Running Red Light Accident Lawyer in Dallas

Every day in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, drivers blow through red lights at intersections along busy corridors like Loop 288, University Drive, and US-380 near Denton’s Square. When that happens, the results are often catastrophic. A red light runner does not just break the law, they take away another driver’s right to move safely through an intersection. If you or someone you love was hurt in this kind of crash, you deserve to know your rights, and you deserve to have personal injury lawyers in your corner who understand how these cases work under Texas law.

Table of Contents

• What Texas Law Says About Running a Red Light
• How Dangerous Are Red Light Crashes in Texas and Across the U.S.?
• Who Is Liable After a Red Light Accident in Dallas or Denton?
• Evidence That Wins Red Light Accident Cases
• What Compensation Can You Recover After a Red Light Crash?
• FAQs About Running Red Light Accidents in Dallas and Denton

What Texas Law Says About Running a Red Light

Texas Transportation Code Section 544.007 is the law that governs traffic control signals in Texas. Under Section 544.007(d), a driver facing a steady red signal must stop at a clearly marked stop line. If no stop line exists, the driver must stop before the crosswalk. A vehicle that is not turning must stay stopped until a signal to proceed is shown. The law is clear, and there are no exceptions for being in a hurry, running late, or misjudging the light.

Violating this law is a Class A misdemeanor when it results in injury to another person. Even without injury, running a red light is a Class C misdemeanor under Texas law. That criminal classification matters in your civil case. When a driver breaks a traffic safety law and causes a crash, Texas courts have recognized that this can constitute negligence per se, meaning the driver is legally negligent as a matter of law. You do not have to spend hours arguing whether the driver was careless. The violation of Section 544.007 does much of that work for you.

The law also makes clear that a yellow signal is a warning that the green light is ending, not an invitation to speed up. Under Section 544.007(e), a steady yellow signal warns that a red signal is coming. Drivers who accelerate through a yellow and enter the intersection after it turns red are still in violation. This is a common scenario near high-traffic intersections around Denton’s Loop 288 and the I-35E corridor, where drivers routinely push through changing lights. If the driver who hit you entered the intersection on red, that fact is central to your case.

How Dangerous Are Red Light Crashes in Texas and Across the U.S.?

Red light running is not a minor traffic offense. It is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do. Red light running happens frequently and is often deadly. In 2023, 1,086 people were killed in crashes that involved red light running. That number represents real families, real communities, and real losses that did not have to happen.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that red-light running is the leading cause of urban crashes in the United States. Urban areas like the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, including Denton, Lewisville, and Frisco, carry some of the highest intersection traffic volumes in the state. The more cars at an intersection, the greater the risk when someone decides to run a red light.

Among drivers involved in fatal red-light-running crashes in 2023, the red light runners were more likely to be male, younger, and to have prior crashes or alcohol-impaired driving convictions. The red light runners also were more likely to be speeding or alcohol-impaired at the time of the crash. This tells us that red light running is often paired with other reckless behaviors. In many cases, the at-fault driver in your crash may have had a history of dangerous driving. That history can be relevant to your claim. According to NHTSA’s 2024 final traffic crash data, 39,254 people were killed and 2.42 million more were injured in motor vehicle crashes that year. Red light running contributed to a significant portion of those crashes, especially in densely trafficked metro areas like Dallas.

Who Is Liable After a Red Light Accident in Dallas or Denton?

Fault in a red light crash usually points directly at the driver who ignored the signal. But liability does not always stop there. Texas uses a modified comparative fault system under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.003, which allows the jury to assign a percentage of fault to each party involved. As long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less, you can still recover damages. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you do not lose your right to compensation entirely.

What does this mean in real terms? Say you were traveling through a green light near the Denton County Courthouse area when another driver ran a red and hit your vehicle. The other driver may argue that you were speeding or not paying attention. Even if a jury finds you 10 percent at fault, you can still recover 90 percent of your total damages. This is why having an experienced car accident attorney matters. Insurance adjusters know how comparative fault works, and they use it to reduce what they pay you.

In some cases, other parties may share liability. If a commercial driver ran the red light while working, the employer may be liable. If a defective traffic signal contributed to the crash, the government entity responsible for maintaining it may be on the hook under limited circumstances through the Texas Tort Claims Act. Identifying every liable party is something your attorney should evaluate from the start. Do not assume the at-fault driver’s insurance is the only source of recovery.

Evidence That Wins Red Light Accident Cases

Proving that a driver ran a red light requires solid evidence. Eyewitness accounts help, but they are not always available or consistent. The strongest cases are built on multiple layers of proof gathered quickly after the crash. The first thing you should do after getting medical attention is contact an attorney who can begin preserving evidence before it disappears.

The official crash report is one of the most important documents in your case. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, you have the right to obtain a copy of the CR-3 crash report as a person directly involved in the accident. That report includes the investigating officer’s findings, witness information, and often a determination about who violated a traffic law. Your attorney can obtain this report and use it as a foundation for your claim.

