Unfortunately, plenty of motor vehicle drivers attempt to speed to their next location, whether it includes getting to work, making it to an event, or taking their children to school. This rushing mentality often leads drivers to make negligent decisions, like running red lights. Running red lights can lead to disastrous outcomes, including car accidents, vehicular damages, injuries, and even fatalities.
The Dangers of Running a Red Light
Car accidents caused by a driver running a red light are particularly dangerous. This is because drivers are often traveling at higher speeds than the posted speed limit. Besides other drivers traveling in the intersection, both pedestrians and bikers are in danger when a driver is attempting to run a red light.
Determining Fault
Another burden a victim usually has after a motor vehicle accident is proving fault. In order to prove fault, the police officer needs to examine vehicular damage and interview witnesses. Examining the vehicle’s damage and the scene of the accident helps determine which driver is at-fault. Police officers should also look at any available camera or surveillance footage of the accident to help determine which driver is at-fault.
Amount of Damages for the Victim
The amount of damages a victim collects depends on a few factors. One of the factors is comparative fault. New York is just one state that has comparative fault laws. This means that the amount of damages a victim obtains is dependent on their contribution to the accident. For instance, if the victim is 25 percent at-fault, they can only obtain 75 percent of the total damages.
Damages are also determined by the total amount of economic and non-economic losses to the victim. For instance, the total amount of damages for a severely injured victim is higher than the amount for a victim who sustained no injuries; this is due to fewer medical bills, treatments, and lost wages. This is also true for other economic losses, including vehicular damages.
Non-economic losses include emotional trauma. This might be claimed as pain and suffering, which indicates a loss of enjoyment of life and being unable to perform daily activities. Emotional trauma from the accident might lead to a diagnosed mental illness, such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Similarly, trauma might be from a physical disfigurement due to a severe injury. In order to maximize both economic and non-economic losses, it is important to contact an experienced car accident lawyer.
Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano Help All Injured Car Accident Victims
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation. Victims are encouraged to contact a car accident lawyer in order to maximize their entitled damages for medical bills, lost wages, vehicular damages, and for their pain and suffering. Our skilled Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Eaton & Torrenzano help clients recover the necessary compensation to cover expenses. Contact us online or call us at 718-332-7766 for a free consultation regarding your case. With offices located in Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Hillsborough, New Jersey, we also proudly serve clients in Queens, the Bronx, Manhattan, Kings County, and Richmond County.