Atlanta Red Light Accident Lawyer

Intersections, designed to facilitate the orderly flow of traffic, can unfortunately become sites of sudden and often devastating collisions. Among the most preventable causes of these accidents is the dangerous act of drivers running red lights. In Georgia, the consequences of such negligence can lead to significant injuries, financial burdens, and emotional distress for innocent victims. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, an Atlanta red light accident lawyer is committed to providing clear and comprehensive guidance to those who have been harmed in these incidents, ensuring they understand their rights and the path to potential recovery. Contact us today 404-975-1775.

Statistics of Running Red Lights In Georgia

Over 800 individuals lose their lives each year in the U.S. in crashes where a driver fails to stop at a red light, and in Georgia, unfortunately, this leads to about 25 fatalities annually due to such incidents. Unfortunately, Georgia is ranked as the 6th most dangerous state for red light running. This places Georgia among the states with the highest incidence of fatalities resulting from this specific type of traffic violation, emphasizing the elevated risk faced by motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists in our communities due to motorists running red lights. These grim statistics suggest that the risks associated with this dangerous behavior are not diminishing and may, in fact, be escalating.

Perhaps most disturbingly, despite a significant majority of drivers (85%) acknowledging that running a red light is a very dangerous action, nearly a third admit to having done so within the past month. This attitude contributes to the ongoing problem and places law-abiding citizens at unnecessary risk. The consistently high number of fatalities and injuries in Georgia due to red light running, combined with the state’s concerning ranking, indicate that you have a high chance of being in an accident caused by a driver who ran a red light. If that unfortunately happens, you should get an Atlanta red light accident lawyer experienced in red light running accidents from Merritt & Merritt Law Firm.

Establishing Negligence in Red Light Accidents

When a collision occurs because a driver has run a red light in Georgia, you must be able to show that the driver was negligent when running the red light. In its most basic form, negligence is defined under Georgia law as the failure to exercise the level of care that a reasonably prudent person would exhibit in similar circumstances. This forms the bedrock of most personal injury claims in our state.

However, in the context of red light accidents, Georgia law provides an even stronger legal basis for establishing fault through the doctrine of negligence per se. Under the principle of negligence per se, this violation of a specific traffic law (running a red light) creates a legal presumption that the driver who ran the red light breached their duty of care to others on the road. This significantly simplifies the process of proving negligence in a personal injury case arising from a red light accident. Instead of having to demonstrate the general failure to act as a reasonably prudent person, the focus of the legal argument shifts to proving that the defendant did, in fact, violate the traffic law by running the red light and that this violation led to the plaintiff’s injuries.

Once you are able to prove negligence, you then will need to show that the accident was the cause of your injuries and that those injuries resulted in actual damages that you need to be compensated for.

When you do find yourself in the position to file a personal injury case due to an accident caused by a driver who ran a red light, you will first need to determine that the driver was mostly at fault. Georgia law follows the concept of modified comparative negligence. This legal principle acknowledges that in some accidents, the injured party may also bear some degree of fault for the collision. Under Georgia’s system, a plaintiff can still recover damages even if they were partially at fault for the accident, provided that their percentage of fault is determined to be less than 50%. However, if you are found at fault for the accident, the percentage you are at fault will be reduced from your compensation award. For example, if a plaintiff is found to be 20% at fault for the accident, their total recoverable damages will be reduced by 20%. It is important to remember that if the plaintiff’s percentage of fault is determined to be 50% or greater, they are legally barred from recovering any damages whatsoever from the other party. This rule underscores the importance of having an experienced Atlanta red light accident lawyer to prove that you were minimally at fault, if at all; call us at 404-975-1775 today for a free consultation.

Injuries Commonly Resulting from Red Light Collisions: A Range of Impacts

Red light accidents often involve forceful side-impact or angle collisions. This is because one vehicle typically enters an intersection against a red light while another vehicle has a green light and is proceeding lawfully. This intense impact often translates to a wide variety of injuries for those involved.

