Distracted Driving: Electronic Devices Not the Only Risk

There has been considerable discussion in the media regarding the appropriateness of imposing a ban on all use of handheld electronic devices while driving.  The media coverage is understandable given the recent recommendation by the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) that all states implement a complete ban on the use of portable electronic devices.  While the NTSB cannot pass mandatory regulations, it is influential with lawmakers and regulators so a complete ban on texting while driving and talking on a cell phone while driving might be right around the corner.  The problem is that the focus on cell phones and handheld devices obscures to significance of other types of distracted driving.

The key is that proponents of safety regulations not lose focus on the much broader danger of distracted driving because they are focused on the narrow role of mobile communication devices.  A common example of distracted driving that may be more prevalent and cause more accidents is eating and drinking while driving.  While cell phones are getting most of the publicity, a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that a staggering eighty percent of all auto accidents and 65 percent of all near misses involve some form of eating or drinking while driving.  The study emphasizes the risk of rear end accidents or single car accidents where drivers fail to negotiate a curve safely because they are manually and visually distracted.

Coffee is the absolute worst item to consume while driving according to the study.  Cups of coffee can be easily spilled, and the scorching liquid often distracts drivers from the road.  Other foods like burgers that have messy sauces are also prone to cause accidents because drivers often are distracted by sauces and other condiments falling into their lap.  It is interesting to note that while a universal ban on the use of mobile phones and portable handheld devices is being proposed, the television and radio continue to be filled with advertisements for fast food restaurants offering drive thru options.  The hamburger chain In and Out goes even further specifically asking drivers if they will be eating their food in their car and packaging the food for such consumption.

This is not to suggest that concerns about portable electronic devices are not well founded.  The point is that there are many other types of driving distractions that may be more dangerous that seem to be ignored.  Some of these types of driver distraction include the following:

  • Putting on makeup
  • Reading books and newspapers
  • Studying GPS devices
  • Reaching inside a vehicle for an object
  • Adjusting car stereos
  • Grooming (i.e. brushing one’s hair)

Some might argue that mobile phone use while driving is an easier practice to target but the prominence of drive thru restaurants would seem to undermine this argument.  Distracted driving in any form is unsafe and causes many serious injuries and fatalities in distracted driving accidents throughout Mississippi. The experienced Mississippi distracted driving auto accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing tenacious representation to victims of distracted driving for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

 

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New Year’s Fatalities Provide Reminder that Most Accidents Are the Product of Human Error

While this New Year’s holiday period was marked by tragedy, the initial reports from the Highway Patrol are more positive than might be expected.  The Mississippi Highway Patrol has reported that there were only traffic related fatalities during the New Year’s weekend.  While this is encouraging news, it remains tragic news for the families of those who lost a loved one in a New Year’s accident and the many others who suffered serious injuries in such accidents.  The most dismaying aspect of these car accidents and other fatal collisions in Mississippi is that virtually all of these accidents are preventable.

The vast majority of Mississippi motor vehicle accidents are the product of human error in the form of inattentive or unsafe driving.  If all drivers obeyed Mississippi traffic regulations and rules of the road, Mississippi motor vehicle accidents could be reduced to a negligible level.  While some motor vehicle accidents are caused by other factors like dangerous roads and defective motor vehicle components, human error accounts for the majority of traffic related fatalities and life-altering injuries.

There are many variations of human error that contribute to serious Mississippi car accidents including the following:

  • Fatigued or drowsy driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Failure to observe right of way rules
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DUI/DWI)
  • Speeding
  • Aggressive driving
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Tailgating

These are a few examples of the kind of avoidable driving conduct that account for needless loss of life and catastrophic injuries.  Drunk driving and distracted driving alone account for over half of all traffic related fatalities.  This means that sober drivers that devote their full attention to their driving can play a substantial role in making Mississippi roads safer.  If a driver engages in any of these unsafe driving behaviors, the driver may be liable for any injuries or loss of life caused by the unsafe or inattentive driver.

