The yellow light at a traffic signal can mean different things to drivers. While the purpose of the yellow light is to signal to approaching traffic that the light will soon change to red, not everyone takes this warning the same way. Some drivers slow down in anticipation of the change to red, while others hit the gas and try to make it through the intersection before they are forced to stop. These differing reactions contribute to thousands of car accidents every single day.
Car accidents that centered around driving behaviors when a traffic light turned yellow can also be contentious, as drivers may argue that they still had the right of way or that the other driver acted unexpectedly. We always recommend having a personal injury lawyer by your side if you are hoping to collect compensation after a car accident, but that statement is particularly true if your accident occurred at a yellow light. Below, we explain what you should do to protect your financial interests and earn an injury award if you are involved in a car accident at a yellow light in Minnesota.
Car Accident At A Yellow Light
Minnesota Statute 169.06 dives deeper into what is expected when a green light turns to yellow, and while you can read up on the law here, it essentially states that drivers are expected to proceed with caution in anticipation that the light will soon turn to red, which ceases the flow of traffic from the direction they are traveling. It tries to go into greater detail about right of way and fault, but in the real world, we know that a yellow light can lead to impulsive actions, and oftentimes there’s more nuance to who is truly at fault.
Fortunately, for minor fender benders at yellow lights, it doesn’t really matter who is at fault. That’s because Minnesota is a No Fault state when it comes to car accidents. We explain what No Fault means in greater detail in this blog, but essentially it means that you will first file for insurance benefits through your own automobile insurance provider, regardless of who was at fault for your accident. You will be able to collect up to $20,000 in medical expenses and $20,000 in non-medical expenses for damages that you’ve incurred as a result of your red light car accident.
In the event that you exceed one or both of these maximums, you’re going to need to prove that the other driver was at fault in order to collect compensation from their insurance provider, and the best way to do that is by working with a lawyer. Oftentimes car accidents come down to your word versus the word of the other driver, and if they can make a more convincing argument, even if they are lying, it may make it impossible for you to get the benefits you deserve. That’s why working with a personal injury lawyer who specializes in proving car accident claims can make all the difference for your case.
Some of the ways your lawyer will work to prove that the other driver holds the majority of the fault for your yellow light car accident include:
- Listening to your account of the accident
- Interviewing any witnesses to the accident
- Reviewing any traffic camera recordings of the accident
- Consulting with expert witnesses who can recreate the scene of the accident and provide more clarity on who holds the fault in the situation
- Reviewing police reports or body camera testimony about the accident
After looking at all the evidence, our team will work to build an airtight case to get you the compensation you deserve. We’ll then go to bat for you with the insurance company or before a judge to showcase that the other party was at fault and you are rightfully owed compensation.
When drivers act impulsively at yellow lights, an accident can happen in a moment’s notice, but you can protect your interests by working with a lawyer to get the financial compensation you are owed from your insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company. Don’t expect the other party to admit they were wrong, because many people assume they have the right of way at yellow lights, and that can make proving fault much more difficult. Trust your case to the experts so that you can focus on your health and your family while your case progresses.
For more information about winning your yellow light accident case, or to consult with a lawyer about a different type of car accident claim, give the team at Hey Workers a call today at (844) 439-9675.
