Houston Yellow Light Accident Lawyers

When getting a driver’s license and operating a vehicle in the State of Texas, drivers automatically agree to follow all applicable laws and corresponding duties. This means accepting a responsibility to all other roadway users –– including passenger vehicles, pedestrians, and motorcyclists –– to take all necessary precautions in preventing accidents. Generally, this means adhering to traffic laws and fulfilling the basic “duty of care.”

A violation of “duty of care” is when another driver speeds to beat a yellow light at an intersection. Drivers who rapidly accelerate and enter an intersection on a yellow light signal contribute to a large number of accidents, injuries, and deaths every year. If you were recently involved in a Houston car accident, Sutliff & Stout attorneys can review the details of your yellow light accident to determine fault and fight to ensure you are compensated fairly for your losses.

Yellow Light Traffic Laws in Texas

When the light turns yellow, it indicates that the red “stop” light is seconds away. Therefore, drivers can proceed as if it’s a green light, but it serves as a warning that the light is about to change. At an intersection, a driver turning left on a steady yellow light must yield to oncoming traffic and verify no other drivers or pedestrians are in the way before proceeding.

When the green light changes to yellow, drivers more than 100 feet away should not speed up to make the light. A general rule is that all drivers should stop at a yellow light unless they are already inside the intersection or are less than 100 feet away from it. Other factors like speed and traffic contribute to whether a driver should stop or not.

What Causes Yellow Light Accidents in Houston?

Judging whether to stop or go at a yellow light is confusing for many drivers. This already fraught decision becomes even more difficult when the following behaviors and conditions are present:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Malfunctioning traffic signal
• Bad visibility or weather conditions
• Tailgating and abrupt braking
• Accelerating quickly when the light changes to green
• Speeding
• Risky left-hand turns

Determining which of these factors or combinations of factors led to your accident requires a thorough understanding of the law and legal experience. These types of accidents involve gray areas that may require extensive crash reconstruction, eyewitness interviews, and surveillance footage to place fault. The Board-Certified attorneys at Sutliff & Stout will bring a high level of expertise and knowledge to your yellow light accident case in Houston.

Common Accidents That Arise at Yellow Lights in Houston

The reasons for yellow light accidents vary depending on where the at-fault driving was coming from, who was involved, the classification of the motorists, and so on. As such, the following are common at yellow lights in Houston:

• Rear-end accidents
• Head-on collision
• Side-impact/T-bone collisions
• Bus collisions
• Motorcycle crashes
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian crashes

Each of these accidents can cause serious injuries or death to anyone involved and can result in extreme undue hardship. Sutliff & Stout can evaluate the facts of your case and establish an adequate monetary value to compensate you for the full extent of your losses.

Houston Yellow Light Accident Attorneys You Can Trust

Multiple parties are usually involved in claims and lawsuits for yellow light accidents, which may extend the process of investigation and involve several insurance companies. In difficult times like these, you need a Houston accident lawyer who is willing to invest the time, energy, and effort required to construct a robust case on your behalf. Sutliff & Stout works closely with clients in Houston to provide personalized, compassionate, and responsive representation.

We have a high success rate of settling cases outside and inside the courtroom. When the lawyers at Sutliff & Stout take on your case, they do so with a deep understanding of what’s at stake and a profound sense of urgency to get clients the compensation they deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call 713-987-7111 or complete our contact form today.