By 
In the fast-paced streets of New York, running a red light can be quite a costly mistake, and it happens more often than you think. It ultimately leads to devastating injuries, significant damage to property, and complex questions about who’s at fault. If you’ve been injured in a red-light accident and you are now looking to navigate the complex and legal challenges ahead, the skills and expertise of an experienced Queens car accident lawyer are a must, and in this post, the team at Alex Yadgarov & Associates will walk you through everything you need to know.
What is New York law on red lights?
In New York, it is prohibited for drivers to run a red light, and they must come to a complete stop at a red light. Running a red light is a traffic violation where you will be slapped with a $50 fine, but the violation will not result in points on your driving license nor does it affect your insurance premiums.
How does a red-light collision affect your rights and compensation?
If you’ve been injured in a red-light collision, provided you have the proper personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, you should be able to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other relevant expenses. This is because New York is a no-fault state, and you are allowed to claim such compensation, regardless of who is to blame for the accident.
However, fault in a red-light accident will be considered when a party plans to seek more compensation from the other person’s liability insurance or files a personal injury lawsuit against the other party.
If a person is partially at fault for the accident and attempts to claim additional compensation or file a lawsuit, New York’s pure comparative negligence law will reduce their compensation by the extent of the fault that is connected to them in the accident. While the person’s compensation is reduced, it does not prevent them from claiming even a token amount, even if they are mostly to blame for the accident.
What should you do after a red-light collision?
To protect your rights and increase your chances of securing the best possible settlement, you should do (and not do) the following:
- Contact 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.
- Receive immediate medical treatment at the scene or at the hospital
- Take steps to document the scene and gather evidence (most traffic lights have cameras on them).
- Contact a Brooklyn car accident lawyer to learn about your rights and liabilities.
- Contact your insurance company to report the accident.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident until the authorities arrive.
- Do not refuse or delay medical treatment.
- Do not apologize or admit any fault for the incident.
- Do not provide any recorded statements about the accident without prior legal advice.
- Do not post about the accident on social media.
Conclusion
Whenever your injuries are serious, you must always call on the skills, expertise, and guidance of a New York car accident attorney to protect your rights and increase your chances of getting a favorable settlement, especially in red-light collision cases where who is to blame is always a point of contention. At Alex Yadgarov & Associates, we have experience handling all sorts of car accident cases, including red-light collision cases. Contact us, schedule a free consultation, and we will be there with you every step of the way to guide you through the complex insurance and legal challenges ahead.
Comments