--- description: Washington, DC personal injury lawyers at CSCS discuss truck accidents caused by running red lights. Call today for a free consultation. title: Trucks Running Red Lights | Truck Accident Lawyers --- Trucks Running Red Lights | Truck Accident Lawyers # Red Light Accidents Last Updated: September 5, 2024 Reading Time: 5 minutes Trusted Content ### Legally Reviewed by Allan Siegel Updated 2 years ago [Home](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/) » [Washington DC Truck Accident Lawyer](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/) » Red Light Accidents What's On This Page ## [Case Results](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/case-results/) $3 Million Truck Crash $1.8 Million Truck Crash $1.4 Million Truck Crash $1.25 Million Truck Crash $900,000 Truck Crash $750,000 Truck Crash ## [View All Practice Areas](https://chaikinandsherman.com/practice-areas/) ## [Testimonials](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/blog/testimonials-hub/) I would never worry again if they are on the case. Tilwanda Dofat Personal Injury They held my hand through the entire process. 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"*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Name* Last Email** Phone*Are you a new client?*Are you a new client? *Yes, I'm a potential new client.No, I'm a current existing client.I'm neitherCase TypeCase TypeMotor Vehicle AccidentSlip & FallAssaultMedical MalpracticeAbuseWork InjuryOtherWere You at Fault?Were You At Fault?NoYesUnknownWhere Did The Incident Occur?Where Did The Incident Occur?Washington, D.C.VirginiaMarylandOtherDid The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?Did The Accident Occur In the Last Two Years?YesNoShare Brief Description of the Incident* Video Transcript Ira Sherman: The operator of a tractor trailer has a special responsibility because that, as a weapon, is way more powerful than an automobile could be if it struck you in the rear or anywhere. It is a comparison between a bullet of an automobile and a bomb of a tractor trailer. Allan Siegel: There’s a lot more involved in a truck crash case than there is in a car crash case. And not every law firm knows and understands trucking cases. There are federal rules and federal regulations that govern the trucking industry that they must follow, and a lawyer who’s handling those types of cases needs to know all of those laws, needs to know hours of service, needs to know how they’re supposed to keep their logs. I am on the executive board of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group. I will eventually be the chair of that group. I’ve worked with that group and been on the board for many years and have been working and have a deep understanding of trucking cases. Joseph Cammarata: If it’s a heavy use vehicle, dump truck, a garbage truck, U-Haul, tractor trailer, 18 wheeler, those are trucks. So we’re not just talking about 18 wheelers. Those big rigs that you see on the road. Stephen Ollar: It’s not always just the truck that’s at fault. Maybe the truck trucking company itself was negligent in not providing enough supervision for the truck driver. So there’s a lot that goes into it, and it’s something that we pride ourselves in.   ## Trucks Running Red Lights Even under the best circumstances, tractor-trailers can be hazardous for other motorists. “Fender benders” involving cars and trucks are rare; any [truck accident](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/) is usually disastrous for the passenger vehicle. The level of danger increases when a truck driver blatantly disobeys traffic laws by driving through a stop sign or running a red light. You might be eligible for compensation if you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident caused by a truck driver running a red light. The attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel P.C. can help you pursue a truck accident lawsuit to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us for a[ free consultation](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) today. ## Why Trucks Run Red Lights The greater a truck’s mass and weight are, the more stopping distance it will require. All too often, a trucker will find it difficult to stop quickly enough when they encounter a stop sign or a red light and proceed through the intersection. This scenario happens most often on steeply graded roads where trucks cannot safely stop. In other cases, however, a truck driver may purposely run a red light when they could stop. For example, if the truck travels through a small town or a warehouse district and the driver assumes no other traffic is approaching, they may ignore the traffic signal and run the red light. ### Catching Other Motorists Off-Guard Suppose another motorist obeys their green light, and a truck runs a red light. In that case, there is usually no time for the passenger vehicle’s driver to react. Even an alert driver may only realize that a truck is crossing the intersection once it is too late. It takes only a few seconds of carelessness for a serious truck accident to occur. No matter how difficult it may be for a truck to stop, the fact remains that truck drivers are trained to anticipate stopping at [intersections](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/intersections/) and to prepare for the possibility of a green light turning red. When another person is seriously injured because of a truck driver’s poor judgment, they deserve full compensation for their injuries and losses. ## Can I File a Lawsuit Against The Truck Driver Who Ran a Red Light? Yes, you can [file a lawsuit against](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/filing-claim-against-a-trucking-company/) the truck driver who ran a red light if they caused an accident in which another person was injured. ### Proving Liability To prove that the truck driver ran the red light, you must establish liability by gathering evidence from witnesses and physical damage to the vehicles involved. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras may also be used as proof. After demonstrating that the truck driver was at fault, you can file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages. Proving liability in a truck accident caused by a truck driver running a red light can be complex. Evidence, such as eyewitness accounts or physical damage to the vehicles involved, is typically needed to confirm that the truck driver was at fault. In addition, surveillance footage from nearby cameras may be used as evidence to back up claims. An experienced truck accident lawyer will be able to evaluate all available evidence and help you build a strong case in your favor. ### How Truck Drivers and Their Companies Will Fight Back Truck drivers and truck companies may argue that other motorists were not following traffic laws or tried to suddenly make turns without warning signs. Additionally, they may claim that [weather conditions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/trucking-accident-causes/poor-weather-conditions/) or road hazards impacted their ability to stop in time at intersections. It is critical for victims of these accidents to engage experienced lawyers who can contest such defenses and fight for maximum compensation on their behalf. Contact our team of experienced truck accident attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel P.C. to help you pursue a truck accident lawsuit. Our lawyers have years of experience litigating truck accident cases in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C.; we are ready to