On the road, the symphony of traffic signals plays a crucial role in maintaining order. However, when drivers fail to obey these signals, the harmony can quickly turn into chaos.
At the CEO Lawyer, we’re here to help you navigate life after an accident. Whether you’ve been involved in an accident, received a traffic citation, or are just seeking clarity on your legal options, you’ve come to the right place.
So whether you missed a light or were involved in an accident with another driver who failed to obey a traffic signal — contact our team today. We’re here to protect your rights and help you secure any compensation you may be owed for your damages.
New clients can schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with no obligation today by calling (404) 777-8800.
When Should I Reach Out to an Atlanta Failure to Obey Traffic Signals Accident Attorney?
You should consider reaching out to a failure to obey traffic signals accident attorney whenever you’ve been involved in a car accident with someone who disregarded a traffic signal.
Whether you’re a driver, pedestrian, or cyclist, if you’ve suffered injuries or property damage as a result, legal assistance could make — or break — your road to compensation. Similarly, if you’ve received a traffic citation related to a signal violation, an attorney may be able to help you navigate the most important next steps.
Right from your initial consultation, they can assess your claim and help you determine liability. From there, they can even guide you through the legal process and protect your rights (and interests) all the while.
What Kinds of Traffic Signal Accidents Warrant the Help of an Attorney?
Not all traffic signal accidents demand legal intervention, but there are some situations where seeking an attorney’s guidance is not just advisable — it’s essential.
Here are some scenarios where you’ll want to reach out to an attorney right away:
- Serious Injuries: If you or others involved in the accident suffer severe injuries like head trauma, spinal cord injuries, or broken bones, it’s crucial to consult an attorney. These injuries often come with significant medical expenses and long-term care needs.
- Wrongful Death: Tragically, some traffic signal accidents result in death. In such cases, family members should contact an attorney to explore the possibility of a wrongful death claim.
- Disputed Liability: When there’s a dispute over who’s at fault for the accident, it’s essential to have legal representation. An attorney can gather evidence and help establish liability.
- Pedestrian or Cyclist Injuries: Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable to accidents caused by signal violations. If you’re a pedestrian or cyclist injured by a vehicle, an attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries.
- Property Damage: Significant property damage to your vehicle, such as a totaled car or expensive repairs, may mean you’ll need to secure legal assistance if you want to ensure you’re able to negotiate a fair settlement with insurance companies.
- Traffic Citation: After an accident, if you’ve received a traffic citation (especially if it involves reckless driving or DUI charges), you need to consult an attorney as soon as possible. They can help you protect your rights when it comes time to investigate the claim, and you won’t want to move forward without their guidance.
- Insurance Claim Denial: If your insurance claim is denied or delayed, you’ll want to speak to a Atlanta personal injury lawyer about where to go from here.
At the end of the day, the mere decision to file a claim should be enough to push you to consider speaking with an attorney. If you know that your accident has left you with expensive medical bills or repairs, and you know that someone else’s negligence caused the accident, there’s no reason not to ask an attorney to fight on your behalf.
How to Determine Fault in an Accident Caused by Someone’s Failure to Obey Traffic Signals
After an accident, you may feel convinced you know exactly who is to blame. Well, even in the most clear-cut scenarios, you’ll need to follow a few steps to ensure you’re filing a strong claim.
Here are some of the most important steps and factors to consider in Atlanta:
- Establishing the ‘At-Fault’ Party: The first step is to identify the driver whose violation of traffic signals caused the accident. If you can trace the incident back to a simple example, like a forgotten turn signal or egregious red light, make sure to note this in your police report.
- Investigating Circumstances: After the accident, legal authorities and insurance companies will both take the time to thoroughly investigate the accident. They’ll examine evidence such as witness statements, traffic camera footage, and police reports to establish a logical sequence of events that led to the accident.
- Right-of-Way Rules: Atlanta’s traffic laws dictate right-of-way rules at intersections controlled by signals. Drivers must obey these rules, and violations can indicate fault. For example, a driver running a red light is almost always considered at fault.
- Establishing Negligence: Determining negligence is typically at the core of ‘proving fault.’ Establishing that the at-fault party’s actions breached their duty of care and directly led to the accident will be one of the most important steps in building your claim.
- Comparative Negligence: In cases where both parties share some degree of fault, Georgia’s comparative negligence system comes into play. If you have contributed to the accident but are found less than 50% responsible, you can still seek compensation, although the amount may be reduced based on your level of fault.
The easiest way to stay one step ahead is to document the accident as thoroughly and as soon as possible. If you can, begin right there at the scene of the crime.
Collect witness statements (and contact information from said witnesses) and make sure to note any weather or surrounding distractions that may have impacted the accident. Be sure to contact the authorities so you can secure a police report, and take as many photographs of the scene and damages as you can.
What Legal Codes Govern Atlanta’s Right-Of-Way Rules?
While determining right-of-way may seem subjective, it’s actually been boiled down to a science.
Atlanta’s right-of-way rules at traffic signals are governed by the Georgia Code Title 40, Chapter 6, Article 3, which deals with “Uniform Rules of the Road.”
Within this article, specific sections outline right-of-way rules at intersections controlled by traffic signals. These rules dictate when drivers must yield the right of way and how they should proceed when approaching and passing through signal-controlled intersections.
Key sections of the Georgia Code that address right-of-way at traffic signals include:
- C.G.A. § 40-6-20: This section provides a general overview of how drivers should obey traffic signals, including requirements for stopping at red signals and yielding the right of way when facing a red or yellow signal.
- C.G.A. § 40-6-21: Here, you’ll find the rules for right-of-way at a green signal, emphasizing that a driver facing a green signal has the right of way over vehicles and pedestrians in or approaching the intersection.
- C.G.A. § 40-6-22: These are the rules for right-of-way when facing a flashing yellow signal. They note that drivers must be sure to slow down and proceed with caution.
- C.G.A. § 40-6-23: This section addresses the rules for right-of-way when facing a flashing red signal and says that drivers are required to come to a complete stop before proceeding.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
After any car accident, dealing with insurance companies can be a real pain. Whether you’re rehashing the incident with your own company or struggling to get a hold of the other driver’s team, the situation can often feel overly complicated and rightfully frustrating.
In most cases, here are the steps your insurance claim will typically follow:
- Reporting the Accident: The first step is to report the accident to your insurance company and the at-fault party’s insurer if known.
- Claim Investigation: Next, insurance adjusters will investigate the accident, review your evidence, and assess any damages.
- Determining Liability: The insurers will then determine who is at fault for the accident. This assessment will largely determine how much compensation you’re entitled to, so it’s important to submit as much evidence as possible ahead of the decision.
- Evaluating Damages: Insurers will assess the extent of your injuries and property damage to calculate the value of your claim.
- Negotiations: At this point, insurance companies will typically make an initial settlement offer — but these offers are often lower than what you may deserve. So, from here, your attorney may decide to negotiate with the insurance company to help you secure a stronger settlement.
How Can an Atlanta Failure to Obey Traffic Signals Accident Law Firm Help Me?
Whether you’ve just gotten out of your accident or found your claim disputed, it’s important to contact our team as soon as possible.
At the CEO Lawyer, we can help you review every step that led up to your accident to pinpoint where — or whether — someone else’s negligence may be to blame. New clients can schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with no obligation today by calling (404) 777-8800.
So what are you waiting for? Reach out to our team today to find out how we can help you secure compensation for your damages.