Some of these driving behaviors are particularly unacceptable and may also justify punitive damages against a driver who causes a Mississippi car accident.  Examples of such behavior might include intoxicated driving, reckless driving (e.g. street racing), aggressive driving and similar driving conduct that essentially demonstrate a conscious disregard for the safety of others.  A court may award punitive damages to provide an incentive to avoid similar conduct in the future and to punish particularly unsafe and objectionable conduct.  The experienced Mississippi car accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing tenacious representation to victims of unsafe and inattentive drivers for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

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Does Heavy Traffic Congestion in Urban Areas Mean Safe Roads?

When traveling throughout Mississippi many people choose low traffic back roads rather than busy traffic congested streets in urban areas.  This preference often is based on the fact that traveling on roadways with less traffic is safer.  The assumption regarding safer back roads is not supported by actual accident data.  Crash data suggests that drivers are actually at greater risk of being involved in a car accident and suffering more serious injuries when involved in a collision in rural areas than urban areas with heavier traffic.

A leading factor in the increased risk of driving in rural areas is the difference in average rates of speed.  While most drivers lament traffic gridlock that slows one’s commute to work, high traffic density results in slowing drivers down.  Drivers traveling at slower rates of speed have more response time to brake or evade a potential road hazard.  Slower speeds because of heavy traffic congestion also means that the force of impact is generally less when a collision does occur.  Many drivers in rural areas travel at a high rate of speed because they have a false sense of security connected to minimal traffic flow.

A recent study quantifies the fact that the risk of being involved in a serious traffic collision is higher in rural areas.  While rural areas account for less than 30 percent of the nation’s population, these areas are the location of 55 percent of all car accidents related injuries and fatalities.  The relationship between high rates of speed and high accident risk in rural areas is substantiated by the fact that almost 35 percent of accidents in rural areas involve drivers exceeding the speed limit.  The study also revealed that accident rates are falling in urban areas but rising at an even faster rate in rural areas.

The other factor that seems to pay a substantial role in the disparity between urban and rural accident rates is the influence of alcohol in rural accidents.  Drunk drivers were more likely to be involved in a car crash in rural areas by a factor of 12 percent.  Drunken driving and speeding are directly correlated to higher fatality rates generally so this also explains why rural accidents tend to be more likely to result in a fatality. The experienced auto accident attorneys at Barrett Law have been providing tenacious representation to victims of motor vehicle accidents for over 75 years.  We provide diligent legal representation and impassioned advocacy so we invite you to call us today at 662-834-2376 to learn how we can help.

 

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Hazardous Roads May Cause Serious Mississippi Auto Accidents

While most motor vehicle accidents are caused by negligent drivers, some accidents are caused at least in part by unsafe roads.  Roadways can be poorly designed or inadequately maintained resulting in a high risk of collision that may cause catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.  Personal injury lawsuits involving dangerous streets, highways and interstates pose special litigation challenges because the defendant in most dangerous road cases is a public entity.  Governmental entities may protected by sovereign immunity that protects them from litigation for personal injury.  However, most jurisdictions have passed tort claims acts that waives this sovereign immunity at least in part provided claimants comply with special procedures and timing requirements.  The Mississippi Tort Claims Act is a set of statutes, codified collectively, that explains when, how and whether someone can bring a lawsuit against a governmental entity or political subdivision.

The Mississippi Tort Claims Act imposes the following limitations or conditions when pursuing a claim against a government entity or subdivision including:

  • All damages when aggregated are capped at $500,000
  • Bar on punitive damages
  • The Statute of Limitations is only one year from the date of  incident resulting in injury
  • Trial must be by judge not jury

These limitations combined with the virtually unlimited resources that public entities have to defend personal injury lawsuits makes it essential to retain a law firm with extensive experience handling lawsuits against public entities if you are involved in a Mississippi car accident caused by a hazardous roadway.  There are many types of road hazards that can contribute to a serious motor vehicle accident including:

Construction Zones: Construction zones are dangerous and confusing for motorists.  There may be misplaced barriers, heavy equipment obstructing travel and debris in the roadway.  Many construction projects involve detours that can be confusing particularly because there are so many visual distractions in most work zones.

