What Happens if You Run a Red Light and Hit Someone?

Running a red light is a common enough action that drivers take, with a 2017 AAA Foundation survey finding that more than a third of those surveyed had run a red light in the last month. Running a red light can result in fatal accidents or severe injuries.

According to the AAA Foundation in 2019, 28% of car crash deaths were the result of a fatal accident involving a car running a red light.

Sometimes red lights are run out of a want to speed through light or distracted driving. This action significantly increases the possibility of serious injury or a fatal accident involving a car running a red light to occur. So, what happens if you run a red light and hit someone? Or if you are the person who is hit?

Below, we’ll go through a couple of different questions that relate to red light accidents and injuries.

What Happens If You Run A Red Light And Hit Someone?

For drivers, there is always the question “what happens if you run a red light and hit someone”. If you run a red light and you hit another person, you could face legal liabilities in a few different ways.

These legal liabilities include but are not limited to:

1. You could receive a traffic citation or possibly face criminal charges. Depending on the accident that was caused, the potential consequences might vary from paying a fine to the loss of your driver’s license.
2. Paying for damages might fall on you and your insurance. Since Ohio is a no-fault state, someone who has been in a car accident has the right to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance.
3. Post-car accident, your insurance may go up as a result of causing an accident.

How Much Do You Get From A Car Accident Settlement For A Driver Running A Red Light?

There is no specific range that we can offer in regard to a car accident settlement that you might receive. Settlements will depend on each individual case and a number of different factors related to the car accident itself.

What we can take a brief look at is what factors might affect the car accident settlement amount. These factors can include:

• Whether or not you receive any physical injuries
• The amount of damage that happens to your car and other property
• Who and what else is hurt from the accident
• Any further pain and suffering that affects you post-accident

Car accident settlements can vary in what they will cover in the aftermath of an accident. Sometimes they might cover only the cost of car damages or your injuries.

With the various factors that come about after a car accident, the potential settlement you might receive will be determined based on any number of the above.

Can You Sue Someone For Running A Red Light And Hitting You?

The long and short answer to this question is that yes, you can sue someone for running a red light and hitting you. As Ohio is a no-fault state, there will be the question of proving who was at fault for the accident itself. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer with expertise in handling car accidents is recommended here!

They will be able to provide expert advice in pursuing a potential lawsuit.

Alternatively, if the insurance claim that you file after the accident with the driver’s insurance company yields no results (negotiations can take time), you may potentially file a lawsuit in that case as well.

In either case, working with a personal injury lawyer like the experienced team at Heit Law, LLC can be beneficial as you will have help on your side.

Connect With An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

The aftermath of any kind of car accident can be a stressful and frightening time. Having a seasoned car accident lawyer on your side as you start the road to recovery can make a massive difference. The team at Heit Law, LLC is experienced in handling all aspects of personal injury cases. They can provide individualized service and legal advice unique to your case and circumstances.

Connect with us over the phone at 614-898-5300 or online to schedule your free consultation today!