The injuries sustained in red light accidents can range from relatively minor and temporary to extremely severe, life-altering, and tragically, even fatal. It is crucial for anyone involved in such an accident to seek prompt medical attention, as the full extent of injuries may not be immediately apparent. On the less severe end of the spectrum, individuals involved in red light accidents may experience whiplash, sprains, bruises, contusions, cuts, lacerations, and other soft tissue injuries. While these injuries may not be immediately life-threatening, they can still cause significant pain, discomfort, and limitations in daily activities. More substantial injuries can include fractures, concussions , and back and neck problems that may require extensive physical therapy and time away from work.

Unfortunately, red light collisions can also lead to severe and life threatening injuries. These severe injuries can include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, severe burns, and in the most tragic cases, wrongful death. These types of injuries often require extensive and ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and can have a profound impact on the victim’s quality of life and their ability to function.

Finally, it is essential to understand that even injuries that may initially seem relatively minor, they can be hiding more serious injuries or have injuries that show up later. These can lead to significant medical expenses that accumulate over time, lost wages due to the need for time off work to recover from the injuries, and other related costs associated with medical care and rehabilitation. More severe injuries can even have lasting impacts on a victim’s life. These can include permanent disabilities that affect their ability to work and perform daily tasks, chronic pain that persists for years, significant emotional distress and psychological trauma resulting from the accident, and an overall diminished quality of life that affects their ability to enjoy activities and relationships.

Seeking Justice After a Red Light Accident in Georgia

If you have been injured in Georgia due to another driver’s carelessness in running a red light, it is vital to understand that you have the fundamental legal right to seek financial compensation for the losses you have suffered as a result.Building a strong and ultimately successful personal injury case requires the meticulous gathering and compelling presentation of all relevant evidence.

This crucial evidence can take many forms, including the official police report that has details of the accident; statements provided by any individuals who witnessed the collision firsthand; medical records; any documentation that shows any lost wages or income you have incurred as a result of being unable to work due to your injuries; and photographs and videos taken at the scene of the accident.

Navigating the intricacies of Georgia’s legal system and dealing with insurance companies can be a complex and often overwhelming process, especially while you are trying to recover from the physical and emotional trauma of your injuries. This is where the guidance and representation of an experienced Atlanta red light accident lawyer from Merritt & Merritt Law Firm who specializes in car accident cases can be an invaluable asset. Your attorney can act as a dedicated advocate on your behalf, providing crucial support and expertise throughout the entire legal journey.

Understanding Recoverable Damages in Georgia

In the aftermath of a red light accident in Georgia caused by another driver’s negligence, you are most likely going to have multiple costs from recovering from the accident. These costs are what you will try to recover from the insurance agency, or the court if negotiations fail to get you compensated correctly. This compensation could be for multiple things, such as medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, emotional damage, and any costs that you may incur in the future due to the accident.

Act Quickly: The Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Georgia

In Georgia, there is a strict legal deadline, known as the statute of limitations, that dictates the maximum amount of time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit after being injured in a car accident. For car accidents, including those caused by a driver running a red light, the general statute of limitations in Georgia is two years from the date the accident occurred. This means that if you fail to file a lawsuit within this two-year timeframe, you will likely forfeit your legal right to pursue any compensation for your injuries and the losses you have suffered as a result of the accident. This is why it is important to contact an Atlanta red light accident lawyer from Merritt & Merritt Law Firm as soon as you can so we can handle your case in a timely manner and not miss the opportunity to get your compensation.

How an Atlanta Red Light Accident Lawyer from Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Can Advocate for You After a Red Light Accident

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we possess a deep understanding of the intricacies of Georgia personal injury law and have extensive experience in successfully representing individuals who have suffered injuries in car accidents caused by the negligence of drivers running red lights. We are committed to providing you with the skilled and dedicated legal representation you need during this challenging time.

We offer a free and confidential case evaluation to discuss the specific details of your accident and provide you with an honest assessment of the merits of your potential claim when you call us at 404-975-1775.

During this no-obligation consultation, an Atlanta red light accident lawyer will take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal rights and options in clear, straightforward language that you can easily understand. Contact us today or call our personal injury law firm at 404-975-1775 to see if Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is a good fit for you.