Red light accident fatalities are on the rise, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Hundreds of people are killed in red light accident collisions, partly due to the decrease in communities with red light camera programs. Without red light speed cameras in place, drivers are more likely to run red lights and cause potentially fatal accidents. Our Atlantic City car accident lawyers are dedicated to helping victims of red light accidents obtain the financial compensation they deserve.
Red Light Camera Programs
The majority of red light accidents occur at intersections. According to the president of the IIHS, red light camera programs are crucial to preventing red light accidents. When the cameras are turned off, there are more crashes, injuries, and fatalities. In July 2012, 533 communities had red light programs, whereas in July 2018, that number dropped to 421. The IIHS notes that in 2016, there was a 17 percent increase in red light accident fatalities from 2012.
Red light camera programs are being increasingly discontinued due to a reduction in camera citations, financial issues, and community opposition. However, the IIHS, AAA, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, and the National Safety Council urge communities to use automated enforcement to help save lives. A 2016 IIHS study concluded that shutting down red light cameras resulted in a 30 percent higher crash rate than in cities where cameras remained active.
The agencies created a red light camera checklist to assist communities in implementing successful red light programs. The checklist includes recommendations for planning, oversights, and eliciting public engagement, such as:
- Assess intersections where red light running occurs
- Evaluate road design and signal timing
- Organize a community advisory committee of stakeholders, including law enforcement, victim advocates, school officials, and residents
Proving Fault in Red Light Accidents
New Jersey follows the modified comparative rule, which allows a plaintiff to recover damages only if they were less than 50 percent at fault for the accident. If a defendant is more than 50 percent responsible, then the plaintiff may be able to recover the full amount of damages available, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
To recover damages for injuries sustained in a car accident, victims must prove that the other driver was at fault. In red light accidents, the at-fault driver usually claims they had the green light as well; therefore, it can be difficult to persuade insurance adjusters to accept claims for red light accidents.
Atlantic City Car Accident Lawyers at the D’Amato Law Firm Advocate for Those Injured in Red Light Accidents
If you were injured in a red light accident, contact an Atlantic City car accident lawyer at the D’Amato Law Firm. Our skilled attorneys represent victims of all types of accidents, including those involving red lights. We can help ensure that your rights are protected and fight to obtain the financial compensation you are entitled. From our office in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, we represent clients throughout South Jersey, including Atlantic City. For a free consultation, please contact us online or call us at 609-926-3300.