If someone runs a red light and hits you, the most important things to do are check for injuries, call 911, document the scene, and avoid admitting fault before you understand what happened. These crashes often happen at high speed, so they can be disorienting, but taking a few clear steps in the moments afterward protects both your health and legal claim.
Red-light crashes are usually the fault of the driver who ran the light, but proving that is not always as simple as it sounds. The steps you take right after the collision can make a real difference in showing what actually happened.
If you were injured because another driver blew through a red light, you may have a strong claim. At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, a West Hollywood car accident lawyer can investigate the crash, gather the evidence, and deal with the insurance company so you can focus on recovering.
Step 1: Check for Injuries and Call 911
Your health comes first. Check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries before doing anything else. Even if everyone seems okay, call 911 so police and medical responders can come to the scene.
Calling the police also creates an official record of the crash. The responding officer will typically document the scene and file a police report, which can be valuable evidence later when it comes to proving the other driver ran the light.
Step 2: Move to Safety if You Can
If the vehicles are in a dangerous spot and can be moved, get them out of traffic to avoid a second collision. If a car cannot be moved safely, leave it, turn on your hazard lights, and get yourself to a safe area away from moving traffic.
Never leave the scene entirely, though. Leaving after an accident, even one that was not your fault, can create serious legal problems.
Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene
Evidence disappears quickly after a crash, so gather as much as you can while you are still there. If you are physically able to, try to:
- Take photos and video of both vehicles, their positions, and the damage
- Photograph the intersection, including the traffic signals and any skid marks
- Get the other driver’s name, license, insurance, and contact information
- Collect names and phone numbers from any witnesses
- Note the time, weather, and anything else that stood out
Witnesses matter a great deal in red-light cases. When someone runs a red light and hits you, an independent witness who saw the light turn red can be the difference between a smooth claim and a drawn-out dispute over who had the right of way.
Step 4: Be Careful What You Say
In the confusion right after a crash, it is natural to want to smooth things over. But avoid apologizing or saying anything that could be taken as admitting fault, even something as simple as “I’m sorry.” Those words can be used against you later.
Stick to the facts when talking to police, and let the evidence show that the other driver ran the light. You do not have to accuse the other driver on the spot either. Just describe what happened clearly and honestly.
Step 5: Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible. Adrenaline can mask pain after a crash, and some injuries, like whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries, may not show symptoms for hours or even days.
Getting checked out promptly protects your health and also creates a medical record that links your injuries to the crash. A gap between the accident and your first medical visit gives the insurance company room to argue your injuries were not that serious or came from something else.
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Step 6: Notify Your Insurer, but Be Cautious
You generally need to report the accident to your own insurance company. When you do, stick to the basic facts. Avoid giving a recorded statement or accepting any early settlement offer before speaking with a lawyer, especially if you were injured.
The other driver’s insurer may also reach out. Remember that their goal is to pay as little as possible, and even a friendly-sounding adjuster is looking for anything that shifts blame onto you.
Proving the Other Driver Ran the Red Light
Knowing what to do when someone runs a red light and hits you also means understanding how fault gets proven. The driver who runs a red light is almost always at fault, but their insurer may still dispute it. Evidence that helps establish fault includes:
- Traffic camera or nearby surveillance footage
- Witness statements from people who saw the light
- The police report and the officer’s observations
- Vehicle damage patterns that show the point of impact
California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, meaning fault can be shared. Even if the other driver argues you were partly responsible, you can still recover compensation, reduced by your share of fault. This is exactly why gathering strong evidence early is so important.
How Omega Law Group Can Help
Knowing what to do when someone runs a red light and hits you can protect your health and your right to compensation. But you do not have to handle the aftermath alone, especially when you are trying to heal.
At Omega Law Group Accident & Injury Attorneys, we treat every client like family. A car accident lawyer at Omega Law Group can investigate the crash, secure the footage and witness statements that prove what happened, and take on the insurance company for you.
We offer free consultations, work on contingency, which means no fee unless we win, and are available 24/7 with assistance in Spanish. If a red-light runner injured you, reach out to Omega Law Group today and let our family take care of yours.
