What to Do at an Intersection with Flashing Lights: A Guide for Illinois Drivers
Navigating intersections can be one of the most dangerous aspects of driving, especially when traffic lights aren’t functioning normally. Flashing red or yellow lights at intersections often confuse drivers, leading to serious car accidents and potential personal injury claims. If you’ve ever wondered what to do at an intersection with flashing lights, this guide breaks it down, so you and your loved ones can stay safe.
Understanding Flashing Lights at Intersections
Flashing lights are used when standard traffic signals are malfunctioning, during power outages, or in certain low-traffic zones.
Here’s what they typically mean:
- Flashing Red Light: Treat it like a stop sign. You must come to a complete stop, yield to all other traffic and pedestrians, and proceed only when it is safe to do so.
- Flashing Yellow Light: Proceed with caution. You do not have to stop, but you should slow down and be prepared to yield to vehicles or pedestrians.
According to the Illinois Vehicle Code, drivers must obey flashing signals with the same caution and responsibility as regular traffic signs. Failure to do so can result in fines, points on your license, and increased liability in the event of a collision.
Common Causes of Intersection Accidents
Even when signals are flashing, not all drivers know how to respond appropriately.
Common causes of personal injury at flashing-light intersections include:
- Failure to yield: Many drivers either misinterpret the signal or deliberately ignore it.
- Speeding through a yellow flashing light: This reckless behavior can result in T-bone accidents.
- Distracted driving: Drivers using phones or GPS may miss crucial signal changes.
- Impatience at flashing red lights: Impatient drivers may not wait their turn, causing collisions.
These actions not only put lives at risk but can also expose the at-fault driver to liability under Illinois negligence law, which holds individuals accountable when their carelessness causes injury to others.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident at a Flashing Light Intersection
If you’ve been involved in an accident at an intersection with flashing lights, your actions immediately after the crash can impact your ability to recover compensation in a personal injury claim:
- Seek medical attention: Even minor injuries can worsen without treatment.
- Call the police: An official accident report can be key evidence.
- Take photos and collect witness information: This documentation may support your version of events.
- Avoid admitting fault: Let the investigation and your attorney determine liability.
- Consult a personal injury lawyer: Insurance companies may offer quick settlements, but these often undervalue your injuries and damages.
These steps can help minimize injury as well as protect you if you decide to file a claim.
How Illinois Law Impacts Your Personal Injury Case
In Illinois, personal injury claims following a car accident are governed by comparative fault rules. This means if you are found partially at fault for the crash, your compensation can be reduced proportionally. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your recovery will be reduced by 20%. However, if you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering anything.
This is why having an experienced Illinois personal injury attorney is critical—they can investigate the crash, prove the other driver’s fault, and protect your rights under Illinois law.
Safety First, Liability Second
Knowing how to respond to flashing traffic lights can help prevent serious accidents and potential lawsuits. Always treat flashing red lights as stop signs, proceed cautiously at flashing yellows, and stay alert to the behavior of other drivers. And if you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence at one of these intersections, remember: you have legal rights under Illinois law, and an experienced injury lawyer can help you protect them.
Contact Our Northbrook Car Accident Law Firm at Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers
If you were injured in an accident in Northbrook, IL, and need legal help, contact our Northbrook car accident lawyers at Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
Kass & Moses Personal Injury Lawyers
601 Skokie Blvd Suite 401
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 513-9582
