Running a Red Light and Causing an Accident Penalty

With so much traffic in California, it’s no surprise that red light running accidents occur regularly. In fact, the state of California has the most red light traffic violations in the country. Running a red light is a serious traffic violation that can result in serious injuries or death to another driver, passengers, pedestrians, or bicyclists. 

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, contact The Law Offices of Daniel Kim for a free consultation. Don’t wait and rely on the insurance company to help you. If you’ve been injured, you will need experienced car accident attorneys who have dealt with red light car accidents to proactively assist you in recovering the compensation you deserve. 

 

Why Contact a Red Light Car Accident Lawyer?

If you have been injured in a red light accident, it is wise to seek legal help immediately. Red light runners violate their duty of care to keep others safe on the road. Running a red light is a clear violation of traffic laws. 

The Law Offices of Daniel Kim  is a well-known personal injury law firm in Southern California committed to protecting the rights of car accident victims. We won’t accept a quick settlement just so we can get a fast payday. 

Our experienced legal team knows how to deal with insurance companies and their deceitful tactics. Because the insurance companies have their own agenda, their goal is to increase profits by reducing settlements for car accident claims as much as possible. Don’t fight the insurance companies alone.

Instead, call us for a free consultation. We have over 5,000 positive reviews from happy clients on Yelp, Facebook, and Google. Our law firm has offices throughout Southern California, including Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Diego County, and more. 

 

Red Light Accident Statistics

Based on data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 1,109 people were killed in a red light crash in 2021. Half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists, and people in other vehicles going through a green light. In the same year, an estimated 127,000 people were injured in red light running accidents. 

The IIHS also reports that red light safety cameras decrease red light running and have reduced fatal red light running accidents in large cities by 21%. 

 

Why Do People Run Red Lights? 

Running red lights is one of the most common causes of car accidents. Despite an overwhelming 76% of Americans who think it is a risky and dangerous maneuver, more than 28% admitted to doing so in the past 30 days, according to an  AAA study. 

Running a red light typically results in a T-bone collision, where one car hits one side of the other. Some of the most common reasons why people run red lights are: 

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Trying to beat a yellow light
• Distracted driving 
• Alcohol impairment 
• Failure to see the traffic signal

One of the main ways California deters red light running is through the use of red light cameras. These cameras, which are usually installed at high-traffic intersections, snap a photo of the driver’s license plate number if the driver passes through an intersection when the light is red. 

Then, a ticket is mailed to the driver’s home address. Allowing for enough yellow light time is also an effective way to reduce accidents.

 

Penalties for Running a Red Light in California

In California, the penalty for running a red light varies depending on the nature of the violation. You may receive a ticket if a police officer pulls you over or if a camera captures your vehicle moving through a red light. Most red light violations will result in points on your license. 

• $35 if you make an illegal right turn at a red light 
• $35 when you go through a stop sign 
• $100 if you run through a flashing or solid red light

Keep in mind that there will be surcharges and fees added to these base fines. Your insurance rate will also likely increase. In some cases, going to traffic school can mitigate some of the damage and remove one point from your driving record if you are the at-fault driver.

 

Common Injuries From Red Light Accidents

Running a red light can cause car crashes resulting in severe injuries. Speeding almost always leads to more severe injuries.

Red light accidents also tend to result in major property damage. Typically, one or both of the drivers’ cars are totaled. Some of the common car accident injuries from running red lights are:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones and fractures
• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries
• Amputation
• Wrongful death 

 

Who Is Liable For Red Light Accidents? 

In a vast majority of cases, the driver running a red light is at fault. 

This is a scenario we see all too often in California, as drivers regularly ignore stop signs and traffic signals. For a complete legal definition, The California Vehicle Code Section 21453 details the red light rules:

(a) A driver facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown, except as provided in subdivision (b).

(b) Except when a sign is in place prohibiting a turn, a driver, after stopping as required by subdivision (a), facing a steady circular red signal, may turn right, or turn left from a one-way street onto a one-way street. A driver making that turn shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk and to any vehicle that has approached or is approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard to the driver, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to that vehicle until the driver can proceed with reasonable safety.

(c) A driver facing a steady red arrow signal shall not enter the intersection to make the movement indicated by the arrow and, unless entering the intersection to make a movement permitted by another signal, shall stop at a clearly marked limit line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication permitting movement is shown.

(d) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in Section 21456, a pedestrian facing a steady circular red or red arrow signal shall not enter the roadway

 

How Much Is a Settlement Worth?

The amount of compensation you can receive after a red light accident depends on several factors, such as the severity of your injuries, the extent of damages, and the liability of the other party. However, another crucial factor is the skill of your lawyer in negotiating with the insurance companies.

You should know that insurance companies are not on your side. They want to minimize their payouts and avoid taking responsibility for your losses. They may use various tactics to deny, delay, or reduce your claim. This is unfair and unjust for the victims of personal injury.

That is why you need a lawyer like Daniel Kim, who is a skilled negotiator and loyal advocate for his clients. He and his legal team have successfully handled many red light car accident cases, achieving a 99% success rate and recovering over $300 million for injured clients.

Your final settlement may include compensation for the following:

• Lost wages 
• Loss of future earning capacity 
• Past and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage

 

Get Help Filing a Car Accident Claim

Getting medical treatment is the most important thing you need to do after a red light accident. Don’t hesitate to take an ambulance to the hospital if you need it. Delaying medical care can be a detriment to your health and your personal injury case. 

In addition, your injuries may worsen over time, and the insurance company may question the severity of your condition if you delay seeking treatment. If cost is a concern, know that a car accident claim can reimburse you for medical bills and other out-of-pocket expenses.

Insurance companies have a process they use to determine who is at fault. Whether or not you are partly at fault for a red light accident, contact a personal injury lawyer. Ideally, you will want to hire a lawyer who can help you with an insurance claim. This ensures you don’t get yourself in a bind where your insurance company uses your words against you. 

Still have questions? Call The Law Offices of Daniel Kim for a free case evaluation.

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