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Drivers may behave recklessly when approaching yellow lights. Some speed to get through the intersection before the light changes. Others try to make left turns without keeping a lookout for oncoming traffic.
Determining fault in a yellow light crash in Oklahoma can prove challenging. Often, a driver making a left turn is responsible for causing this type of crash. However, factors such as whether an approaching driver was speeding can also play a role in deciding fault.
You may file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company if a negligent motorist caused a yellow light crash in Oklahoma. That said, proving they caused the collision may require conducting a thorough investigation to gather evidence. This is one of many reasons to seek legal assistance from a skilled Oklahoma car accident attorney.
What Are Common Causes of Yellow Light Accidents?
A yellow light accident may occur because someone is:
- Speeding to make it through an intersection before the light turns red
- Speeding to make a light and rear-ending a motorist who is slowing down to make a turn on yellow
- Making a left turn at a yellow light when oncoming traffic is too close
- Making a left turn without signaling
- Making a left turn in the wrong lane or an illegal area
Those are a few common examples. Yellow light crashes typically involve motorists making left turns. However, there are exceptions.
What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents at Yellow Lights?
A yellow light accident will usually take one of these forms:
- Rear-end collisions – A rear-end accident may occur if a driver slows down or stops at a yellow light to make a right turn. A driver behind them might be traveling quickly to beat the light. They may not stop in time to avoid colliding with the driver making a turn.
- T-bone or side-impact crashes – A left-turn crash occurs when a driver collides with oncoming traffic while trying to turn left through an intersection.
Car accident injuries resulting from these collisions can vary. Factors like the speed of the vehicles influence the severity and nature of injuries motorists can sustain.
Are There Steps I Can Take to Avoid a Yellow Light Accident in Oklahoma?
Ways to avoid yellow light crashes include:
- Always keeping a safe space between your vehicle and others
- Always signaling turns
- Waiting until you’re sure oncoming traffic doesn’t pose a threat before making a left turn into an intersection
- Never speeding to avoid a red light
Always pay attention to your surroundings when driving. The fact that you have a green light when approaching an intersection from a distance doesn’t mean the light won’t change before you reach it. Monitor green lights and respond accordingly when they change to yellow.
What Should I Do If I Have Been Involved in a Yellow Light Accident?
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, you likely called 911, exchanged insurance info, and got emergency medical treatment if you needed it. If you haven’t seen a doctor yet, you should as soon as possible. You may have suffered injuries that aren’t immediately symptomatic. Seeing the doctor protects your health and creates a medical record of any injuries you sustained in the accident.
Additionally, take the following steps after a yellow light crash in Oklahoma:
- Take pictures of the scene of the crash, damage to your vehicle, and any visible injuries.
- If there were witnesses to the accident, call to see if they will tell you what they saw.
- Obey all your doctor’s directions and keep every appointment until you are released from care.
- Keep a journal about your medical treatment and note any pain you’re feeling, as well as how your injuries affect your daily activities.
- Contact an Oklahoma car accident attorney so they can get started on your case.
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove the Other Driver Was At Fault for the Accident?
Various forms of evidence may show another motorist caused a yellow light accident, such as:
- Police reports
- Witness statements
- Any available footage of the crash
- The negligent motorist’s statements
- Physical evidence, such as your vehicle, that may show the angle of impact
- Photos of the crash scene
- Documentation of your injuries
An experienced car accident attorney will know how to obtain all available evidence to support your claim for compensation after someone else injured you in a collision.
What Compensation May I Be Owed for My Injuries After a Yellow Light Accident?
After a car accident in Oklahoma, you can pursue compensation for losses such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages if you can’t work while recovering from your injuries
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
Your lawyer can calculate your losses when pursuing a car crash settlement to ensure you demand the full amount.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Don’t wait too long to file a car accident claim. Under Oklahoma law, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. You won’t be able to pursue compensation in court if you miss the deadline.
Contact an Oklahoma Car Accident Lawyer
Helping prove fault is just one way the team at Edwards & Patterson Law may assist you after a yellow light crash. We can also simplify the process of pursuing compensation by handling all correspondence with the insurance company. Our negotiation skills can ensure you seek all the money you’re entitled to. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online or calling us today for a free case review.
