Running a red light or rushing through a yellow signal can cause a devastating crash. If you were injured in a traffic light accident in Jefferson County, WI, Eisenberg Law Offices S.C. can help you explore your legal options and seek compensation. Contact us at (608) 684-0668 for a free consultation with a Jefferson County red and yellow light accident lawyer.
Red and yellow light accidents can cause serious injuries, expensive medical treatment, and lasting financial challenges. Determining fault may require examining traffic signals, witness statements, and other evidence. When another driver’s negligence causes a collision, injured victims may be entitled to compensation under Wisconsin law.
How Eisenberg Law Offices, S.C. Can Help After a Traffic Light Accident in Jefferson County, WI
Proving who caused a traffic light accident in Jefferson County, WI, isn’t always straightforward. Drivers may offer conflicting accounts, and insurance companies may dispute who had the right of way. At Eisenberg Law Offices, S.C., our Jefferson County car accident lawyers bring over 140 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $100 million for injured clients.
Depending on the circumstances, we can:
- Examine police reports, photographs, and physical evidence
- Locate witnesses who saw the collision
- Obtain the available traffic camera or surveillance footage
- Review traffic signal timing and intersection conditions
- Consult accident reconstruction specialists when necessary
- Identify responsible parties and applicable insurance policies
- Handle communications and negotiations with insurers
- Prepare your case for litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Our Jefferson County personal injury lawyers can manage the legal details while you concentrate on your recovery. We will keep you informed throughout the process and help you make decisions about your case.
Reach out today to discuss your accident during a free case review.
How Do Red and Yellow Light Accidents Happen in Jefferson County?
Traffic signals are designed to keep vehicles moving safely through intersections. Unfortunately, not every driver follows them. Some motorists deliberately try to beat a changing light, while others fail to notice the signal because their attention is elsewhere.
Several behaviors can contribute to these collisions, including:
- Entering an intersection after the light turns red
- Accelerating toward a yellow light instead of slowing down
- Looking at a phone or another distraction
- Making a left turn without yielding to oncoming traffic
- Driving too fast for traffic or weather conditions
- Following another vehicle too closely
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Misjudging the distance or speed of approaching vehicles
A driver approaching a changing signal may have only a few seconds to react. When that driver makes a poor decision, other motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists can suffer the consequences.
Our attorneys can examine the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine whether another driver’s actions contributed to the crash.
What Does Wisconsin Law Say About Yellow Lights?
Many drivers assume that passing through a yellow light is always legal. Others believe they must stop immediately whenever a signal turns yellow. Wisconsin law is more nuanced.
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 346.37, a steady yellow signal warns drivers that the related green signal is ending or that a red signal will appear immediately afterward. A yellow light does not automatically prohibit a driver from entering an intersection. However, motorists must still drive with reasonable care and respond appropriately to traffic conditions.
For example, a driver who accelerates aggressively toward a changing light may create an unreasonable risk, even if the signal has not yet turned red.
Who Is Responsible for a Red or Yellow Light Collision?
In many cases, a motorist who enters an intersection against a red light may be responsible for the collision. Other situations are less clear, particularly when one driver was turning or multiple vehicles entered the intersection at nearly the same time.
To establish liability, your attorney may examine:
- Statements from drivers and eyewitnesses
- Traffic camera recordings
- Photographs of the intersection
- Police crash reports
- Damage to the vehicles
- Roadway markings and physical evidence
- Available traffic signal records
Determining fault requires looking at the entire sequence of events, not simply identifying which driver claims to have had the green light.
What Damages Are Available After a Red or Yellow Light Accident?
If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, Wisconsin law may allow you to pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Depending on your circumstances, these may include:
- Emergency treatment and hospital expenses
- Surgery, medication, and rehabilitation
- Anticipated future medical care
- Income lost while recovering
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Our attorneys can assess how the accident has affected you and seek compensation that accounts for both your immediate and long-term needs.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit in Wisconsin?
You generally have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit arising from a car accident in Wisconsin. For most traffic accident injuries, this period begins on the date of the collision.
That deadline does not apply to every situation. Certain claims, including those involving government entities, may have additional notice requirements or different filing deadlines.
After a traffic light accident, questions about who had the right of way can complicate an insurance claim. Witness memories may fade, and traffic camera footage may not remain available indefinitely. Taking action early can help preserve evidence and protect your ability to pursue a claim.
At Eisenberg Law Offices, S.C., we understand how stressful the aftermath of a serious collision can be. Our Jefferson County red and yellow light accident lawyers can review your situation, answer your questions, and help you decide what to do next. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.