Who Is at Fault for a Yellow Light Car Accident in North Carolina?
If you suffered critical injuries in a car accident, establishing liability is essential if you hope to recover maximum restitution for your damages. However, when a yellow light causes your accident, culpability may not always be clear.
Your North Carolina car accident lawyer will need to carefully examine the evidence in your case to determine who is responsible for your yellow light car accident injuries. Let’s explore the parties often found culpable for car accidents caused by yellow lights and the evidence you will need to prove liability in your insurance and civil claims.
How Does Liability Work After a Car Accident Caused By a Yellow Light
To determine who is at fault for your yellow light car accident, your attorney will first need to review how your accident occurred. There are generally two ways that yellow light car accidents happen; these include left-turn accidents and rear-end accidents.
In left-turn accidents, the driver attempting to make a left-hand turn fails to give the right of way to oncoming traffic. This can often result in T-bone or side-impact collisions. Here, the driver attempting to make the left-hand turn would be liable, as they did not have the right of way when making the left-hand turn if the light was yellow.
Rear-end yellow light car accidents occur when the driver approaching the yellow light slows or comes to a complete stop, while the driver behind them fails to stop, striking the vehicle from behind. Here, the driver who struck the slowed or stopped vehicle would be liable, as they did not allow for enough stopping distance.
In each of these cases, unsafe or negligent driving can also play a part in the cause of these yellow light car accidents. Distracted driving, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving while fatigued, speeding, making illegal turns, tailgating, and other types of reckless driving indicate that the negligent driver is responsible for yellow light car accidents.
Evidence to Support Fault in a North Carolina Yellow Light Car Accident
To prove fault in a North Carolina yellow light car accident, your attorney must gather considerable evidence to support your insurance and tort claims. Some of the most powerful evidence could include:
- Video footage from nearby residences or businesses
- Photos of the accident scene including property damage and skid marks
- Photos of all victim’s injuries
- Photos or a video from traffic lights
- Police and accident reports
- Medical records
- Testimony from accident reconstructionists
- Witness statements
Contact a North Carolina Car Accident Attorney
When you are involved in a car accident caused by confusion at a yellow light, you may be entitled to total compensation for your damages. Get a trusted Raleigh car accident lawyer working on your case.
Call Nagle & Associates, P.A. to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation today. Fill out our convenient contact form or give our office a call at (800) 411-1583 to find out what is next for your claim.