Red Light Runner Injures San Francisco Parking Officer

A San Francisco city employee sustained serious personal injuries in a car accident the morning of July 23, 2010. According to a news report in The San Francisco Examiner, the injury collision happened when a driver ran a red light while traveling west on Ellis Street and collided with the utility vehicle that the parking enforcement officer was driving. The officer was ejected from the vehicle, which then landed on top of him. The victim was wearing a helmet. His injuries were serious, but not life-threatening.

I hope this city employee did not sustain catastrophic injuries and pray for his quick and complete recovery.

Accident Statistics

Red light running is a serious problem nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2005 alone, nearly 9,200 people died and 1 million people were injured in intersection-related car accidents nationwide. That number accounts for nearly 45 percent of all traffic accidents. According to 2005 data from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crashes caused by red light running resulted in an estimated 805 fatalities.

Fault and Liability

Running a red light is illegal in California under Vehicle Code section 21453 (a). California Vehicle Code section 21453 (a) states: "A driver facing a circular red signal shall stop at the limit line before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain stopped until an indication to proceed is shown."

In such cases, injured victims would be well-advised to consult an experienced San Francisco personal injury lawyer who will advise them about their legal rights and options. A knowledgeable car accident lawyer will also be able to inform them about how their car insurance policy will apply to an incident where the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured.

Do you believe that intersection cameras help deter drivers from running red lights?

None of the parties mentioned in this article are represented by us at the time this article was posted. The source of our information is cited in the article. If you were involved in this incident and have questions as to your rights and options, call a reputable law firm for a consultation. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. The BISNAR | CHASE personal injury law firm will provide free, confidential consultation to "not at fault" persons and their family members if you mention your source was the “Personal Injury Law Journal." They can be reached at 866-456-5235 during California business hours.