If another driver claims that you ran a red light, and you know they are wrong, it is vital to obtain legal counsel to help you gather the information you need to prove your case. Here are some things we do to try to prove the color of the light:
1. Gather Witness Accounts
One of the most reliable forms of evidence is eyewitness testimony. If there were other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians who saw the traffic light when the incident occurred, their accounts can be crucial. Hopefully, you are able to ask people at the scene if they saw the crash and get their contact information. If not, they may be listed on the police report. We call all witnesses on the police report and ask for their statement of what occurred as soon as we get the case. If there are not witnesses listed, or if the witnesses don't know, then we dig a little further for witnesses by doing the following:
- Obtaining 911 calls to see if anyone else called in the crash.
- Checking with the businesses around the intersection to see if anyone in the business witnessed the crash.
- Requesting any available body cam footage from the police officers who responded to the crash. Sometimes, the body cam footage catches the witnesses giving a statement to the police.
If any witnesses are identified, we ask them what they saw, politely ask for their contact information and let them know that they may be called as a witness in the future.
2. Check for Traffic Cameras and Surveillance Cameras
Some intersections are equipped with traffic cameras that record footage of the events, although most in Missouri do not record. However, if you see a camera at the intersection, we will check with the city or county to see if that camera actually recorded the accident.
Also, we check with all of the businesses that surround the intersection to see if they have any surveillance video that would have captured the crash. Most businesses are very happy to help in this regard.
3. Dashcam Footage
If you or a witness had a dashcam installed, this footage can be invaluable. We will immediatly send a letter to the owner of the car or truck with the dashcam and demand that they preserve the recording. If it is not too late and the recording is still intact, we will request a copy of the dashcam video.
4. Use Traffic Signal Records
Sometimes, traffic signals are connected to systems that log the timing of lights. These are called light sequencing records. We obtain these records to see if we can piece together who had the green light based upon how the lights are cycled at the intersection.
5. Photographs of the Scene
Photographs taken immediately after the incident can provide context and support your claim.
In summary, if you are in an intersection crash, get the police report right away to see if the other driver is claiming that you ran a red light. If you find out that the other driver is pointing the finger of blame at you, then you should probably contact legal counsel right away to get the necessary investigation underway. If your crash happened in Missouri or Illinois, we are happy to help!
