According to a report from Click2Houston, two people were killed in a tragic crash in the northwest corner of the city. A representative for law enforcement told reporters that the collision occurred because a driver ran through a red light. Tragically, red violations remain a major cause of serious motor vehicle wrecks in Texas and throughout the United States. Here, our Houston auto accident attorney explains what we know about this crash and red light safety in general.
Driver Blew Through Red Light, Caused Deadly Crash in Houston
A pickup truck was traveling on Hollister Road in northwest Houston shortly before midnight. One passenger was in the vehicle along with the driver. Based on the results of a preliminary investigation into the crash, the Houston Police Department believes that the collision happened because the driver of the pickup truck blew through a red light at a high rate of speed. Tragically, his passenger and the driver of another vehicle were killed in the collision. No charges have yet been filed. Though, the red light crash is still under a more in depth investigation.
Red Lights Violations and Car Accident Risk
When most people approach a green light, they simply drive through it without worry. Of course, when you do so, you are inherently putting your trust and faith into the hands of drivers. A driver who fails to stop at a red light is putting everyone else on the road at risk.
The consequences can be catastrophic, even deady. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that an average of 850 people are killed and tens of thousands more are injured in red light runner accidents each year.
Alarmingly, there is some evidence that suggests the public safety problem is growing even worse. According to data from the AAA Foundation, red light running deaths hit a ten-year high in 2019—and there was an even sharper spike in overall traffic fatalities in 2020 and 2021.
Texas Law: Traffic Violations are Negligence
In Texas, all motorists have a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle in a safe manner. Among other things, this means complying with all applicable traffic federal, state, and local traffic regulations. The failure to comply with a traffic violation is a form of negligence. A negligent driver—such as a driver who runs through a red light—can be held legally liable for a resulting collision. If you were hurt in a crash with a red light runner, a Houston car accident injury lawyer will help you get justice and full financial compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney in Houston
At the Kolodny Law Firm, our Houston auto accident lawyers fight aggressively to protect the legal rights of injured victims. If you or someone you know was hurt in a crash caused by a red light violation, we can help. Call us now or use our online contact form for a free, no commitment review of your case. We represent injured victims in Houston, Harris County, and throughout Texas.
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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