In April 2021 a 19 year old University of Kentucky basketball player, Terrence Clarke, died in a car crash in Los Angeles. His death was a heartbreaking loss for his family, his team and his community. It is also a reminder of how quickly a routine drive can change lives, and how many serious crashes happen at intersections.
Red light crashes are common and avoidable
Federal data for 2016 counted more than 800 deaths and about 137,000 injuries in crashes where a driver ran a red light. Many of those crashes come down to a choice to rush, look at a phone, or push through a signal that just changed. They are the kind of crash that should not happen.
If a driver ran a light and hurt you
Call 911 and get medical care, even if you feel fine at first. Ask the officer to document the signal and the positions of the vehicles. Write down the names of witnesses and look around for cameras at nearby businesses, since that video is often erased within days. Take photos of the intersection, the damage and your injuries.
Fault in these crashes is often disputed, and each driver may say they had the green. Early evidence matters. Our guide on what to do after a car accident in Las Vegas covers the first steps, and you can read about how we handle car accident cases.
This post is general information and not legal advice.