If you’re in a hurry, you might be tempted to run a red light or two. It’s a victimless crime–right? Unfortunately, hundreds of people have died in car accidents in Pennsylvania and around the country after motorists made the same assumption. It only takes a second for a car to pull out in front of you when you’re least expecting it, causing a life-changing accident.
What are the statistics for red light accidents?
In 2018 alone, over 800 people died in motor vehicle accidents that resulted from a driver running a red light. To reduce the number of such accidents, many cities have installed cameras that take a picture of your vehicle when you run a red light. Studies have shown that this can reduce the number of accidents by up to 21% in certain parts of the country.
Despite this, thousands of people are injured in accidents every year, prompting many to file a personal injury lawsuit. Bicyclists and pedestrians make up a large percentage of accident fatalities. Since they’re harder to see, they can easily dart out in front of a vehicle that’s running a red light.
People in other vehicles make up a large percentage of those who are killed in red light car crashes. If you don’t see anyone else at the intersection, it might seem safe to drive through a red light. But a vehicle could show up at any time–and since they’ve got the right of way, they’re not going to stop until it’s too late. These types of accidents are so frequent that over 100,000 people were injured in 2018 after being involved in one.
What should you do if you’ve been hit by a vehicle?
If your car is hit by another vehicle, you could sustain serious injuries. The risk is even greater if you were a bicyclist, motorcyclist or pedestrian at the time. Other factors could also compound your injuries, like if the other vehicle was speeding at the time. An attorney could help you seek the compensation that you need to get your life back on track.