Edge of the Road Drop-Offs: Many roads have dangerous unsafe drop-offs and lack barriers like guardrails to keep vehicles from dropping off the edge of the roadway.  Deterioration of the edge of roadway can cause the pavement to collapse under the tire of a motor vehicle.

Faulty Intersection Geometry: This essentially refers to design defects that may impair visibility or negotiation of turns at an intersection, such as extremely narrow roads or sharp turns.

Unsafe Slopes and Dips: Slopes and dips in the road can impair visibility and sometimes cause a loss of control causing serious collisions.

Visual Obstruction of Intersection: Many times the design or maintenance of a vehicle can result in impaired visibility at an intersection, such as overgrown foliage.

Water Pooling from Poor Road Design: Sometimes road design does not permit proper drainage of rain from the roadway so that water pooling may occur and cause a vehicle to hydroplane.  Hydroplaning occurs when a vehicle loses traction with the roadway and floats across the pooled water.

This is a representative list of the types of dangerous road conditions that may cause a motor vehicle accident in Mississippi, but there are many other types of road hazards that may cause serious Mississippi car accidents.  If you or a close family member is injured in a Mississippi auto accident, it is important to conduct an investigation and determine the following:

  • How long has the unsafe road condition been present?
  • Have there been prior accidents caused by the road hazard?
  • Were complaints made by other motorists about the hazard?

At Barrett Law, we carefully investigate our client’s accidents so that we can develop the best possible litigation strategy.  We invite you to contact Barrett Law so that we can evaluate your Mississippi pool or spa accident claim and advise you of your rights and options.  Call us at 662-834-2376.

No Recovery No Fee!

 

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Many Mississippi Car Accidents Are Caused by Violation of Mississippi Rules of the Road

Careless or inconsiderate drivers that violate the Mississippi Rules of the Road cause the lion share of serious car accidents in Mississippi.  These traffic safety laws are designed for the orderly coordination and interaction of motor vehicles, which is designed to prevent serious car accidents in Mississippi.  When a driver runs a red light, fails to obey the speed limit or tailgates another vehicle, the result can be serious injuries resulting in life-altering injuries like spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries that cause permanent disability from employment and daily life experiences.

The issue of proving fault in a Mississippi car accident can be complex because insurance carriers often will try to shift fault to the accident victim to avoid paying a claim or to minimize the amount paid on an insurance claim in a motor vehicle accident.  One key theory in proving liability is the theory of negligence per se.  This theory of liability permits imposition of liability when someone violates a public safety law resulting in injury to those who the law was designed to protect.  The Mississippi Rules of the Road are public safety statutes designed to protect motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

If you are involved in a Mississippi car accident, there is a wide array of violations of Mississippi Rules of the Road that may constitute negligence per se including:

  • Obeying traffic signals
  • Vehicles failing to maintain their lane
  • Failure to abide by right of way rules
  • Speeding
  • Illegal left turns
  • Failure to comply with a stop sign

The value of the negligence per se theory of liability is that it removes the obligation to prove negligence other than to show the violation of a public safety statute caused injury to another.  If you or a family member is injured in a car accident involving the violation of the rules of the road, our experienced Mississippi car accident lawyers may be able to employ the doctrine of negligence per se.  The experienced Mississippi auto accident lawyers at Barrett Law are committed to providing tenacious legal representation for our clients.  The attorneys of Barrett Law have been representing Mississippi car accident victims for over 75 years.  Our law firm offers a free initial case evaluation so call us today at (662) 834-2376.

