If you have been involved in a traffic light malfunction accident in Washington State, you may not know what to do next or whether or not you can receive car accident compensation. Accidents involving traffic light malfunctions are much more complex as this often means that you won’t be filing a car accident claim against another driver. However, it is still possible to get compensation after a car accident caused by faulty traffic lights if you follow the correct steps.
At NBF Accident Law, our auto accident attorneys in Washington State can assist you in seeking damages after a traffic light malfunction accident. Our attorneys will work tirelessly on your behalf, ensuring you are treated fairly and get the compensation you deserve.
How Traffic Light Malfunctions Can Cause Car Accidents in Washington
Whether a traffic light has gone out entirely or is malfunctioning erratically, this can create a serious risk for drivers and pedestrians. Without reliable traffic lights, drivers may not know what to do or how to get through the intersection safely.
Traffic light malfunctions can result in drivers simply cutting through in an attempt to get through the intersection without yielding to other vehicles. This can also increase the risk of rear-end collisions as the intersection may become backed up with more and more drivers who do not know how to get through. Aside from creating a risk of traffic light crashes among vehicles, this can also be very dangerous for pedestrians who rely on traffic signals to safely cross the road.
What to Do if a Traffic Light is Malfunctioning
It can be challenging to know what you are supposed to do if you come to a traffic light that is not working or malfunctioning. The good news is that the Washington State legislature provides some guidance when it comes to non-working traffic lights.
According to the Washington State legislature, a traffic light that is without power on all approaches and not displaying any type of color means that the intersection should be treated as an all-way stop or four-way stop. Because of this, drivers will need to yield to other vehicles like they would at a four-way stop, moving in a counter-clockwise flow.
Drivers should also report any traffic light malfunction by contacting the agency that manages the intersection or the city’s customer call center.
At a traffic light that is not working or malfunctioning, drivers should also use defensive driving, which is when you are using safe driving techniques for the purpose of anticipating any potential danger. Here are some examples of how you can practice defensive driving:
- Leave plenty of room between vehicles to avoid rear-end collisions.
- Avoid all distractions until you are out of the intersection.
- Signal appropriately to alert other drivers.
- Constantly check cars around you as you navigate the intersection.
What to Do After a Traffic Light Accident
If you are involved in a traffic light malfunction auto accident, you should behave in much the same way as you would in any other type of collision. Report the accident by calling 911, get checked out for any medical injuries, and exchange contact information with other involved drivers. You should also try to navigate your vehicle to a safe location to avoid the risk of causing further accidents.
It is also beneficial if you are able to start documenting evidence at the scene of the collision if you haven’t sustained any serious injuries. You should also try to get the contact information of any witnesses who can help you prove that the malfunctioning traffic light was the cause of the accident.
Other things you need to do after being involved in a traffic light collision is to alert your insurance provider about the accident as well as hire an auto accident attorney to help when you file your claim.
Getting Compensation After a Car Accident Caused by a Malfunctioning Traffic Light
When a traffic light malfunctions, this can result in liability issues since several different parties could be found to be at fault. For instance, it may not necessarily be the fault of the vehicle that struck your vehicle as the fault could be on government agencies or municipalities. Alternatively, the fault could also fall on third-party contractors who were hired to repair or maintain traffic lights.
Something else to consider about traffic light malfunction accidents is that you still have to provide evidence regarding how the accident occurred. You have to be able to prove that the malfunction was a direct cause of the accident and that it is not simply human error. This can be done with things like traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and police reports.
Other things to keep in mind is that there is usually a short period of time where you must file your claim if you are seeking compensation. You may also have to file an administrative claim first then move onto an auto accident claim if it is accepted.
One of the first things you need to do if you are involved in a traffic light malfunction accident is hire an auto accident attorney in Washington to represent you. They will know how these types of accident claims work and can help you follow the correct process to get the desired outcome. They can also help you if any issues come up, such as comparative negligence, which could result in you being found partially at fault for the accident.
Contact an Auto Accident Attorney at NBF Accident Law
Malfunctioning traffic light accidents come with a variety of unique challenges that set them apart from the average auto accident in Washington. That is why it is essential that you hire an attorney to assist you with your case, especially as you are determining liability and gathering evidence.
At NBF Accident Law, our car accident lawyers will fight purposefully on behalf of Washington car accident victims, ensuring they get the compensation they are entitled to. We can help you every step of the way, whether that be filing your claim, gathering evidence, proving liability, or negotiating with insurance providers.
Contact us today at 206-923-8888 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys in Washington.