When drivers are traveling from one place to another in a rush or are distracted, they may run a red light. In Seattle, there are red light cameras placed throughout the city that take still photos and record video when a vehicle runs a red light. There are also vehicle sensing devices at intersections that activate the cameras.
The photos show the vehicle at the traffic signal and a cropped image of the vehicle’s license plate. Video clips of the incident are available to personnel who may need to review them, as well as to the registered owner of the vehicle.
The photos and video show the vehicle from the rear only and do not contain images of the driver’s or passengers’ faces. However, the cameras may capture car accidents and collisions with pedestrians at intersections as well.
While drivers can receive a ticket for running a red light, the impact is much more serious for a person who is hit by the driver.
Injuries
A person who is hit can suffer significant injuries, including neck and shoulder damage, fractures and broken bones, whiplash, spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries.
The costs to treat these injuries can be very high. The person may also have reduced hours from work or have to leave their job in order to heal. This has financial impact not just to the person who is injured, but also to their family who may rely on him or her for support.
An experienced attorney can pursue compensation on behalf of drivers or pedestrians injured in red-light accidents or in any other car accident.