Who Has the Right-of-Way When Traffic Lights Are Out?

If you’re familiar with Indiana, then you’re also likely acquainted with our stormy weather patterns. Last year, the Hoosier state reported hundreds of severe thunderstorms to the National Weather Service, coupled with just as many instances of damage from high winds and hail.

Indiana’s stormy and windy weather has a history of being responsible for a wide variety of hazards, but perhaps none are more widespread than the dangerous conditions they create on our roadways.

In addition to slick roads, loss of visibility, flooding, and debris, it’s not uncommon to see inoperable traffic lights, leaving them blinking (often red in all directions) or completely out. And, as you may have experienced, inoperable traffic lights lead to increased intersection dangers.

Attorney Matt Boulton has handled a number of car accidents that occurred due to traffic lights affected by storms, high winds, and ice. During his many investigations across the state, Matt has found the primary cause of these collisions to occur when one or more drivers simply fail to yield the right-of-way.

Right-of-Way at Blinking or Inoperable Traffic Lights

Indiana law says blinking or inoperable traffic lights must be treated like a stop sign. Each driver must approach the intersection, make a complete stop, and yield to the driver(s) who proceed them in all opposing directions. Only after the intersection is clear can they then proceed.

In short, drivers must alternate through the intersection by waiting their turn.

And while the law is straightforward, the various configurations of Indiana’s intersections have the potential to cause confusion and/or lead to misunderstandings, especially considering the fact that inoperable stop lights can return to normal operation at any time and without any warning.

In addition to failing to yield the right-of-way, other contributing factors that lead to car accidents at blinking or inoperable traffic lights include:

• Speed
• Distracted driving
• Impatience
• Adverse road conditions
• Attempting to directly follow the car in front of them, or ‘going two at a time.’
• Low visibility

If a driver is unfamiliar with Indiana’s right-of-way laws at a broken traffic light, the potential for a serious accident significantly increases.

To better understand how easily this type of car accident can occur, we’ll take a look at a case Matt recently handled that involved an inoperable stoplight.

Indiana Storm Knocks Out Traffic Light and Leads to Car Accident

The following car accident occurred in Martinsville, Indiana at the intersection of Morton Avenue and Hacker Drive.

According to an officer with the Martinsville Police Department, the accident was reported during morning daylight hours, with clear visibility, and dry road conditions. Despite the seemingly favorable conditions, the intersection’s traffic light was inoperable due to a previous, severe storm.

Further investigation revealed Driver 1 was traveling south on Morton Avenue before approaching the Morton Avenue intersection. Driver 1 stated they didn’t stop at the intersection, but they had noticed Driver 2 stopped at the intersection light, facing east.

Driver 2 told the officer they noted the stoplight was inoperable at Morton Ave. and Hacker Drive. As a result, they had come to a full stop, waiting their turn for stopped traffic in opposing lanes. When it was their turn, Driver 2 entered the intersection unaware that Driver 1 would fail to yield.

As a result, Driver 2 collided with the passenger side door of Driver 1. The collision’s impact was forceful enough to spin Driver 2’s vehicle 180 degrees, leaving it facing west.

The accident left Driver 2 with various injuries; most notable being left shoulder pain. Responding medics believed Driver 2 may have sustained a shoulder dislocation. The injury was significant enough to require ambulance transport to Martinsville’s IU Morgan Hospital.

The investigating officer estimated the combined property damage to be between $10,000 – $25,000. The damage to Driver 2’s vehicle required it to be towed from the scene of the accident.

Hiring an Experienced Indiana Injury Attorney

Due to the serious nature of Driver 2’s injuries, they sought out an experienced Martinsville personal injury attorney, eventually speaking to Matt and choosing to hire the Boulton Law Group.

After investigating the facts of the case, Matt advised the client he would be able to handle the case in its entirety, leaving the client to focus solely on their medical treatment.

Once the client was released from treatment, Matt obtained all of the related medical records and bills, as well as other miscellaneous expenses, and built a custom demand package for the defending insurance company’s review.

In addition to accepting 100% liability for the accident, the defendant’s insurance company agreed to Matt’s assessment and demands, leading to his client receiving maximum compensation for their personal injury claim.

About Boulton Law Group

Founded by attorney Matt Boulton, Boulton Law Group is one of Indiana’s top-rated personal injury law firms. The firm is exclusively dedicated to personal injury claims, including cases involving:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Dog bite injury
• Slip and fall accidents
• Wrongful death lawsuits
• Nursing home abuse
• Negligent security lawsuits

Matt’s track record of success as a personal injury attorney has led him to be sought by accident victims and families throughout the entire state.

In addition to a history of high-profile casework and trial victories, Matt has developed a well-known reputation for providing his clients with the type of attention that makes people feel as though they Get Treated Like Family.

Boulton Law Group also provides every accident victim with a Zero Fee Guarantee, meaning no one ever pays for a legal consultation. Also, the firm never receives payment for any services until the client’s case is won.

To receive a free case review, you can send the details of your accident directly to the firm by using our confidential contact form. We look forward to learning more about your situation and how we might be able to help!