Houston Car Accident Attorneys: Red Light and Stop Sign Violation Crashes
You had the green light. You proceeded into the intersection legally and safely. Then a driver who ran the red light slammed into you—a completely preventable crash caused by someone who couldn’t be bothered to follow basic traffic rules. Traffic signal violations cause some of the most dangerous accidents on Houston roads by creating high-speed intersection collisions with no warning. Our Houston car accident attorneys handle red light and stop sign violation cases throughout Harris County, understanding that these crashes produce severe injuries and clear liability. The auto accident attorneys Houston at Carabin Shaw fight aggressively for victims of traffic signal violators who demonstrate blatant disregard for the rules that keep everyone safe.
The Danger of Traffic Signal Violations
Traffic signals exist to manage intersection conflicts, ensuring vehicles from different directions don’t occupy the same space simultaneously. When drivers ignore these signals, catastrophic collisions result. Our Houston car accident lawyers see the devastating outcomes when drivers blow through red lights or roll through stop signs into crossing traffic. The car accident attorneys Houston at our firm understand why these violations are so dangerous—victims with the right of way have no reason to expect cross-traffic and no opportunity to avoid collisions caused by violators entering their paths without warning.
Intersection Collision Dynamics
Intersection crashes typically produce T-bone or broadside collisions, striking vehicles at their most vulnerable points. Vehicle sides offer minimal protection compared to fronts and rears. These collision geometries cause disproportionately severe injuries.
High-Speed Impacts
Drivers running red lights often travel at significant speeds—either attempting to beat changing signals or simply ignoring them entirely. These speeds transfer tremendous collision forces to victims’ vehicles and bodies.
No Defensive Opportunity
Drivers with green lights have no reason to anticipate cross-traffic. They can’t see red light runners approaching from perpendicular directions until the moment of impact. This lack of warning means victims can’t brake, swerve, or take any defensive action.
Types of Traffic Signal Violations
Different traffic signal violations create collision risks.
Running Red Lights
Entering intersections after signals turn red represents the clearest traffic signal violation. Whether drivers misjudge signal timing, try to beat yellow lights, or simply ignore signals entirely, entering against a red light creates immediate collision danger.
Running Stop Signs
Stop signs require a complete stop before proceeding. Drivers who roll through without stopping, or who stop but proceed without yielding to traffic with the right of way, cause intersection collisions.
Failing to Yield on Yellow
While yellow signals mean caution rather than stop, drivers must stop if they can do so safely. Accelerating through yellow lights when stopping was possible demonstrates negligence when collisions result.
Right Turn on Red Violations
Right turns on red are permitted only after a complete stop and only when the turn can be made safely. Failing to stop, failing to yield to pedestrians, or turning into traffic creates collision risks.
Protected Turn Violations
Left turn arrows provide protected turning phases. Drivers who turn against signals or continue turning after arrows expire create collision risks with oncoming traffic.
Proving Traffic Signal Violations
Establishing that defendants violated traffic signals strengthens claims substantially by proving clear negligence.
Red Light Camera Evidence
Many Houston intersections have red light cameras capturing violations. These photographs provide objective evidence of signal colors when vehicles entered intersections.
Traffic Camera Footage
Even intersections without red light enforcement cameras may have traffic monitoring cameras. We obtain footage showing traffic signal states and vehicle movements.
Witness Testimony
Other drivers waiting at intersections observe signal colors and which vehicles violate them. Their testimony establishes who had the right of way.
Signal Timing Data
Traffic signal systems log timing data. This information establishes signal phases at specific times, helping prove violations.
Physical Evidence
Vehicle damage locations, debris patterns, and final rest positions help accident reconstructionists determine collision sequences and which vehicle entered the intersection improperly.
Police Reports
Responding officers investigate intersection crashes and often reach conclusions about signal violations based on evidence and witness statements.
Injuries from Traffic Signal Violation Crashes
The T-bone collision dynamics of signal-violation crashes result in severe injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Lateral head impacts with windows, pillars, and intruding vehicles cause brain injuries ranging from concussions to severe trauma.
Spinal Injuries
Side-impact forces stress spines laterally, causing fractures, disc injuries, and spinal cord damage.
Torso Trauma
Rib fractures, organ damage, and internal bleeding result from door intrusion into passenger compartments.
Extremity Injuries
Arms and legs nearest the impact sides suffer fractures, crush injuries, and in severe cases, amputation.
Fatal Injuries
Traffic signal violation crashes kill at elevated rates due to high speeds and vulnerable impact geometries.
Liability in Signal Violation Cases
Traffic signal violations establish negligence per se—automatic breach of the duty of care.
Negligence Per Se
When drivers violate traffic laws designed to protect safety, their violations constitute negligence as a matter of law. Signal violations are clear examples—these laws exist specifically to prevent intersection collisions.
Comparative Fault Arguments
Even with clear signal violations, insurance companies may argue that victims share fault for failing to avoid collisions. We counter these arguments by demonstrating our clients had no reasonable opportunity to perceive and avoid violators entering their paths without warning.
Compensation for Signal Violation Victims
Victims of traffic signal violations deserve full compensation for their injuries.
Medical Expenses
All treatment costs from emergency care through long-term rehabilitation. Signal violation crashes often cause severe injuries requiring extensive medical care.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Income lost during recovery and any permanent reduction in earning ability from lasting injuries.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress. The severity of intersection crash injuries typically supports substantial non-economic damages.
Wrongful Death
When signal violations cause fatal crashes, we pursue wrongful death claims for surviving families.
Fighting for Intersection Crash Victims
Traffic signals represent the most basic safety rules—stop on red, go on green. Drivers who can’t follow these simple rules and cause crashes deserve full accountability. Our Houston car accident lawyers at Carabin Shaw pursue maximum compensation for victims of traffic signal violators.
If you were injured by a driver who ran a red light or stop sign in Houston, contact us today. We’ll gather the evidence, prove the violation, and fight for the compensation you deserve.