Getting compensation after a car accident can be relatively straightforward if you can clearly identify the at-fault party. However, that isn’t always the case with yellow light accidents because determining fault and liability can be complicated. When a driver makes a turn on a yellow light, they should only do so with extreme caution.
What should you do if you are involved in a yellow light accident? First, you should consider hiring a car accident lawyer. An attorney can help sort out the accident’s details and help you prove the negligence of the other involved driver. Your lawyer can also help you fight for compensation for your accident-related losses and negotiate with the at-fault driver or their insurance company.
Yellow Lights Can Lead to Dangerous Collisions
According to the Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, yellow lights pose a potential danger because a driver approaching a yellow light faces a dilemma – can they stop safely, or should they proceed through the intersection? They also must consider whether they can stop before entering the stop line that indicates the crosswalk. Other drivers might fail to stop, resulting in right angle or rear-end collisions.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) discusses how improper timing of yellow light intervals can increase red light accidents. As you can see, yellow lights can be dangerous, and sorting out liability in these accidents can be challenging. When you have legal representation, your lawyer can:
- Request your car accident report
- Review traffic control footage
- Locate and interview witnesses
- Reconstruct the accident scene
Doing all this on your own can be impossible – especially as you recover from injuries at the same time. However, you can hire a car accident attorney to help you get compensation at no upfront cost and for a percentage of your settlement. Your lawyer can also conduct an independent investigation and help you build a compelling case for monetary compensation.
Insist on Calling Police to the Accident Scene
You should always file a car accident report after a collision – even it is just a fender bender. However, filing a report is more imperative after a complicated car accident like one that occurred at a yellow light.
In addition, having a police presence can help preserve the accident scene.
The officer also does the following:
- Objectively reports the circumstances and details of the accident
- Notes in writing the accident’s cause and contributing factors
- Records statements from any witnesses
Police can also summon an ambulance and emergency medical technicians who assist if anyone in either car sustains injuries. Finally, their presence could help cooler heads prevail and ensure you get contact information for the at-fault driver and their insurance provider.
Get Your Injuries Assessed and Treated
Every year in Florida, thousands of people suffer injuries in car accidents and receive treatment in local emergency rooms. You could recover the cost of treating your injuries from emergency care to surgery and everything in between. If you suffered severe injuries in a yellow light car accident, tracking your care is essential to your case. Note your:
- Ambulance fees
- Medical bills and records
- Prescriptions
- Physical therapy
- Travel expenses
A personal injury lawyer will fight to cover your medical bills, including hospital admissions, emergency room fees, and more. It would be best to avoid out-of-pocket expenses for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
Keep Track of Your Recoverable Damages
If you can prove you were not to blame for the crash, you can file a personal injury insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
The damages you can request include:
- Current and future medical bills
- Current and future lost income
- Property damage or destruction
- Disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
You might find it time-consuming and overwhelming to fight an insurance company, prove you were not at fault, and qualify for compensation. A personal injury lawyer can help with this fight. They will accurately calculate your damages, ensure your case file contains the evidence you need to get the compensation you deserve, and file your case before the statute of limitations runs out.
Get a Free Case Review Today
You may not know what to do if you are involved in a yellow light accident, but our legal team does. We will help you prove you had the right of way and the other driver’s negligence led to the collision. Learn more about how hard we fight for you by contacting our Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Call 1-800-747-3733 today to review your case at no cost or obligation to you.
We Can Help.
