Are Red Light Runners Always Liable in Intersection Accidents?

Generally, motorists who run red lights are responsible for any accident that ensues in the intersections they breach, but this isn’t always the case. The bottom line when it comes to car accidents of all kinds is that a wide range of factors can play a role, and each claim must be considered in relation to the circumstances that apply. If a motorist who ran a red light leaves you injured, you’re not alone out there – an experienced Charleston, SC, car accident attorney is standing by to help.

Did the Driver Run a Red Light?

First, it’s important to establish what it means to run a red light. Consider each of the following primary examples:

• When a motorist cruises into an intersection after the light has turned red, they are identified as having run a red light, which is against the law.
• A driver who is waiting in an intersection to make a left turn at a green light but who doesn’t get the opportunity to do so before the light turns red doesn’t run a red light when they ultimately complete that turn as soon as it’s safe to do so.
• Any motorist who comes to a full stop at a red light and then proceeds to make a right turn when it’s safe to do so isn’t running the red light as long as going right on red is allowed at the intersection in question. Failing to stop before proceeding, however, would be considered running the light.

In Order to Hold the Driver Legally Accountable

The elements necessary to prove that someone who ran a red light is liable for the losses you experienced in an ensuing car accident include each of the following:

• They owed you a duty of care, which every motorist owes everyone else on the road.
• The driver breached that duty of care, which is established by the fact that they ran a red light.
• Their negligence was the direct cause of the accident that left you injured.
• As a result, you suffered legal damages, which are losses that are covered by the law – such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

As long as you were in the intersection legally and as long as the other driver’s failure to stop at the red light was the direct cause of the accident that left you injured, that driver can be held legally responsible for your losses. And having the professional legal representation of a savvy car accident attorney on your side can help make that happen.

Reach Out to an Experienced Charleston, SC, Car Accident Attorney Today

The accomplished Charleston car accident attorneys at Parham Smith & Archenhold have the legal insight and drive necessary to pinpoint the other driver’s negligence in your claim and to effectively advocate for the compensation to which you’re entitled. Our legal team encourages you to reach out for more information about what we can do to help you by contacting us online or calling 864-432-1796 today.