Is it legal to turn right on red at a stoplight in Texas? Yes, if there are no signs that prohibit right turns and you follow the traffic laws, it is legal to turn right on red at a stoplight. If you or someone you love is hurt due to an illegal right turn, an Arlington car accident lawyer can help you build a strong personal injury claim against the liable driver.
When Turning Right on Red in Texas is Legal
Any red light is a signal to be aware of potential danger. A driver can legally turn right on red after taking these steps:
- Ensuring no signs exist that prevent turning right on red
- Completely stopping behind the traffic line or designated space for stopping. Rolling stops violate traffic laws.
- Stopping should occur before entering a pedestrian crosswalk. Drivers should observe pedestrians’ traffic signals.
- Yielding the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic before turning onto the highway or across a crosswalk.
Traffic lights in Texas vary from city to city. Drivers should remain diligent and familiar with local laws and safe driving procedures. You may file a claim or have the right to civil action when a driver turns right on red in Texas and injures you.
It Can Be Illegal to Turn Right on Red at a Stoplight in Texas
To turn right on red in Texas, you follow the Transportation Code Rules of the Road (Sec.544.007(d)). Drivers should always look for posted signs that make it illegal to turn right at a red stoplight. Placing signs prohibiting no turn on red may occur in areas where turning right on red in Texas is dangerous to the driver and oncoming traffic, such as:
- Highways and intersections with complex traffic flow consisting of multi-lane patterns or complex road configurations
- Intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic
- Low-visibility intersections where oncoming traffic is not easily visible, and speed creates potential hazards
- Trafficked areas with a documented history of accidents and near misses
It is only legal to turn right on red when proven safe. Failing to observe signs prohibiting these actions is a traffic violation. A driver may be legally liable for damages when ignoring the law and turning right on red causes an accident.
Steps to Take if a Driver Turning Right on Red in Texas Injures You
Taking proactive steps, when possible, is necessary to protect you and others in a car wreck from further injury. High-traffic areas on Texas highways present further dangers to your safety. Take these steps after an accident due to a driver turning right on red in Texas:
- Move out of traffic
- Call 911
- Allow emergency medical care
- Photograph the accident scene, particularly the position the automobiles come to rest in
- Exchange contact information with all drivers in the accident
- Ask witnesses for their contact information
- Speak with law enforcement on the scene
Multiple factors impact the level of injury you may experience. Some injuries may only present symptoms days following an accident. Receiving medical care is imperative to documenting the cause of your damages.
Proving a Right Turn on Red Illegal in Texas
You will be responsible for proving your injuries and damages from a driver turning illegally at a red stoplight. An Arlington car accident attorney can investigate the accident to uncover negligence in the at-fault driver’s actions.
Critical Evidence to Support Your Claim
Evidence may include:
- Traffic camera footage
- Nearby business video surveillance
- Cell phone records
- Black box data
- Witness testimony
- Expert witness statements
Protecting the evidence in a case is vital to your compensation. A car accident attorney in Arlington can file legal actions to prevent the loss of time-sensitive evidence. Court cases may benefit from expert witness testimony explaining how turning right on red at a stoplight caused your injuries.
Negligence Laws in Texas
Complex negligence laws determine who is at fault in a traffic accident. Texas modified comparative negligence laws allow the assigning of proportionate responsibility. A lawyer with our firm will strive to ensure the percentage of fault assigned to your actions is accurate.
Recoverable Damages After a Right Turn Accident at a Stoplight in Texas
A driver who injures you while turning right on red in Texas may face criminal and civil actions. Filing a civil action for recoverable damages after a car accident is your legal right. However, our team will strive to negotiate a claim for you successfully without going to court.
A statute of limitations places legal parameters on how long you have to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Waiting to schedule a consultation can deprive you of the financial recovery you deserve. Failing to take legal action as soon as possible can leave you covering the costs of an accident.
In most instances, you must file a claim two years from the date a right-turn accident injures you. Accidents involving government entities, minors, or individuals with impaired mental capacity fall under other time limits, may require notification of civil action, and permit less or more time depending on the accident and who is injured. These variables make it imperative to learn more about your rights as soon as possible.
Discuss Your Injuries in a Right Turn Car Accident in Texas
You can turn right on red in Texas when the law allows it, and you have followed all the safety precautions, including coming to a complete stop and yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The Texas Law Dog can help you determine if your damages result from negligence and your legal options. Schedule a free consultation and case review to protect your claim.
