Red-Light Cameras & Their Effect on Colorado Springs Accidents
Red-light cameras were intended to help reduce traffic accidents around intersections and improve the overall safety of the public, but studies have proven the opposite.
Injured in An Accident Involving a Red-Light Camera? A Colorado Car Accident Lawyer Can Assist You
An article by Phys.org stated, “Touted by supporters as a way to increase public safety by ticketing drivers who continue through red lights, the cameras actually shift traffic patterns: More drivers tend to brake harder and more abruptly, increasing fender-benders and other so-called “non-angle” collisions.”
The dangers of red-light cameras can be serious and have caused an increasing amount of collisions in the United States. Our Colorado car accident lawyers at Heuser & Heuser can help you file a claim for the damages and injuries you endured in a motor vehicle accident.
Red-Light Dangers
Red-light cameras were intended to prevent drivers from running red lights. However, they have caused drivers to slam on their brakes to avoid being ticketed. This is dangerous because when a driver slams on their brakes, it can result in a chain reaction and cause multiple cars to crash. Although red-light cameras have saved lives by encouraging people not to run red lights, they have also caused injuries and property damage.
The National Center for Statistics and Analysis (NCSA) shared these alarming statistics about how serious red-light running has become:
- 2 people died each day in red-light running crashes on average in the U.S. in 2015
- 60 people died each month in red-light running crashes
- 710 people died each year in red-light running crashes on average from 2011-2015
Tips After A Collision
After a car crash, the following steps are essential. Follow these tips on what to do in the moments after an accident:
- Check to see if anyone is injured
- Call emergency personnel
- If possible, move the vehicles over to the side of the road to prevent any further injuries
- Take photos of the accident from multiple angles
- Contact your insurance company
- Collect important information such as the other driver’s insurance and phone number
- Contact one of our attorneys to help you with your case
DMV Accident Reports
In some cases, accidents are not reported. If you have suffered damages and injuries, it can be challenging to receive compensation without an accident report. The DMV, or Department of Motor Vehicles, offers multiple resources on their website and lists these tips for filing a DMV accident report:
- Always file a DMV accident report if the other involved driver is uninsured
- File the report as soon as possible after the accident
- Include as much detail as possible in your report
- Keep a copy of the report for your own records
- If you are not required to file a report but the police were involved, request a copy of the report filed by the police for your records
If you would like to obtain a copy of your car accident report, you can do so by going to the DMV’s website.
Ways To Avoid Red-Light Running
Red-light cameras were intended to reduce accidents but collisions continue to occur. Safety should be the number one priority while driving on the roadways but, unfortunately, not everyone obeys traffic laws. For this reason, all drivers need to take safety into their own hands and obey the laws and regulations surrounding red-lights to help prevent accidents. Listed below are ways you can help bring safety to the highways and avoid running a red light:
- Be alert to your surroundings- It’s important to be aware of the cars around you, as well as upcoming lights that may require you to slow down or stop.
- Know the laws for yellow lights
- Watch your speed and obey the limit- Obeying the speed limit is vital. When you disobey the posted speed limit, it will take you longer to slow down when approaching a light.
- Never allow yourself to drive drowsy or distracted- Distractions are a major cause of accidents. If you are distracted while driving, it could cause you to stop late or drive past the light.
Drivers should not only worry about their safety, but also the safety of others. Implementing these tips could help you and other drivers avoid running red lights. Remember, major intersections are high-risk areas for crashes, so it’s essential to be alert while driving.
Additional Resources for Residents
Drive Smart Colorado is a website that offers resources to educate drivers on road safety. Additionally, their website includes multiple resource links to help further your awareness about safety on the roadways. Visit the links below to learn more:
- Colorado Department of Revenue
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- American Automobile Association
Building A Solid Case For You
Our team of experienced attorneys believes that building solid cases increases our clients’ chances of receiving compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. We know every case has unique needs and the circumstances surrounding each will vary. Our lawyers carefully evaluate every case by investigating crash photos, police reports, and witness accounts. We use these resources and more to help you receive the best compensation for your injuries and property damage.
Contact Our Firm Today
Our Colorado car accident lawyers at Heuser & Heuser understand how stressful automobile accidents can be and we are here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Red-light camera accidents are becoming increasingly common. If you were injured in this type of accident, we are ready to fight for you. Call our office today at (719) 520-9909(719) 520-9909 or fill out our free consultation form.
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know What My Case Is Worth?
There are a variety of things we look at when evaluating your case and determining its value. We look at how the accident occurred. We look at what sort of injuries you sustained. Do you have a permanent injury that will last the rest of your life? Are you going to have future medical bills? We look at lost wages. Did you lose your job? If you have permanent work restrictions as a result of the accident, you may not be able to find a job very easily in the future. These are some of the factors that we look at in evaluating a claim. Every case is unique and different. That’s why at our law firm, every case gets personal attention from the lawyer when it comes time to evaluate.
Why is it Important to Hire a Lawyer?
Insurance companies are in business for a reason: to make money. Anytime they are paying money on a claim, it means less money to their bottom line. They have literally hundreds of adjusters and hundreds of lawyers who are on their side trying to figure out how to prevent money from leaving their checkbooks. Quite frankly, you do need a lawyer to help you through this because your lawyer will make sure you’re properly compensated.
Do Cases Settle Without Going to Court?
Cases settle before going to trial 80 to 90 percent of the time. However, that doesn’t mean there’s not a lot of work involved in getting a case settled outside of court. Sometimes you have to file a lawsuit and do a lot of what I call “legal maneuvering” to get a case settled. That means we take depositions from witnesses to the accident, from police officers, and from your doctors. But, yes, most cases will settle prior to trial.
Do You Get Good Results for Your Clients?
We do get good results for our clients. We have settled hundreds, if not thousands, of cases where we’ve had large settlements. We’ve had substantial verdicts. We go to the mat for our clients if necessary. We’ll appeal cases. We’ll do whatever it takes to make sure our client is taken care of.
See What Our Clients Say
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions Or Schedule A Free Appointment? Click To Call (719) 520-9909
No Fee Unless You Win
Questions or Schedule A free Appointment? Click to Call (719) 520-9909
Our Attorneys
Gordon J. Heuser, Esq.
As a Colorado Springs native, Gordon has been practicing in Southern Colorado for 35+ years.…
Barkley D. Heuser, Esq.
Barkley Heuser is a Colorado native, and has lived in Colorado Springs for over 59…
Brennan D. Heuser, Esq.
Brennan Heuser is a Colorado Native who graduated from the University of Miami, Fl with…
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