I’m concerned about my liability in a recent collision where another vehicle ran a red light. The other evening, I was in an accident in California while traveling through an intersection in the far-right lane. I collided with a vehicle that either turned left or possibly went straight through a red light, perpendicular to my direction. My light was clearly green, and the vehicles turning left in the same direction also had a green light that was starting to transition to yellow as I entered the intersection. This suggests that the light hadn’t even approached green for the car that ran the red light.
I’m worried that the insurance company might argue that I should have been able to avoid the vehicle since I was in the right lane. However, there were cars in the lanes beside me, a few car lengths back, so changing lanes to evade the other vehicle would likely have resulted in a different collision. I’m curious if the adjuster might consider this at least partially my fault for not avoiding the accident. Thanks for your input, and I appreciate your patience with the detailed explanation.
It sounds like a stressful situation, and it’s understandable to have concerns about liability after an accident. Based on what you’ve described, it seems like the other driver was clearly in the wrong for running a red light, especially considering you had a green light and possibly an additional signal from vehicles turning left.
In California, the law generally follows a “fault” system for accidents, meaning that the driver who is found to be at fault is typically responsible for damages. If you can provide evidence that the other driver ran the red light and that you were abiding by traffic laws, it should strengthen your case.
As for the adjuster’s perspective, while they may consider whether you could have taken evasive action, it sounds like you acted reasonably given the circumstances, especially with vehicles in the adjacent lanes that would have made maneuvering difficult. If you were traveling straight through the intersection and the other vehicle was clearly in violation of traffic signals, you should have a solid argument in your favor.
It may also be helpful to gather any evidence you can, such as photos of the intersection, witness statements, or even footage from traffic cameras, if available. Documenting everything can be crucial for your insurance claim. If you have ongoing concerns about liability or compensation, it might be worth consulting with an attorney who specializes in traffic accidents to discuss your case in detail.
Remember to keep records of all communications with your insurance and any other parties involved. Best of luck, and I hope you get the resolution you need!