 

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How Important Is a Vehicle Door Latch During a Collision?

While any serious motor vehicle accident poses a risk of causing severe injuries, this danger is magnified when a vehicle occupant is ejected from the vehicle. There is a much higher probability of suffering catastrophic injuries if someone is ejected from a car, truck or SUV.  Car industry safety data indicates that there is a 300 percent increase in the probability of a car accident fatality if a vehicle occupant is ejected.  Some vehicle ejections are the product of faulty car door latches.  Manufacturers of motor vehicles consider vehicle doors to be an essential part of the overall structural strength of the motor vehicle. It is reasonable to assume that car doors would be designed and manufactured to ensure that they are capable of withstanding the pressure and impact of a typical car accident. Unfortunately, many car door latching mechanisms are not designed to withstand the impact of a typical car crash.

While many vehicles come with automatic door locks, there are a wide range of vehicles in which this is not a standard feature. This means that vehicle occupants must manually engage the door lock mechanism. While it is a widely acknowledged  that if the door lock mechanism is not engaged the door may swing open in a collision, many vehicle manufacturers do not provide adequate notice to vehicle consumers.  If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident or a loved one dies because a defective door latch fails during a collision, you may have the basis for a product liability claim against the vehicle manufacturer.  Even if the accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, this does not relieve the vehicle manufacturer of liability for a defectively designed or manufactured door latch.

Although there are industry standards that require door latch mechanisms to be designed to withstand certain levels of impact, there is no existing testing protocol to determine that door latches actually comply with these standards.  Because there is no established testing procedure for determining whether vehicle door latch mechanisms meet industry standards, vehicles are often manufactured with defective door latches that will not withstand the impact that they are supposed to be able to absorb safely.

One component of door latch mechanisms that may be defective is the remote rod. This component is what connects the door handle to the door latch.  If the remote rod bends under the force of impact during a collision, this may cause the door to fly open during a crash.  Sometimes vehicles are designed with less safe remote rods. For example, tension type rods are less reliable than compression type linkage rods, but vehicle manufacturers do not always opt for the safer alternative.  The way a vehicle is designed in the strength of the door may also impact whether or not the remote rod is compromised during a collision.  If a car door has more than one retention point, this also makes the risk of a car door flying open during a collision less likely.

Although a vehicle with a defective door latch can turn a minor collision into a catastrophic accident, vehicle manufacturers do not necessarily rush to recall vehicles because of defective door latches because of the cost associated with a widespread recall. There have been a number of incidents in the past where recalls of vehicles were delayed despite the company having information suggesting that the vehicle door latches did not meet minimum safety requirements under federal law.

The Mississippi car accident lawyers of Barrett Law represent those injured in car crashes throughout the state, including those caused by defective motor vehicles.  If you have been injured in a Mississippi car accident caused by a defective vehicle or faulty vehicle component, the experienced Mississippi car accident attorneys at Barrett Law diligently represent accident victims throughout the state so call us today at 662-834-2376 to see how we can help.

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Tailgating Is an Extremely Dangerous Driving Practice

While failing to allow a proper following distance is one of the more dangerous violations of traffic safety laws, it remains a common practice that results in a substantial number of serious accidents resulting in severe injury, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and fatalities.  While most motorist are familiar with the three second rule which involves allowing a buffer of at least three seconds between your car and the vehicle in front of you, this is a general rule of thumb that does not apply in all situations.  If you are traveling at a high rate of speed or driving in adverse weather or traffic conditions, most vehicle safety experts would advise an even wider following distance be maintained. The practice of following too closely or tailgating is a common feature of aggressive driving but also may simply be the result of an impatient driver.

While there are a wide range of violations of the Mississippi rules of the road that may constitute serious accident risks, the practice of tailgating poses a particularly unsafe driving practice because of the challenges associated with enforcing compliance.  Because estimating appropriate following distance is a highly subjective process, it is difficult for law enforcement authorities to stop and cite drivers for following too closely. This means that most times a citation for tailgating is issued when a crash between vehicles occurs that is caused by failing to follow at a safe distance.

