light violation is caught usually determines what happens next. If a traffic camera sees your car go through an intersection after the light turns red, the person who owns the car might get a letter in the mail. The notice usually has pictures and basic information about the supposed violation.
If a cop sees you run a red light, they might pull you over right away and give you a ticket. Most of the time, the first thing that happens is that you get a ticket.
In Virginia, running a red light is a traffic infraction. The fine can be different depending on where the ticket was given out, and it usually includes the fine and court costs. Red-light violations in Virginia typically add DMV demerit points to your driving record. You might have to go to court in some cases, especially if there was an accident.
Some Virginia cities and counties use red-light cameras where authorized to make intersections safer and cut down on serious crashes, especially side-impact collisions. These kinds of accidents often hurt people badly.
For drivers, this means that even if running the red light was not on purpose, it can still cost you money. If you ignore a ticket or camera notice, extra fees can be added. Not responding at all can also lead to more legal trouble or problems with your license.
What Insurance and Legal Problems Accompany a Citation?
In Virginia, running a red light can lead to more than just a ticket. If a crash happens, you can also be held legally and financially responsible. State law requires drivers to come to a full stop at a steady red light before entering the intersection or stop line. Not stopping for a red light is a traffic violation, and if it causes a crash, it can be used as proof that the driver was negligent in an injury claim.
Potential outcomes include:
- Liability: If you run a red light and cause a crash, you may be responsible for the damage, which could include medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.
- Lawsuits: If you caused someone to be badly injured, they could sue you. If you ran the red light, they may have strong evidence that you were at fault.
- Tickets and fines: A red-light ticket can cost from about $100 to several hundred dollars, and repeat violations increase the total.
- Insurance increases: Even without a crash, a red-light ticket can raise your insurance rates or lead to policy cancellation.
In Virginia, traffic citations can be dealt with in one of two ways: pay it or go to court to fight it. If you pay the ticket, it counts as admitting guilt. If you don’t pay, you can go to court and ask for a hearing. Sometimes a judge may lower the charge or give a lighter result based on your record and the facts, but that choice is up to the judge.
Basically, running a red light might start with just a ticket. If it causes a crash, however, it could pave the way for serious financial and legal problems.
Talk to a Virginia Beach Car Accident Lawyer
Were you seriously hurt because a driver ran a red light? You deserve to work with a skilled Virginia Beach car accident lawyer who can protect your rights and advise you through the legal process.
Our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have been helping people who were hurt in serious crashes for a long time. We know how to make strong cases with good evidence and expert help, and we've helped a lot of clients get money to help them move on. In one case, we secured a $3.5 million award for a client who suffered permanent brain damage after a head-on crash with a drunk driver.
If you were hurt because someone else was careless, our personal injury team is ready to listen and explain your options. Call (833) 997-1774 or fill out our online contact form to get a free case review. We have offices in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Hampton, and more than 100 years of combined experience helping injured clients seek fair compensation.
