What is a yellow light accident? When the traffic light changes just as they are about to enter an intersection, some drivers stop rather than try to beat the red. Other drivers will speed up to rush through, a decision that could result in a yellow light accident.
If you’ve been injured when an accident occurred at a yellow light in St. Louis, Missouri, you could be owed compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, and more. Yellow light accident legal representation is the best way to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact Sumner Law Group, LLC, for a free consultation with an intersection collision lawyer in St. Louis. There are no fees unless we win for you.
What Happens When the Light Turns Yellow?
Missouri law treats yellow lights as warnings to drivers that a red light is about to follow. A yellow light means use caution. Vehicular traffic cannot enter the intersection at a red light and must come to a complete stop before reaching the crosswalk or stop line. A driver speeding up to get into the intersection before the light turns red risks causing a car accident. If the light turns red while the driver is still in the intersection, other drivers will have the right of way, and the driver who ran the light could be responsible if a collision occurs.
The Dangers of Entering an Intersection on a Yellow Light
It is dangerous for a driver to enter an intersection after the light has turned yellow because it could turn red before they make it through. The driver could cause an accident if other drivers or pedestrians come out into the intersection at the same time.
The risk increases if the driver speeds in an attempt to beat the light or leaves insufficient time to slow down and stop by the time the light changes. A driver who turns left into the path of oncoming traffic on a yellow signal also faces an increased risk of a crash. A distracted driver may not even notice that a light is turning yellow in time to stop. Rear-end accidents are another risk, especially when distracted drivers fail to take note of yellow lights. In some cases, a driver may stop at a yellow, but the vehicle behind them might speed up instead, leading to a rear-end collision. Any of these situations could cause severe car accidents.
Who Is at Fault in a Yellow Light Accident in St. Louis?
As a general rule, a driver who runs a red light is responsible for any traffic accident that results. However, other factors can affect the determination of fault in a yellow light accident, such as:
- Right of way – A driver or pedestrian with a yellow light has the right of way over someone with a red light. A driver who enters an intersection on a red light does not have the right of way and would likely bear responsibility for any accident with someone proceeding on a yellow.
- Shared negligence – If both drivers were driving negligently – for example, if the other driver turned left on a yellow signal in front of a driver proceeding straight on a yellow light – then they may both be partially at fault for the car accident.
What Damages Can I Recover in a St. Louis Yellow Light Accident?
A yellow light accident can leave you with serious injuries, such as:
- Broken bones or fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Soft tissue damage in the back, joints, and other parts of the body
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Deep cuts and bruises
- Burns
Injuries like these can prevent you from working, force you to seek medical treatment, and cause stress as well as pain and suffering. You should not have to pay the price of someone else’s poor decisions. Our yellow light accident attorneys in St. Louis can help you pursue compensation for:
- Medical expenses, including the cost of emergency transport, surgeries, hospital stays, ongoing care, and physical or occupational therapy
- Lost wages, including tips, bonuses, commissions, and other benefits you could not earn while you were injured
- Diminished earning capacity if the injuries have an adverse effect on your career
- Physical and emotional pain you suffered because of the accident
- Lost quality of life if your injuries prevent you from engaging in your favorite activities
- Property damage, including the repair or replacement of your vehicle
What to Do If You Are Involved in a Yellow Light Accident
The first step after a yellow light accident is to contact the police and emergency medical services.
Seek medical attention right away after a yellow light accident. You might feel like your injuries are minor at first, only to discover later on that they were much more serious than you initially realized. Getting medical attention early is the best way to make sure your injuries are dealt with correctly and promptly.
You should request a copy of the accident report from the police, as it may prove important later when determining legal responsibility. Your attorney can use the police report as well as other evidence to establish the facts about the accident and who was at fault.
Seek legal assistance for a yellow light collision from Sumner Law Group, LLC, as soon as possible. It can be difficult and stressful to determine who was at fault in an accident and pursue fair compensation from them. Our yellow light accident attorneys can handle the stressful chores you would otherwise have to deal with yourself.
Contact Our Car Crash Lawyers for Help After Yellow Light Accidents
If you’ve been hurt in a yellow signal car crash in St. Louis, you need to rest and give your body a chance to heal. That’s much easier to do when you can stop worrying about seeking compensation and dealing with the insurance company and leave everything to an experienced attorney.
How can you find high-quality legal representation for intersection accidents? By picking a law firm with a winning track record and a reputation for taking on and beating the big insurance companies. You need a law firm that is willing to do whatever it takes to pursue the maximum compensation you deserve from your accident claim.
Sumner Law Group, LLC, is a boutique litigation firm whose lawyers have more than 50 years of combined experience handling legal claims related to car accidents. With multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements to our credit, we have a reputation for not backing down – and the insurance companies know it.
If you’ve been in a car crash at a yellow light in St. Louis or surrounding areas of Missouri, contact us today for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer. There are no fees unless we win.