fight for fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal options after being injured in a truck accident caused by a red light violation. ## You Can Recover Damages From Red Light Running Accidents Truck drivers have a duty to [keep other motorists safe](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/truck-safety/) and not run red light accidents. When truck drivers fail in this regard, the consequences for passengers of other vehicles can be catastrophic. Suppose the victims of such accidents can prove the fault and negligence of the truck driver. In that case, they may be eligible for compensation which includes: ### – Medical expenses: Medical expenses related to truck accidents caused by a truck driver running a red light can be significant. Injuries in these accidents can range from whiplash, broken bones, and concussions to more severe conditions such as [traumatic brain injury](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/car-accidents/brain-injuries/), spinal cord damage, and paralysis. While medical bills for emergency care may be covered by health insurance, future medical costs resulting from the accident may not. ### – Lost wages: If you can’t work due to an injury caused by a truck driver running a red light, you are entitled to recover lost wages. You may also be eligible for compensation if you have suffered a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your job. ### – Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering is a non-economic damage that compensates you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish associated with an injury caused by a truck driver running a red light. This type of compensation is typically determined through negotiations between the plaintiff’s attorney and the insurance company. ### – Property damage costs: You may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses related to the repair or replacement of your damaged vehicle and items in the car at the time of the accident. ### – Funeral expenses, in the case of wrongful death: Suppose a [loved one has been killed](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/wrongful-death/) in an accident caused by a truck driver running a red light. In that case, you may be eligible to receive compensation for funeral costs. Our attorneys have decades of experience helping victims of truck accidents recover the damages they are due. We can help you get the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel P.C., our experienced attorneys can help you fight for the compensation you deserve after a truck accident due to running a red light. We understand that no amount of money can undo the emotional and physical damage resulting from such an accident; however, we believe that reckless truckers should be held accountable for their actions. ## Why Choose Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, Siegel, P.C.? Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, Siegel, P.C. is a full-service personal injury law firm. Our Washington, DC, truck accident lawyers are committed to excellence. We believe that accidents are avoidable and that negligent individuals and companies should be held liable for their careless decisions – especially if they result in the injury or death of an innocent person. When you work with our firm, you can have peace of mind knowing that our team has more than 100 years of combined experience. Over the years, we have developed legal strategies to give our clients the best possible chance of a favorable case outcome. Today, we are prepared to use our skills to give you the upper hand in court. With more than $500 million in successful case settlements and verdicts, we are confident in our ability to represent your case. [Contact our team](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/contact-us/) today for a FREE consultation. ## Get free advice about the compensation you deserve. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., our car accident attorneys fight tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve, handling every aspect of your case to protect your rights. Trust us to stand by you and advocate aggressively on your behalf. Speak to a Specialist ## Visit Us in Person 1232 17th St NW Washington, DC 20036 The truck accident lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. represent injured motorists across the Washington, D.C. metro area, including [Northern Virginia truck accident cases](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/northern-virginia-truck-accident-lawyers/) ([Arlington](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/arlington-va/), [Alexandria](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/alexandria/), and [Fairfax County trucking claims](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/fairfax/)), and Maryland ([Rockville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/rockville/), [Montgomery County truck collisions](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/montgomery-county/), [Silver Spring](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/silver-spring/), [Hyattsville](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/hyattsville/), and [Waldorf](https://www.chaikinandsherman.com/truck-accidents/waldorf/)). ## Top 10 Mistakes Made After an Accident Review these common auto accident mistakes to protect your rights. READ OUR E-BOOK ### Meet Our Team Learn More About Us Ira Sherman Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and New York With over four decades of courtroom experience, **Ira Sherman** is a powerhouse trial lawyer who has won justice for countless victims of serious injury, discrimination, and medical malpractice. Known for his relentless advocacy, compassion, and proven results, he’s the attorney clients trust when everything is on the line. Ira Sherman's Bio Joseph Cammarata Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia A dual board-certified civil trial attorney, **Joseph Cammarata** is nationally recognized for his fierce advocacy, landmark legal victories, and relentless pursuit of justice for victims of serious injury, wrongful death, sexual assault, and civil rights violations. With wins against powerful opponents—including a historic U.S. Supreme Court case securing equal access to justice—he’s the attorney clients trust when they need skill, strength, and results that matter. Joe Cammarata's Bio Allan M. Siegel​ Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Allan M. Siegel** is a board-certified trial attorney and partner at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C., known for securing justice in serious personal injury, brain injury, and wrongful death cases. Recognized as one of Washington’s *Top 100 Super Lawyers®* and a *Best Lawyer®* in America, he combines strategic precision, courtroom skill, and relentless advocacy to win full and fair compensation for his clients. Allan Siegel's Bio Stephen Ollar Partner Licensed in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia **Stephen Ollar** is an award-winning trial attorney and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to holding negligent individuals and corporations accountable. Recognized as a *Super Lawyers Rising Star* from 2020–2025, he’s known for his tenacity, precision, and unwavering pursuit of justice in personal injury, auto accident, and medical malpractice cases. Stephen Ollar's Bio ### Related Articles Read More Blog Articles Dangers of Self-Driving Delivery Trucks Why Are Accidents Involving Amazon Delivery Vehicles Increasing? 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