If you are struck from behind by another vehicle when you are stopped and the other car is moving at freeway speed, you can suffer severe life-altering injuries or even the loss of someone you love. Tailgating is a two-pronged traffic safety hazard because it both increases the likelihood of an accident and also increases the potential severity of injuries. The reason that following too closely increases the likelihood of an accident is that a driver has less time to either brake or use evasive steering maneuvers to prevent a collision.  The probability of suffering more serious injuries is linked to the fact that drivers may have no opportunity to respond to minimize the impact or may be forced to overcompensate because of the limited time to respond causing them to lose control and rollover or run off the road.

If you are confronted by a tailgating driver, it is never a good idea to antagonize the driver.  An agitated or aggressive driver that refuses to allow a safe following distance can quickly become a perpetrator of road rage when antagonized.  The best approach is to simply let the other driver pass you to avoid a dangerous confrontation.  If a tailgating driver slams into another car, truck or SUV from behind, the tailgating driver usually will be liable because drivers are supposed to allow enough following distance so that they can respond if the flow of traffic abruptly stops.

If you are struck from behind by a driver that is following too close and suffer even minor symptoms, you should seek immediate medical treatment.  Many injuries that occur in a rear-end collision, such as whiplash, are not immediately apparent.  Even when someone does not notice serious symptoms associated with whiplash following a rear-ender, whiplash can cause disabling pain and limitations on mobility for months.  It is also important to make sure that an accident report is prepared by police.  The officer will be able to note in the police report that it was a rear-end collision and will typically conclude that the other driver was the at-fault driver.  The officer may even issue a citation against the other driver for following too close.

The experienced Mississippi rear-end accident attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC have successfully represented many injury victims involved in collisions with tailgaters.  We are committed to the principle that the practice of law is a service industry so we provide legal representation based on integrity, compassion and diligence.  If you or a loved one suffers serious injury or a loved one dies in a tragic Mississippi car accident, we invite you to contact us so that we can evaluate your claim at 662-834-2376.

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How GPS Services Could be Used in an Accident Reconstruction

GPS devices are becoming more and more common, and you will find them in a large percentage of the vehicles on the road. While GPS devices are a great way to avoid getting lost in an unfamiliar city, not to mention a great alternative to trying to read a bulky map with letters so tiny only your fifth grader has eyes good enough to see it. GPS receivers have more recently begun to be used in providing essential data during an accident reconstruction.

If a GPS is being used at the time of an accident, then analysts can quickly find out the vehicle’s speed and position before, during and even after the crash. Such technology is possible because of the two dozen fully networked satellites which orbit the earth 12,000 miles up—thanks to the United States Department of Defense. In addition to a GPS receiver, many newer vehicles also have an event data recorder which will provide specific data from its rollover sensors and airbags.

How is This Information Useful?

It may seem that the information which could be extracted from your GPS following a crash would be meaningless, but, in fact, the opposite is true. Suppose you are driving along safely at the posted speed, when from out of nowhere a car slams into you because of a distracted or negligent driver. You think the resulting insurance claim will be a piece of cake—after all, you did nothing wrong. Next thing you know you are shocked to hear that the other driver is claiming you were the one at fault. Assuming there were no eyewitnesses, how will you prove that you were not the negligent party? This is where your GPS could turn out to be invaluable in proving your speed at the time of the crash, the exact time the accident happened, and your exact location and direction you were traveling when the accident occurred. The other driver may be claiming you were exceeding the speed limit, or turned unexpectedly, leaving it up to your GPS to prove otherwise and back up your statements.

