Have you or someone you love been seriously injured in a car accident by a driver running a red light? At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent crash victims in fighting for the fair compensation they deserve. Contact our Baltimore law office today at (410) 837-2144 for a free consultation with our Baltimore Red and Yellow Light Accident Attorneys.
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How can WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Help You After a Red and Yellow Lights Accident in Baltimore, MD
In an ideal world, the at-fault driver’s insurance company recognizes that their policyholder caused an accident and understands the severity of your injuries.
Unfortunately, the truth is insurance companies are for-profit businesses with claims adjusters and attorneys of their own who seek to limit claims as much as possible. This means you will likely receive an initial lowball offer for your injuries.
The experienced legal team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers serves as your advocate to negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf. We will work to build your case to prove the other driver caused the accident and show the full extent of the damages you have suffered. If the insurance company won’t make a fair settlement offer, we will take your case to court to fight for the financial compensation you need to move on.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers is a family law firm that has represented motor vehicle accident victims for over three generations. We regularly secure high-value settlements for our clients including a $1 million settlement for a rear-end collision that resulted in a neck fracture. Let our caring Baltimore car accident lawyers help you fight for the maximum compensation. Your first consultation is free, so call now.
How Common Are Red and Yellow Intersection Accidents in Baltimore?
Car accidents can happen anywhere, from driveways and parking lots to highways and rural roads. However, about 40% of all crashes occur at or near intersections. Of the 2.5 million intersection crashes across the U.S. every year, about 8,600 are fatal. That’s 21 percent of all traffic deaths. Nearly 2,900 of those fatalities occur at intersections with traffic signals as opposed to signs or no traffic control.
In one recent year, Maryland ranked 6th in the nation for intersection fatalities per 1,000 miles of road with 5.29 intersection deaths for every 1,000 miles.
That’s double the U.S. average.
Between 2010 and 2017, intersection fatalities have increased 27% in Maryland with 8,752 deaths per year on average. That’s 24 people per day dying in intersection crashes in Maryland.
AAA recently found that red light fatalities had reached a 10-year high with 2 people killed every day as the result of people running red lights. In 2017, 28% of auto accident deaths happened at intersections because a driver ran a red light.
Despite 85% of drivers agreeing that running a red light is dangerous, one-third said they had done it within the past 30 days despite being able to safely stop.
Some intersections in Baltimore are more dangerous than others. Some of the most dangerous Baltimore intersections with a high rate of red and yellow light accidents include:
- Gywnns Falls Parkway and Reisterstown Rd which ranked 1st in Maryland with 46 crashes in 2015 alone
- Northern Parkway at Jones Falls Expressway
- Orleans Street at Enstor and Gay Streets
- West Cold Spring Lane at Jones Falls Expressway
- West Northern Parkway at Falls Rd
- Southwest Monroe St at Washington Blvd
The streets near these intersections also have high rates of accidents with injuries. For example, there were more than 240 traffic accidents on Gwynns Falls Parkway in 2015.
What Causes Red and Yellow Intersection Crashes in Baltimore?
Intersections are dangerous for many reasons. Sometimes accidents occur due to poor intersection design, malfunctioning traffic lights, or a lack of visibility or attention. Many accidents, however, occur when the traffic light is red or yellow due to risky driving behavior or inattention.
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we find that red and yellow intersection crashes in Baltimore usually occur due to the following types of behaviors:
- Hitting the gas as soon as the light turns green without checking if the intersection is clear. This runs the risk of hitting a driver who was speeding through a yellow or red light or someone who was otherwise still in the intersection.
- Risky left turns into oncoming traffic when the light is changing from yellow to red. This may happen when a driver assumes that oncoming traffic will stop as their light is turning red.
- Not paying attention when a light turns red and the car ahead stops.
- Speeding up trying to beat a yellow light.
- Running a red light without stopping or slowing down at all.
- Illegal right-hand turns on red lights.
- Distracted driving or drunk driving.
Some red and yellow light crashes happen when a driver is intentionally disregarding the law because they don’t want to stop or be delayed. Accidents are also caused by driver negligence. The experienced Baltimore red and yellow light attorneys at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers will investigate your accident to determine exactly how it happened and who is at fault for your injuries.
Types of Red and Yellow Intersection Accidents
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent victims who have been injured in all types of red and yellow light accidents in Baltimore. These accidents can take many forms including:
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact crashes when a driver is turning left or red in the intersection
- Rollover accidents
- Front collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicyclist accidents
We understand that all intersection accidents are serious and they have a higher rate of fatalities than accidents that occur on regular roadways. Our personal injury lawyers will work tirelessly to help you build your claim and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Who Is Liable in a Red or Yellow Light Intersection Accident in Maryland?
Sometimes fault is very clear in an intersection accident. Other times, it can be murky, especially if more than one vehicle was involved. Proving fault in a red or yellow light accident can be more difficult than you think. As the injured party, the burden is on you to prove the other party was at fault.
Determining liability is more crucial in Maryland than in most states. Maryland is one of just four states with a pure contributory negligence law. This means that an injured party in an accident is not entitled to any compensation at all if they are found at all responsible.
Even if you are just 1% at fault, you will not be able to collect compensation through a personal injury claim against the other driver who was 99% to blame.
This makes it essential to work with an experienced Baltimore car accident attorney to investigate your accident and prove that you did nothing to contribute to the accident. Your attorney will investigate your accident and build your case using evidence such as:
- Witness statements
- Accident reconstruction
- Police reports
- Red light camera photos
- Nearby store security cameras
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we have decades of experience representing accident victims in seeking fair compensation. We will leave no stone unturned as we investigate how your accident happened and who is at fault for your injuries.
Statute of Limitations for Filing an Intersection Accident Claim in Baltimore
After an intersection crash, be aware that you have a limited amount of time to file a claim. If you do not file a claim against the at-fault driver before the statute of limitations runs out, you lose your legal right to recover damages.
In Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is 3 years from the date of the accident. This same statute of limitations applies to wrongful death claims for intersection collisions that cause a fatality.
Damages in a Red and Yellow Light Intersection Crash
A T-bone crash or rear-end collision can leave you with painful injuries and a long recovery ahead of you. Hopefully, you are able to recover fully from your accident. However, some accident victims are left with injuries and chronic pain for life. The initial injuries and complications may leave you unable to work and facing an uncertain financial future.
Our Baltimore personal injury attorneys will work tirelessly to help you recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages you have suffered. You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills, including surgery, ER bills, doctor visits, prescriptions, physical therapy, and medical devices
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
We will help you pursue the fair compensation you deserve to protect your financial future and help you get the medical treatment you need.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Baltimore Car Wreck Lawyers Today
Have you been involved in an accident at a red or yellow light in Baltimore? The at-fault driver deserves to be held responsible for their actions. You deserve compensation for your injuries. The dedicated legal team at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers is here to help you file a claim and pursue every last dollar you need.
Your initial consultation with WGK Personal Injury Lawyers is always free. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you never pay attorney fees unless we recover for you. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with our experienced Baltimore red and yellow light accident attorneys to review your case.
