Buffalo, New York, Car Accidents At Yellow Lights

Jed Dietrich, Esq., Recognized by Numerous Legal Institutions as an Accomplished Litigator, and His Elite Team of Attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., Commended by Expertise LLC as Best Car Accident Lawyers, Aggressively Prosecute Cases to Obtain Unbeatable Results for Victims Injured in Crashes at Yellow Lights in Buffalo, New York, Throughout New York State, and Beyond.

Traffic lights are critical for keeping motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians safe. These signals prevent many accidents by controlling the flow of traffic at dangerous intersections. Every driver knows that they are supposed to stop at red lights. Yellow lights are intended to caution drivers to slow down because it confirms that a red light will soon follow. Thus, drivers should realize that the green light has ended and prepare to stop. However, some drivers completely disregard yellow lights and even speed through them just to avoid stopping. An interesting article in the Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering highlights the dilemma that drivers face when approaching yellow lights. Every driver must decide whether they can stop safely before entering the intersection. If they apply their brakes too fast, it could result in a rear-end collision. Nevertheless, when a driver proceeds through the intersection, they could get into a right-angle crash.

Suppose that you, or a family member, were unfortunate enough to be involved in a collision at a yellow light. These types of accidents are often complex, and it may be difficult to determine who should be held responsible. That is why you need a highly experienced Buffalo, New York, car accident attorney who knows how to investigate crashes and establish liability. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s top rated attorneys can sort out the details of your accident and demonstrate liability relatively straightforwardly. The best part is that you can hire us without ever paying any upfront fees. We are happy to take our clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will never pay anything until we obtain money for you.

At the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., our best of the best attorneys take great pride in fighting for the rights of victims and their loved ones. Our seasoned team has extensive knowledge and vast resources to fight your claim until the end. Since 1999, Jed Dietrich, Esq. has solely litigated injury claims, including numerous car accidents at intersections. Jed Dietrich, Esq. has obtained more than $175 million in judgments and settlements for his clients. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s highly qualified lawyers would be honored to offer you a complimentary case evaluation and consultation. We are available 24/7 at (716) 839-3939 or by completing our online consultation form. When you are ready to be represented by the finest attorneys in Western New York, please contact us.

As mentioned above, yellow lights are meant to prepare drivers to stop when the traffic signal turns red. Responsible drivers typically slow down and use extra caution when a signal changes to yellow. However, not all motorists view yellow lights as a warning. Negligent drivers may see a yellow light and accelerate to avoid stopping. While just about every motorist would like to avert an unnecessary delay, these actions can contribute to devastating accidents. Some of the most prevalent causes of yellow light accidents include:

1. Speeding or going too fast for the given road conditions;
2. Running the light after it had already turned red;
3. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
4. Distracted driving, like texting, talking on the phone, or sipping on coffee;
5. Driving while fatigued or sleep-deprived;
6. Road rage, tailgating, or reckless driving;
7. Slippery road conditions, such as ice, snow, or rain;
8. Low visibility conditions, like fog, blizzards, or sun glare;
9. Obstructions and poor roadway design; and
10. Intermittent or malfunctioning traffic signals.

Additionally, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) highlights how improperly timed yellow light intervals can significantly increase the risk of intersection-related accidents. Intervals that are too brief can cause drivers to unintentionally run red lights because they are unable to stop on time. On the other hand, when a yellow light is too long, drivers may not slow down because they treat it as an extension of a green light. The speed of turning and approaching cars, vehicle deceleration, intersection geometry, and driver’s perceptions must all be carefully considered when calculating a yellow light’s timing.

When a signal turns yellow, it poses a unique risk to even the most cautious drivers. Even the safest drivers can find themselves victims of brutal crashes. While each case varies, most collisions at yellow lights share some common characteristics. These crashes often involve one motorist who is traveling straight while another is attempting to turn left. When the light changes to yellow, both drivers accelerate to get through the intersection before the light turns red. Consequently, they collide with one another. In this situation, the driver trying to turn left would be at fault because they failed to yield the right-of-way to the oncoming vehicle. Rear-enders are another common yellow light accident. For example, if the driver in front sees the yellow light and decides to stop, but the motorist behind is distracted and fails to brake.

The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s Western New York yellow light car accident lawyers know all the ins and outs of New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Laws. When you retain our battle-tested litigators, we will start investigating your crash immediately. To prepare the strongest case, our veteran team will:

1. Thoroughly review the police report;
2. Take pictures of the crash scene;
3. Locate and interview all possible witnesses and obtain statements from bystanders;
4. Inspect footage from nearby traffic and security cameras to find instances of the other driver’s negligence;
5. Scrutinize the other motorist’s driving history for traffic tickets and other accidents;
6. Confer with our legendary car accident reconstruction experts to recreate the collision;
7. Gather receipts and proof of accident-related expenses;
8. Have our economic experts attest to how your injuries and other damages have affected your financial situation and how they could continue to impact your future;
9. Talk to your doctors and physical therapists to determine the scope and severity of your injuries; and
10. Consult with our medical experts to evaluate your medical records and necessary future treatments.

Your yellow light collision claim will be much easier if you have the Dietrich Legal Team’s seasoned team fighting in your corner. After decades of practice litigating car crashes, our battle-tested attorneys are experts at proving liability and meticulously analyzing all possible nuances. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s elite lawyers promise never to accept an insurance company’s lowball settlement offer. For more details on how we can help you, please do not hesitate to contact Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his leading lawyers. Please contact us now at (716) 839-3939 or by filling out our online consultation form.

Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious, and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!