If someone ran a red light and caused your accident, they should pay for your injuries, not you. A Tampa car accident lawyer from our firm could help you seek financial compensation from the at-fault party. We have been helping Florida crash victims pursue justice since 2005, and we offer responsive legal care.
One of our experienced attorneys could investigate and get to the bottom of your Hillsborough County accident. With our legal team backing you, you won’t worry about handling any part of your case. From filing your insurance claim to gathering and preserving evidence, we have it all covered.
We will negotiate with the insurance company and defend you in court if they don’t settle. So call us today for a free consultation.
Your Tampa Red-Light Accident Lawyer Will Collect Evidence To Prove Negligence
According to Florida Statutes § 316.075, drivers facing a red light must come to a complete stop before entering an intersection. In addition, their vehicle must remain stopped until the light turns green.
This means that drivers are illegally in the intersection when they run a red light. Unfortunately, this situation often results in the red-light runner’s vehicle crashing into a vehicle that is lawfully passing through.
When this happens, we can hold the red-light runner accountable for their wrongdoing. In any Tampa personal injury lawyer case, evidence is important, and several forms of it can help establish the red-light runner’s negligence, such as:
The Accident Report
One critical piece of information your accident attorney can use to build your case is the official report of your crash. The law enforcement officer who investigated your accident makes this report.
According to Florida Statutes § 316.066, the officer must complete and submit the report within ten days of the incident. It includes the date, time, and place of the crash, the names, addresses, and insurance information of the parties involved. It may also include contact information for eyewitnesses.
If a law enforcement officer was not at the scene, you might need to complete a crash report under certain circumstances. You can learn more about accident reporting and report your collision online at the Florida Crash Portal.
Red-Light Cameras
Red-light cameras are legal in Florida. These surveillance devices photograph drivers who run stoplights. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV), local jurisdictions have more than 500 active red-light cameras.
When a driver fails to stop at a red light, the camera system captures evidence, such as the license plate number and a 12-second video of the violation. This data is then sent to law enforcement agencies, who can use it to issue citations or warnings for those who violate traffic laws.
If a red-light camera captured footage of your collision, your attorney could use it to prove a red-light runner caused the crash.
Other Liable Parties
Sometimes, a red-light accident occurs because a driver cannot control their vehicle. For example, faulty brakes or a blown tire could unintentionally cause a driver to run a stoplight.
If you or the other driver could not stop at the red light because of a vehicle defect, our red-light accident lawyer in Tampa can help you with a claim against the vehicle manufacturer or a parts manufacturer.
Problems with the road or traffic lights may also be to blame. For example, a signal may not have been functioning, or a vehicle could have been unable to stop due to road conditions. If one of these issues caused the crash, your case could be against the roadway owner.
Eyewitness Testimony
Contacting and speaking with witnesses, if there were any, can help point to the liable party. We will reach out to any witnesses and arrange interviews with them to hear their accounts. It is important to have neutral, third-party individuals involved in your case as their statements are objective and unbiased.
You May Deserve Awards To Help with Your Healing and More
The $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) mandated by Florida Statutes § 627.736 may not cover your medical expenses if you have severe injuries.
You may need to pursue a liability claim with the other driver’s insurance company to win damages for past and future medical care.
A personal injury lawyer from our firm can help you seek compensation for the following:
- Medical costs
- Home health aides
- Mobility aids
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation services
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages (in rare cases)
We Will Not Let Insurance Companies Pressure You Into an Unfair Settlement
A serious injury can mean a lengthy recovery. However, while you heal, you still have rent or a mortgage, and other bills. Insurance adjusters may use this knowledge to pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement. Don’t let them take advantage of you.
Instead, let one of our experienced personal injury attorneys fight for you. We know how insurance companies operate and how to counter their tactics. We will do everything we can to try to recover compensation on your behalf. However, we can bring a lawsuit if the insurer denies your claim.
Insurance negotiations can take time. The sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can move forward with your claim.
Running a Red Light Is Reckless Behavior
Failing to obey a stoplight is a dangerous driving offense. Red-light runners can cause severe harm to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Unfortunately, red-light accidents cause hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries every year, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS).
In addition, the IIHS found that red-light runners were more likely to have had previous crashes and convictions for driving under the influence (DUI).
Running a red light is reckless driving in and of itself. However, red-light runners also are more likely to be speeding, driving drunk, or driving without a license at the time of their accident. A citation for speeding or driving while intoxicated is proof of negligence.
Your car accident lawyer can use this and other evidence to show that another driver is responsible for your injuries.
Injuries Sustained in Red-Light Accidents
Red-light collisions can cause serious injuries to all involved. When someone runs a stoplight, they are doing more than just breaking a traffic law. They’re putting themselves and others at risk of injury or death.
Common car accident injuries include the following:
- Whiplash: This is one of the most common injuries sustained in automobile accidents. It occurs when the head and neck are suddenly jerked forward and backward, causing strain on the muscles and ligaments in the neck. Symptoms can include pain, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and difficulty concentrating.
- Soft tissue injuries: These common injuries include strains, sprains, and contusions to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Symptoms of soft tissue injuries can include pain, swelling, bruising, and limited range of motion.
- Broken bones: Breaks and fractures are common in red-light accidents. Broken bones can be extremely painful and require extensive medical treatment to heal.
- Head trauma: Injuries to the head can also occur in intersection crashes. Head injuries can range from mild to severe and cause various symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, headaches, nausea, and coma.
- Spinal cord injuries: These devastating injuries are also possible in red-light accidents. Spinal cord damage can cause paralysis and permanent disabilities.
Our Team Can Help
Our award-winning legal team is standing by, ready to serve you. An auto accident lawyer from our firm could get started on your Tampa case immediately. We work for our clients on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you owe us nothing unless we get you compensation.
We want to get you a settlement or court award, but we also want to help you get your life back. We can help you fix your car and schedule any necessary medical appointments.
We offer responsive legal care, which includes giving you frequent updates on your case and providing you with your attorney’s personal cell phone number.
Time Limit for Filing a Florida Personal Injury Claim
If you have been injured in a crash caused by a red-light runner in Tampa, Florida, it is important to understand the time limit for filing a claim. In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims based on negligence is four years from the accident date.
You may be barred from recovering any compensation if you do not file your personal injury lawsuit within that period. An experienced attorney can help you file the necessary paperwork and protect your rights.
What a Qualified Attorney Can Do for Your Case
After getting hit in an intersection, it’s important to seek the help of an experienced Tampa red-light accident attorney.
A qualified lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for any injuries or damages suffered as a result of the crash.
A Tampa red-light accident attorney can:
- Gather evidence to support your claim.
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
- File a personal injury lawsuit if necessary.
- Fight for you in court if an agreement cannot be reached.
- Ensure that all of your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
- A lawyer from our personal injury law firm could do all this and more to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call Now for Your Free, No-Risk Case Evaluation
It’s always best to take action quickly after an accident. A lawyer from the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine could pursue compensation on your behalf. When you speak with one of our experienced Tampa red-light accident lawyers, they will review the details of your case and advise you on the best course of action.
You do not have unlimited time to take action against a negligent party. Seek legal assistance now by contacting us for a free case evaluation.
We Can Help.
