Disputes are common after a motor vehicle accident, especially ones at intersections. What if both drivers say the light was green after an Alabama car accident? When it seems to be one person’s word against another’s, concrete evidence can help show what really happened.
If you need help managing conflicting stories after an auto accident, talking to an experienced car accident lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law can help you understand the types of evidence you may need and how to present it to the insurance company.
Why Are Green-Light Disputes Common in Alabama Intersection Accidents?
Green-light disputes are common because intersection accidents often occur in an instant, with both drivers genuinely believing they had the right of way. In the moments before a car crash, drivers may be focused on traffic, turning vehicles, or pedestrians, or on getting through the intersection before the light changes. After a collision, stress and confusion can make their memories less reliable.
Common disputes after an intersection accident include:
- Both drivers claim they entered the intersection on a green light.
- One driver says the other ran a red light or sped through a yellow light.
- A left-turning driver says oncoming traffic should have stopped.
- A driver claims the light changed while they were already in the intersection.
- Each driver gives a different version of where the vehicles were before the impact.
- Witnesses disagree about what they saw.
What Are Typical Causes of Intersection Accidents in Alabama?
Intersection accidents can happen for many reasons. A green-light dispute may only be one part of the larger story. Even when one driver had the right-of-way, another driver’s unsafe action may have caused or contributed to the crash. Some of the most common causes of intersection accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Running a red light
- Trying to beat a yellow light
- Failing to yield before making a left turn
- Speeding through an intersection
- Misjudging another vehicle’s speed or distance
- Driving while impaired
- Following too closely in stop-and-go traffic
- Obstructed views
What Types of Evidence Can Help Determine Who Actually Had the Green Light?
Evidence can help move the claim beyond a debate of “he said, she said.” Potential evidence to support your car accident claim in Alabama that your lawyer at Gartlan Injury Law can collect may include:
- Traffic camera or surveillance footage of the intersection
- Dashcam video from either vehicle
- Eyewitness statements
- Police reports
- Vehicle damage patterns
- Skid marks or debris
- Cell phone records
- Traffic signal timing data
- Accident reconstruction reports
What Should You Do After an Accident Involving a Green-Light Dispute?
What you do after an intersection crash can affect your health and your personal injury claim. Medical treatment comes first. If you or anyone else needs emergency medical assistance, call 911.
Take these steps as soon as you safely can:
- Call the police so an officer can document the crash and create an official accident report.
- Collect information from any witnesses, including their names and contact information.
- Take photos or video of the intersection, traffic signal, vehicle positions, vehicle damage, and road conditions.
- Don’t admit fault or argue with the other driver at the scene.
- Contact an Alabama auto accident attorney at Gartlan Injury Law as soon as possible.
What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in a Disputed Light Accident?
A green-light dispute can become harder to resolve if you say or do something that risks weakening your claim. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Saying too much at the accident scene – Keep your comments brief and factual when speaking with the other driver or police officer.
- Delaying medical treatment – Waiting to see a doctor can make it more challenging to connect your injuries to the crash.
- Posting on social media – Photos, comments, or updates may be used against you in a car accident case.
- Accepting early settlement offers – Initial settlement offers may not account for your medical expenses, lost wages, or long-term needs, especially in the early days after a crash.
How Can an Alabama Car Accident Attorney Help Me?
When both drivers say they had the green light, proving who was actually at fault requires a thorough investigation to learn what really happened. An Alabama car accident attorney can manage the investigation, hire experts if needed, and communicate with insurers while you focus on your recovery.
When you work with a car accident law firm like Gartlan Injury Law, our legal team can manage your claim from start to finish. We can:
- Obtain traffic signal timing data from local agencies to help determine how the light was functioning at the time of the crash
- Investigate the car wreck by reviewing the police report, collecting medical records, interviewing witnesses, and consulting experts, such as accident reconstruction professionals and vocational or economic specialists (if needed)
- Identify available insurance coverage from the at-fault driver or other liable parties
- Negotiate with insurers when liability is disputed, and the other driver denies responsibility
- File a car accident lawsuit, if the insurer refuses to offer an acceptable settlement
When you need an experienced car accident attorney to pursue fair compensation after a crash, firm founder Aaron Gartlan and the team at Gartlan Injury Law provide dedicated legal representation, straightforward guidance, and strategic litigation support.
Attorney Gartlan is a Dothan native who has dedicated his career to supporting individuals harmed through other parties’ negligence. Over our 25-year history, our firm has recovered millions* for Alabama injury victims. Past client Dee wrote of their experience with us in the following testimonial:
“Mr. Gartlan is an excellent attorney. He is professional, knowledgeable while caring for his clients. He and his staff made sure we were aware of all options and what they entailed. He met with us one on one on several occasions as well as kept us informed with emails and phone calls. He went out of his way to help us. We obtained the decision we had hoped for by following the directions given to us by Mr. Gartlan. He was a pleasure to work with and if we were ever needing an attorney in the future he would be our first choice.”
Contact an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer
If you suffered car accident injuries in an intersection accident and there’s a dispute over how the accident happened, turn to an experienced Alabama car accident attorney from Gartlan Injury Law to prepare your claim and represent your interests. Contact us right away for a free case evaluation.
*Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case has unique circumstances.
