Speeding Vehicle Runs A Light, Causing 4-Car Crash

When a teenager sped through a red light in Baltimore, it careened into two other vehicles, one of which smashed into a fourth. Sadly, the teen was killed in the crash, and two other individuals had to be hospitalized. When a tragedy like this occurs, there are no winners.  What recourse do victims of the crash—who had significant medical bills, property damage, and more, have in this kind of situation?

Running Through Reds 

Believe it or not, the most common type of crash in American cities involves running red lights, and more people are harmed because of individuals running red lights than from any other type of collision. In fact, someone runs a red light every 20 minutes in this country, which has resulted in over 9,000 fatalities in the past decade. Some other troubling facts include:

• It’s estimated that about 165,000 pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists experience injuries as a result of someone running a red light every year.
• Half of the injuries involve innocents who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when a red-light runner zips through an intersection.
• Although nine in ten motorists say it is unacceptable for motorists to run red lights, roughly one-third of them say they’ve done it themselves in the past month.
• Across the country, there are seven fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries daily due to these kinds of crashes.

Some Thoughts 

When people run red lights, they are likely in a hurry.  Obviously, getting in a collision is not the way to get them somewhere any faster. Instead, they’re taking on some real risks, and some of those risks are significant:

• A potential ticket;
• Vehicle damage;
• Insurance increases;
• Injuries that require hospitalization;
• The guilt of knowing someone else suffered injury or death due to one’s recklessness;
• A civil lawsuit naming the red-light-runner as a defendant.

A Personal Injury Lawsuit 

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a red-light runner’s careless and rash driving, you may wish to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in order to recoup damages associated with the accident. A range of issues might be addressed in such a suit:

• Medical costs resulting from the accident;
• Loss of wages, present and future;
• Costs of repairs for your vehicle;
• Pain and suffering.

There is no legal limit on the amount of damages that could be awarded to address economic losses. However, it is essential that legal action is taken within three years of the accident in order to fall within the statute of limitations.

Legal Help You Can Count On 

The Baltimore personal injury attorneys at The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes always fight for the best possible outcomes for you. To discuss your options going forward, schedule a confidential consultation in our Baltimore office today.

Source:

cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/attorney-general-releases-name-of-17-year-old-killed-in-crash-officers-attempting-investigation/