Keeping a Log of Events

Even if you have a GPS of your own, don’t assume that will exonerate you from claims of negligence. Just as in any accident, you should definitely call the police so you will have a written police report of the events, tend to your injuries or those of your passengers and call your insurance company as soon as possible. After taking care of those crucial tasks, if you are able, take photos with your cell phone or a camera of the scene of the accident, the damage to your car, and the damage to the other car. Make sure to include landmarks around the accident scene for reference points. If there were witnesses to the accident, take the time to get their names, addresses and phone numbers. Once witnesses have left the scene without you recording their information, it is unlikely you will ever be able to find them should you need their statement later on. If you were injured in the accident, make sure you document every single medical issue you’ve had as a result of the accident, even if it is only a headache from a bump on the head. You never know what will turn out to be critical evidence in a claim, so assume it is all critical.

Getting Legal Help

If you’ve been involved in an accident with injuries or significant damages, it can be extremely important that you get an experienced attorney on board as soon as possible. You are entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, time away from work and pain and suffering, and your GPS may be the one piece of evidence which ensures you get that compensation. Let your attorney know that your GPS was operating at the time of the accident, then let him take care of your case while you take care of yourself and your future.

Call and speak with an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer from Barrett Law, PLLC.  Be sure to visit our web blog for more helpful information about your case or call us for a free consultation to answer your important questions.

The attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC serve people throughout Mississippi including: North Mississippi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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How Medical Issues Following an Auto Accident Can Change Your Life

Statistically speaking, if you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, there’s a good chance there were injuries sustained, whether minor or severe. At least one out of every three motor vehicle accident causes a relatively serious injury, meaning that out of the over six million car accidents in the United States each year, two million will result in over three million men, women and children sustaining injuries.

While some of these injuries will be minor cuts, scrapes and bruises, many more will render injuries which will be life changing, and sometimes life-ending. Many soft-tissue injuries are virtually undetectable at the time of the accident, however may manifest themselves days or weeks down the line. For this reason, if you are ever involved in an accident, it’s important to be thoroughly checked out at the hospital, even if you believe you are completely all right.

How “Hidden” Injuries Can Come Back to Haunt You

Following a car accident, some injuries will be readily apparent. If you are bleeding, scraped or obviously bruised, or if it is clear you have a broken bone, then whether you will likely be whisked off to the hospital to have your injuries taken care of. However, many other types of injuries are not so visible and clear-cut.  Parts of your body were likely put under stress or strain from the impact of the collision between vehicles, or your vehicle and an immovable object.

This type of injury typically takes longer to manifest than blunt trauma injuries. It could be weeks, or even months after the accident when you begin to have headaches, neck or back pain, dizziness, or may even begin to have trouble remembering thing due to head trauma. Additionally, these types of injuries are harder to diagnose with traditional diagnostic equipment such as x-rays, MRIs and CAT scans. Although your pain is very real, these machines often fail to register soft tissue damage, leaving you frustrated and hurting.

Whiplash and Concussion

The two most common forms of injury which are severe enough to change your life, yet may be elusive enough that your doctor is unable to offer a definitive diagnosis are whiplash and concussion. Whiplash in particular is often taken lightly or even dismissed, however it is a serious injury which requires appropriate treatment for a full recovery. When the neck is suddenly distorted due to the impact of a car into your own, you can end up with mild to severe chronic headaches, shooting pains in your back and neck, minimization of your range of motion, swelling and muscle spasms, to name a few. Treatment for whiplash can range from self-care to professional medical treatments including rehabilitation exercises, chiropractic treatments and even surgery in severe cases.

Concussions are essentially a physical injury to the brain which disrupts the normal brain functions. In the early stages of a concussion, there may only be headache, dizziness or minor confusion. In later stages, the effects of a concussion can be much more significant, and can include a complete inability to concentrate on the task at hand, growing fatigued quickly and chronic irritability, anxiety and depression. In short, a more serious concussion can bring long-term effects, and can completely change not only your life, but the lives of those who love you as well.