Other evidence that matters includes surveillance footage from nearby businesses, dashcam video, traffic signal timing records, skid mark analysis, and data from the at-fault driver’s vehicle. Near the University of North Texas campus and along Carroll Boulevard in Denton, many intersections are covered by private security cameras that capture exactly what happened. Time is critical because many cameras overwrite footage within days. A car accident lawyer can send a preservation letter to businesses and government agencies quickly to secure that footage before it is gone.

Physical evidence from the crash scene, including point of impact, vehicle damage patterns, and debris fields, can also confirm that the collision happened mid-intersection, consistent with a red light violation. Accident reconstruction experts use this data to build a clear picture of what happened. In contested cases, that expert analysis can be the difference between a fair settlement and a denied claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Red Light Crash?

The injuries from a red light accident are often severe. These crashes frequently result in T-bone collisions, which are some of the most violent types of impacts a vehicle occupant can experience. The side of a car offers far less protection than the front or rear, and the force of a driver running a red at full speed can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries, and serious soft tissue damage. The financial and personal toll can last for years.

Texas law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for medical bills, both current and future, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. In cases involving especially reckless conduct, a court may also award exemplary damages. Every case is different, and the value of your claim depends on the facts, your injuries, and the available insurance coverage. Past results in other cases do not guarantee the same outcome in yours, but working with a skilled attorney gives you the best chance at a full and fair recovery.

Do not let the insurance company pressure you into a quick settlement. Adjusters often reach out within days of a crash with an offer that sounds reasonable but does not come close to covering your long-term costs. Before you sign anything, speak with a car accident lawyer who can evaluate the full scope of your damages. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys handles cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Call us at (940) 800-2500 for a free consultation.

If a family member was killed in a red light accident, Texas law provides a path to wrongful death damages, including compensation for the family’s loss of companionship, financial support, and the mental anguish of losing a loved one. The Texas statute of limitations generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Missing that deadline can bar your claim entirely, so acting promptly is critical. If a minor child was injured, Section 16.001 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code tolls the statute of limitations until the child turns 18, but waiting is still not advisable. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and building a strong case takes time. Contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 as soon as possible after your crash. Our office serves clients in Denton, Dallas, and throughout the surrounding communities, and we are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. If your crash happened in another part of the metroplex, our car accident attorney team also serves the Arlington area, and we have a car accident lawyer available for Fort Worth cases as well.

FAQs About Running Red Light Accidents in Dallas and Denton

What should I do immediately after a red light accident in Denton or Dallas?

Call 911 and get medical attention first, even if you feel okay. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries like whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, or internal damage. Stay at the scene, gather the other driver’s information, take photos of the vehicles and intersection, and get contact information from any witnesses. Do not admit fault or discuss the details of the crash with the other driver. Once you have received medical care, contact Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to discuss your legal options before speaking with any insurance adjuster.

How do I prove the other driver ran a red light?

Proof comes from multiple sources. The official CR-3 crash report, available under Texas Transportation Code Section 550.065, often includes the officer’s determination about traffic law violations. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses, dashcam video, eyewitness statements, traffic signal timing data, and accident reconstruction analysis all help establish that the other driver entered the intersection on red. Your attorney should move quickly to preserve this evidence before it is lost or overwritten.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Yes, in most cases. Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.003. As long as your percentage of fault is 50 percent or less, you can still recover damages. Your total compensation is reduced by your share of fault. For example, if you are found 15 percent at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would recover $85,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your share of fault to reduce their payout, which is exactly why having an attorney on your side matters.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a red light accident in Texas?

Texas generally gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit, under the statute of limitations in the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. If a loved one was killed, the two-year clock typically runs from the date of death. There are limited exceptions, including cases involving minor children, where the limitations period may be tolled until the child turns 18 under Section 16.001. Missing the deadline almost always means losing your right to recover anything, so contact an attorney as soon as possible after your crash.

Does it matter if the at-fault driver was also speeding or impaired?

It matters a great deal. When a driver runs a red light while also speeding or driving under the influence, it strengthens your negligence claim and may support a request for exemplary damages under Texas law. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that red light runners involved in fatal crashes are more likely to also be speeding or alcohol-impaired at the time of the crash. Evidence of these additional violations, such as a DWI charge or a speeding citation, can significantly increase the value of your case and put additional pressure on the at-fault driver’s insurance company to settle fairly.

More Resources About Causes of Car Accidents in Dallas, TX

• Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer in Dallas
• Texting and Driving Accident Attorney in Dallas
• Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Dallas
• Drug-Impaired Driving Accident Attorney in Dallas
• Speeding Accident Lawyer in Dallas
• Reckless Driving Accident Attorney in Dallas
• Fatigued Driving Accident Lawyer in Dallas
• Failure to Yield Accident Attorney in Dallas
• Road Rage Accident Attorney in Dallas