Red means stop, green means go and yellow means caution. These simple rules tell us all we need to know when approaching an intersection with a traffic light. And we typically learn this lesson well before we take our first driving course. Yet people still fail to respond properly to traffic signals, which leads to far too many accidents in Pennsylvania every year.
Accidents caused by drivers who run red lights can be especially serious. If an impaired or distracted driver pulls into an intersection against a light while traveling at full speed, he or she could collide full-on with another vehicle. Such an impact could inflict serious or even fatal injuries upon the occupants of the struck vehicle.
Often, in an effort to receive an appropriate level of compensation for such an act of negligence, a victim may file a civil suit against the responsible driver. In building a case, it is very important to collect as much evidence as possible to demonstrate liability. And in situations involving the running of red lights, footage captured by red-light cameras could provide very useful evidence.
The use of cameras posted on poles at intersections has become more common over the years. And if you were struck in such an intersection, you may be able to secure footage of the incident. However, be aware that in Pennsylvania, the footage will only be archived for a certain amount of time. This time frame can be as little as 30 days, depending on where the accident occurred.
If you or a family member have been injured by someone who ran a red light and you wish to take legal measures, it is very important to contact a lawyer in a timely fashion. The sooner the attorney can start working on your case, the better chance he or she has of successfully collecting all the available evidence. The stronger your case, the more likely it is you will receive a fair settlement.