After the Accident

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is necessary for you to commit to the medical rehabilitation as designed by your doctor. Many times people fail to take their injuries from a car accident seriously enough until the symptoms have grown to an unmanageable level. If you were injured as the direct result of another’s negligence, a personal injury attorney can help you determine whether or not you have a valid claim, and can help you navigate both your medical treatments as well as your insurance claim.

Call and speak with an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer from Barrett Law, PLLC.  Be sure to visit our web blog for more helpful information about your case or call us for a free consultation to answer your important questions.

The attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC serve people throughout Mississippi including: North Mississippi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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How Red Light Cameras May Actually Cause Auto Accidents in Mississippi

The very first red light camera ticketing device was used in New York City in 1993. Since that time, some 24 states have implemented red light cameras while another 15 have banned them altogether. You may wonder why there is such a divided opinion on the use of these automated ticketing systems. Research and studies don’t seem to provide a definitive answer as to whether these systems cause accidents or prevent them as you will read both opinions almost equally. If you’ve been the victim of an accident you believe to have been caused by a red light camera, it’s important to have an experienced attorney who is well aware of the diverse opinions regarding red light camera accidents.

Red Light Cameras May Reduce Some Accidents

When referring to broadside car crashes, red light cameras may actually reduce these types of accidents. Broadside car crashes are caused when a car illegally enters crossing traffic, crashing squarely into the side of another car. Slightly more studies than not have shown this particular type of accident is a bit reduced through the use of red light cameras. The Washington Post, however, conducted a study of traffic accidents at intersections policed by red light cameras and found T-bone collisions actually rose 30 percent. The underlying theory is that motorists are less likely to run a yellow or flat-out red light if they are aware of the red light camera at the intersection, however this theory does not always hold true.

Red Light Cameras May Cause Accidents

Even though red-light cameras are occasionally credited with reducing broadside car accidents, they are almost universally given credit for increasing the incidence of rear-end accidents. This occurs when a person is headed through an intersection when the light is green, or has barely turned yellow. They realize there is a red light camera up on the pole and slam on their brakes in an attempt to avoid a ticket in the mail a week down the road. Unfortunately, the person behind them was not privy to that thought process, so plows right into the car whose driver made the sudden—and ill-advised—decision to stop instead of continuing safely through the intersection. In almost every study done, rear-end accidents increased significantly at intersections where red-light camera ticketing systems were being used.

Weighing the Evidence

Because a broadside crash will generally cause more severe injuries than a rear end accident—though not always—proponents of red light cameras believe there are less serious injuries when red light cameras are in place. However, the Washington Post investigation once more found to the contrary, stating that both injury and fatal crashes increases as much as 80% in intersections where red light cameras were used.

What is Spillover Effect?

When drivers change their behavior around other intersections in the area whether or not they are equipped with red light cameras, this is known as spillover effect, meaning that if the red light cameras change behavior—whether negatively or positively—then the behavior is also changed at non-camera intersections. The assumption is that if a red light camera at one intersection brings positive changes to driver’s behavior, then this positive behavior will spill over to all intersections in the area. The same would be true if you believe red light cameras result in negative driver behavior and more accidents.

The truth is, whether red light cameras increase auto accidents or decrease them, as long as they are bringing in the huge amounts of revenue they currently are, they will remain in full force. Municipalities find red-light cameras an easy way to increase city revenues without the need of a human body patrolling the area constantly on the off chance they will catch someone sailing through a red light. If you believe a red-light camera was directly responsible for your accident with injuries, a Mississippi personal injury attorney will be able to advise you as to whether it is likely you could receive a settlement through filing a claim.

Call and speak with an experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyer from Barrett Law, PLLC.  Be sure to visit our web blog for more helpful information about your case or call us for a free consultation to answer your important questions.

The attorneys at Barrett Law, PLLC serve people throughout Mississippi including: North Mississippi, Jackson, Hattiesburg, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

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