What to do When Traffic Signals are Malfunctioning? 1 way to Help Your Safety
Traffic signals are designed to help control the flow of traffic at intersections.
Traffic signals can increase the safety of both vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic was originally controlled by police officers.
There are three traffic signals with assigned colors to indicate what a driver should do:
- A red light signals that the driver should stop.
- A yellow light signals that the driver should slow down, as the light is about to turn red.
- A green light signals that the driver should continue to travel through the intersection.
If you are turning left on green, you should yield to traffic on the other side of the road.
Just like any other form of technology, there’s a risk of malfunction. It’s not a rarity to see traffic signals like lights down.
Signs of inoperable traffic signals include:
- A blinking red light
- The light getting stuck on one color
- No light at all
In the event of malfunctioning traffic signals, drivers should treat the light like a stop sign. At a four-way intersection, this means whoever comes to the light first would have the right of way.
If more than one vehicle comes to the light at the same time, the car who arrived first still has right of way, then the other cars should proceed in a clockwise order. Not following this procedure can lead to car accidents.
Those unfamiliar with the proper way to proceed at downed traffic signals may go as another car drives forward, colliding with them on impact.
There are other potential causes of car accidents at malfunctioning traffic signals, including:
- Distracted drivers: someone focusing on a text message may not realize the proper time from them to proceed.
- Drunk drivers: a person under the influence of alcohol may have slower reaction times, or a difficulty reacting when they should.
- Drowsy drivers: lack of sleep can greatly alter a driver’s ability to stay focused.
Car accidents from not following traffic signals can result in a number of injuries, including:
- Head injuries that cause brain hemorrhaging
- Concussions
- Chronic back pain that leads to long term injuries
- Cuts and lacerations that scar skin or rip tendons
- Broken neck or other severe neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries/paralysis
- Whiplash
- Internal injuries that hurt vital organs such as your kidneys, liver, etc.
If you were hit by a car that disobeyed traffic signals, you must prove the other driver’s fault in the accident. Proving fault is done with evidence such as:
- Photos of the accident scene
- Videos of the accident scene
- A police report
- Medical records to report injuries
- Journal of your recovery
- Witness reports
Even with proper evidence, accident recovery can still be a grueling process. The defendant’s insurance company will try various tactics to minimize your claim.
Remember, their goal is to protect their client. They don’t want you to receive proper compensation, if any at all.
In the event of a car accident after improper use of traffic signals, hiring a Los Angeles car accident attorney can benefit you and your case.
At C&B Law Group, our LA car accident attorneys are prepared to assist you following a crash. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience helping car accident victims with similar cases to you.
C&B Law Group has recovered millions of dollars for satisfied clients. We want to help you recover the maximum compensation following your personal injury.
You may be able to recover economic or non-economic damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain
- Suffering
If you were injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to get in contact with the LA attorneys at C&B Law Group.
We were on a contingency basis, and your initial consultation is free. Reach out to us today!
