The Dangers of Running Red Lights in New York

Traffic signals exist to maintain order and safety on busy roadways, yet some drivers choose to ignore these critical controls. The dangers of running red lights extend far beyond simple traffic violations, creating life-threatening situations for everyone sharing the road.

When motorists disregard red signals, they put pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers at serious risk of catastrophic collisions. If another driver’s decision to run a red light has injured you, The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. in Queens, NY can help you pursue the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

What Are the Dangers of Running Red Lights?

Intersection collisions are among the most dangerous accidents on New York roadways. Drivers who run red lights enter intersections when cross traffic has the right-of-way, creating situations where vehicles moving perpendicular to each other collide at high speeds. What happens if you run a red light is often a broadside impact with little or no warning, unlike rear-end accidents, where drivers may have time to brake.

The force of intersection crashes causes severe injuries because vehicles typically strike each other at or near full speed. A driver accelerating through an intersection to beat a red light may be traveling 40 or 50 miles per hour at impact. The side of a vehicle provides far less protection than the front or rear, leaving occupants vulnerable to catastrophic harm during these collisions.

Pedestrians crossing legally with the walk signal face deadly consequences if they run a red light. People on foot have no protection from multi-ton vehicles and often suffer fatal injuries when struck. Children, elderly individuals, and those with mobility limitations face particular danger because they may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid a vehicle that illegally enters the intersection.

Cyclists exercising their legal right to use roadways become victims of red light runners who fail to check for two-wheeled traffic. Bicycles offer no protection during collisions, and the impact of being struck by a car typically throws riders to the pavement, causing multiple traumatic injuries. Many cyclists suffer permanent disabilities or lose their lives in accidents caused by drivers who disregard traffic signals.

Multiple vehicle pile-ups can result from a single red light violation. When one driver runs a red light and causes an initial collision, other vehicles approaching the intersection may be unable to stop in time. Chain-reaction crashes involving three, four, or more vehicles create complex accident scenes with numerous injured parties and complicated liability questions.

Car Accident Injuries Caused by Running a Red Light

• Traumatic brain injuries frequently occur in red light accidents, particularly in side-impact collisions, as the brain strikes the inside of the skull, causing concussions, contusions, or severe damage with long-term cognitive impairments, personality changes, and permanent disabilities.
• Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong care and extensive lifestyle adjustments. Internal organ damage from impact with the steering wheel, ribs, or other surfaces can lead to life-threatening bleeding, often requiring immediate medical attention.
• Broken bones and fractures, including arms, legs, ribs, and pelvises, may need surgery, metal plates, or prolonged immobilization, with potential complications extending recovery. Chest and abdominal trauma from seatbelt forces or steering wheel contact can injure ribs, organs, and even the heart or lungs.
• Neck injuries such as whiplash or cervical fractures may cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and nerve damage. Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, often accompanies physical injuries and requires recognition and compensation.

Penalties for Running a Red Light

New York traffic law fines drivers for running red lights, but financial penalties alone do not reflect the full consequences. Violations add points to driving records, which can lead to license suspension if too many accumulate. Insurance premiums rise as carriers treat red light runners as high-risk, often increasing costs for years.

Serious accidents can bring criminal charges, including reckless driving or vehicular assault, with potential jail time. License suspension or revocation affects work and personal life, requiring fees and education programs for reinstatement. Civil liability for injuries and property damage can result in substantial financial responsibility, far exceeding fines or criminal penalties.

Pursuing Compensation for a Red Light Car Accident

• Medical documentation is essential for injury claims following a red-light accident. Records from emergency treatment, hospital visits, specialist consultations, tests, and ongoing therapy show the nature and extent of injuries and link them to the accident, countering insurance arguments about pre-existing conditions.
• Lost wage records, including pay stubs, employer letters, and tax returns, demonstrate financial impact, while medical notes confirm work restrictions.
• Property damage claims rely on repair estimates, invoices, and photos taken immediately after the accident.
• Pain, suffering, and future damages account for lasting impacts, reduced earning capacity, and long-term care needs, supported by medical and economic documentation.

Who Is at Fault for a Red Light Accident?

The driver who runs a red light is usually fully responsible for resulting accidents. Traffic signals clearly define right-of-way, and entering an intersection against a red light violates that duty.

In limited cases, comparative fault may apply if the injured driver contributed to the accident through speeding, distraction, or inattention, reducing recovery under New York’s comparative negligence rules, governed by CPLR 1411.

Some accidents involve multiple liable parties, such as an intoxicated driver and the establishment that served alcohol, an employer if the driver was on duty, or a government entity if a malfunctioning signal contributed.

Proving fault requires quick evidence collection, including traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports, which carry significant weight with insurance companies.

Call Us If You’ve Been in an Accident Due to Someone Running a Red Light

Red light accident claims often face aggressive tactics from insurance companies, even when liability is clear. Carriers may dispute injury severity, question the necessity of treatment, or suggest that other factors caused the collision. Understanding the dangers of running red lights highlights why victims deserve full compensation.

The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C., represents red light accident victims in Queens, NY, and surrounding areas. Our team investigates accidents, gathers all evidence, and builds cases that establish liability and show the full value of your damages. Contact our Floral Park office today by calling 718-380-1200 or online for a consultation and learn your legal options. You pay no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

About the Author

Boris Tadchiev
Boris Tadchiev is the founding partner at The Tadchiev Law Firm, P.C. He focuses his practice on advocating for the rights of individuals and families in personal injury cases involving motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death. He also represents healthcare providers in complex no-fault arbitration claims.