How Traffic Light Malfunctions Can Affect Accident Liability

When traffic lights malfunction, they create dangerous intersections where determining accident liability becomes significantly more complicated. These malfunctions can range from complete power outages to signals displaying conflicting messages, leaving drivers uncertain about who has the right of way and creating conditions ripe for serious collisions.

The experienced attorneys at Knowles Law Firm understand how traffic light malfunctions complicate personal injury cases and affect liability determinations. With over 55 years of experience handling car accident cases throughout Nebraska, we assist accident victims in managing the legal issues surrounding malfunctioning traffic signals and work to secure the compensation they deserve.

How Do Traffic Light Malfunctions Affect Accident Liability Determinations?

Traffic light malfunctions create unique liability challenges because they disrupt the standard rules of the road. When signals are working correctly, liability in intersection accidents is often straightforward based on which driver had the green light. However, malfunctioning signals introduce ambiguity regarding right-of-way rules and driver responsibilities, which can significantly affect how courts and insurance companies assign fault.

Nebraska law requires drivers to treat malfunctioning traffic lights as four-way stop signs, meaning all vehicles must come to a complete stop and yield to traffic already in the intersection. The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way, followed by vehicles to the right when multiple cars arrive simultaneously. Failure to follow these rules during signal malfunctions can result in liability for accidents that occur, even when drivers claim confusion about proper procedures.

What Types of Traffic Light Malfunctions Affect Accident Liability Most?

Several types of traffic light malfunctions can affect accident liability in different ways. Complete power outages leave intersections without any signal guidance, while partial malfunctions may show flashing red or yellow lights that require different responses from drivers. Some signals display conflicting messages, such as green lights in multiple directions simultaneously, which can create hazardous situations.

Weather-related damage often causes traffic light failures, particularly during storms with high winds or ice accumulation. According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 20% of car accidents occur at intersections. Mechanical failures, electrical problems, and inadequate maintenance can also lead to dangerous signal malfunctions that increase accident risks and complicate liability assessments.

Government Entity Responsibility

Municipal governments and state transportation departments bear responsibility for maintaining traffic signal systems in proper working order. When poor maintenance or delayed repairs contribute to accidents, these entities may face liability claims from injured parties.

How Can Traffic Light Malfunctions Affect Proving Liability in Court?

Establishing fault when a traffic light malfunctions requires substantial evidence gathering and legal analysis to determine accident liability. Drivers must demonstrate that another party violated traffic laws or acted negligently despite the signal malfunction. This often involves proving the other driver failed to treat the malfunctioning signal as a four-way stop, drove recklessly through the intersection, or failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances.

Key evidence in these cases includes:

• Police reports documenting the signal malfunction
• Witness statements describing the accident sequence
• Traffic camera footage, when available

Weather reports, maintenance records, and photographs of the malfunctioning signal can also strengthen liability claims. The timing of when the malfunction began versus when the accident occurred is crucial for determining whether drivers had reasonable notice of the signal problems and should have adjusted their driving accordingly.

Challenges With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often attempt to assign equal fault to all drivers involved in traffic light malfunction accidents, claiming that the circumstances make liability determination impossible. However, experienced personal injury attorneys can often demonstrate apparent fault through careful analysis of driver actions, traffic patterns, and adherence to Nebraska’s four-way stop requirements during signal failures.

Consult Experienced Nebraska Car Accident Lawyers

Traffic light malfunction accidents necessitate a thorough investigation and experienced legal representation to navigate the complex liability issues that impact compensation recovery. These cases often involve multiple parties, including other drivers and government entities responsible for signal maintenance, making it essential to have knowledgeable attorneys who understand intersection accident law and can build strong cases for fair compensation.

Knowles Law Firm has obtained multi-million dollar settlements for accident victims throughout Nebraska and provides personalized attention to each case involving traffic light malfunctions. Our family of attorneys offers direct access to experienced legal counsel. To discuss your traffic light malfunction accident case and how liability issues may affect your claim, call us at (402) 431-9000 or complete a contact form for a free consultation.