As you travel here and there, you may encounter countless traffic signs and traffic signals. You may trust that these signs and signals will warn, guide, and regulate you so you may get to and from your destination points safely. So it may be a complete shock when encountering a malfunctioning or unsafe traffic control device. What’s more, it may be devastating if this is the catalyst that leads you into a serious auto accident. With that said, please continue reading to learn how a faulty or poorly programmed traffic signal may pose a danger to present drivers and how an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer at Merricks Law Group, P.A. can help you prove this element in your upcoming accident claim.
Why is a faulty or poorly programmed traffic signal considered dangerous?
There are two ways in which a traffic control device might function: through sensors or timers. So, if sensors are faulty or a timer system is poorly programmed, these are dangerous factors that may spike the rate of auto accidents at that particular intersection.
For example, say that you drive your vehicle to the top of the stop line or before a crosswalk, where the sensor should be located. Well, if the sensor is not working, you may never get a green light to allow you to proceed forward. On top of this, traffic may be building behind you and you may be unable to maneuver to an alternate route safely. This may force you to enter the middle of an intersection when it is still unsafe and enter a T-bone or head-on collision.
In another example, say that your point of direction received a green light not too long ago. With this, you may assume that you still have time to make your way across the intersection. But if the timer is poor, the light may unexpectedly change to yellow or red when you are still blocking a crosswalk. This may force pedestrians to walk around your vehicle outside their designated walkway, and other drivers may run into them. Or, collide with your vehicle to swerve these pedestrians.
How do I handle an accident claim when a faulty traffic signal is involved?
Your auto insurance company may not want to believe that a faulty or poorly maintained traffic signal caused your accident. With this, they may attempt to pin the blame on you and deny your accident claim. At the same time, a local government entity may have difficulty taking accountability for the existence of this dangerous traffic signal. This may make your personal injury claim more challenging than if you were to go against a negligent driver instead.
Rest assured, so long as you have abundant evidence of this dangerous traffic signal at the time of your auto accident (i.e., photos/videos, witness testimonies, police reports, etc)., we may be able to help you achieve a successful case. In conclusion, if you require legal representation, look no further than a skilled Tampa auto accident lawyer. The client testimonials on our website speak for themselves, saying that you will not regret hiring the team at Merricks Law Group, P.A.
