There’s a certain kind of shock that happens when someone blows through a red light in an intersection. You didn’t expect it. You weren’t speeding. You had the green light. And then out of nowhere, a violent force that twists metal, shatters glass, and leaves you in pain. In San Antonio, where heavy traffic and fast-growing development already strain our roadways, these collisions can be especially dangerous and disorienting.
A red light crash is not something you walk away from without questions. Why did this happen? Who’s going to cover the bills? What happens if your injuries don’t heal like they’re supposed to? Speaking with an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer can help you find answers and protect your rights.
These are common questions people ask after a San Antonio red light crash, and most of them don’t have simple answers. If you were injured by a negligent driver, you’re likely dealing with more than sore muscles. You’re dealing with uncertainty, financial pressure, calls from insurance adjusters, and more. What you do next can shape everything that comes after.
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Red Light Crashes in San Antonio Can Cause Catastrophic Injuries and Death
Running a red light is one of the most dangerous traffic violations. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), red light runners killed 1,086 people and injured more than 136,000 others in one recent year. These accidents often happen at high speeds and without warning, leaving other drivers and passengers with no time to react.
San Antonio drivers see it all the time: cars trying to beat the light on Bandera Road, delivery vans rushing through yellow at Broadway and Hildebrand, or impatient drivers flying down Fredericksburg Road. These moments are more than annoying. They’re potentially deadly.
According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), intersection-related crashes account for a significant portion of all serious accidents in Bexar County. Unlike lower-speed rear-end collisions, red light accidents often involve high-speed side-impact or T-bone collisions, which can cause life-altering injuries or death.
Red light runners put everyone at risk: drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. And in a city like San Antonio, where thousands of people commute across expansive intersections every day, these accidents aren’t rare. They’re an unfortunate reality.
Where Do Most Red Light Crashes Happen in San Antonio?
San Antonio’s rapid growth has brought more traffic and more dangerous intersections. Certain areas see a higher number of serious crashes, especially those caused by red light violations.
TxDOT and local crash data consistently highlight several high-risk intersections in Bexar County, including:
- Loop 410 and Rigsby Avenue
- Bandera Road and Wurzbach Road
- IH-10 and Callaghan Road
- Culebra Road and General McMullen Drive
- Marbach Road and Loop 410
- Highway 151 and Loop 410
- Loop 1604 and Bandera Road
- Loop 1604 and Highway 281
- Loop 410 and San Pedro Avenue
- IH-10 and Loop 1604
- Fredericksburg Road and Medical Drive
- Potranco Road and Highway 211
These intersections combine heavy traffic, frequent lane changes, and fast signal cycles—conditions that increase the risk of red light running. Many serious crashes at these locations involve T-bone impacts or collisions with commercial vehicles during peak traffic hours.
Common Injuries After a Red Light Accident in Texas
Injuries from red light crashes tend to be more severe due to the angle and force of impact. These aren’t minor fender-benders on a quiet side street. They are violent collisions in the middle of major intersections like IH-35 at Walzem or Culebra and General McMullen.
Some of the most common injuries reported in San Antonio red light accidents include:
- Head trauma and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck and back injuries, including spinal cord damage
- Broken bones and crushed limbs
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Deep lacerations and facial injuries
- Psychological trauma, including PTSD
These injuries often require extensive treatment at facilities like Methodist Hospital or Brooke Army Medical Center. And the financial toll, from emergency care to long-term rehab, can add up quickly.
Who’s at Fault When a Driver Runs a Red Light in San Antonio?
Failing to stop at a red light is a clear violation of the Texas Transportation Code and is considered negligent behavior. That said, proving the other driver ran the light isn’t always straightforward or easy.
In Bexar County and across Texas, fault in a car crash is determined by evidence. That might include:
- San Antonio Police Department crash reports
- Traffic signal data or intersection surveillance footage
- Dashcam videos
- Eyewitness accounts from other drivers or pedestrians
- Skid marks and vehicle damage patterns
- Event data recorders (black boxes) from the vehicles
Fortunately, many busy intersections in San Antonio are monitored by traffic cameras or have nearby businesses with security footage. The sooner that footage is secured, the better.
A personal injury lawyer who handles red light accidents in San Antonio will know exactly how to request and preserve traffic surveillance video before it disappears.
What If the Other Driver Says They Had the Green Light?
In some cases, the driver who hit you might claim they had the right of way or even try to place the blame on you. Disputes like these are common, especially at intersections with no camera footage or conflicting witness statements.
These disputes are another reason why skilled legal representation is necessary, especially when your injuries are serious and your damages are extensive.
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of the blame is less than 51%. But if the insurance company can argue that you were mostly at fault or suggest that a jury might see it that way, they may use that to leverage denying your claim or offering you far less than your case is worth.
Don’t assume the facts will speak for themselves. A San Antonio car accident attorney can build a case that makes the facts undeniable.
Can You Sue a Driver for Running a Red Light in Texas?
Yes. If you were injured because another driver failed to stop at a red light, you have the right to file a personal injury claim under Texas law. Whether that means negotiating with their insurer or filing a lawsuit in Bexar County District Court, the law entitles you to pursue compensation.
This compensation may include:
- Medical expenses (ER visits, surgeries, physical therapy)
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In severe cases, such as those involving intoxicated drivers or commercial vehicles, punitive damages may also be appropriate.
While most cases settle out of court, preparing your claim as if it will go to trial can lead to stronger settlements. Insurance companies in Texas know which firms are willing to fight and which ones aren’t.
Red Light Crashes With Commercial Vehicles in San Antonio Are More Complicated
Some of the most devastating crashes in San Antonio happen when a delivery truck or commercial vehicle runs a red light. In a city with major distribution routes, this isn’t unusual. You might be hit by an Amazon van speeding through a light on Austin Highway, or a FedEx truck running late at Blanco and 1604.
These accidents are harder to investigate and often involve more than one party. While the driver may be the one who caused the crash, their employer could also be liable. Companies that fail to properly train drivers, maintain their vehicles, or enforce safe delivery schedules may be held responsible under Texas law.
Cases like these almost always require deeper investigation into records, driver logs, maintenance reports, and black box data. If a commercial vehicle was involved in your San Antonio red light accident, you’ll want an attorney who’s handled these cases before and knows how to secure the necessary evidence before it disappears.
What If You Were a Passenger or Pedestrian?
You don’t have to be behind the wheel to suffer the consequences of a red light crash. Passengers in either vehicle have the same rights to pursue compensation. And pedestrians crossing legally at intersections like San Pedro and Ashby are often the most vulnerable.
As a pedestrian or passenger, you can still bring a claim against the at-fault driver. Your attorney may also look at other factors, such as city traffic control issues, defective signals, or multiple drivers who contributed to the crash. In San Antonio’s older neighborhoods, intersections with limited visibility or poor signage can add another layer of danger and liability.
What is the Deadline to File a Red Light Accident Claim?
Every state sets a deadline for how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. In Texas, that deadline is usually two years from the date of the crash. If you miss the deadline, you lose the right to seek compensation, even if the other driver was clearly at fault.
San Antonio courts follow this two-year rule strictly. If you wait, you may also lose access to valuable evidence, including video footage, eyewitnesses, or crash scene documentation. The sooner you get legal help, the better your chance to preserve what matters and strengthen your case.
Mistakes That Can Undermine Your Case
After a serious crash, it’s easy to make decisions that hurt your claim without even realizing it. Some of the most common mistakes we see in San Antonio red light accident cases include:
- Not seeking medical treatment right away
- Giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer
- Accepting a fast settlement without legal advice
- Posting about the crash on social media
- Waiting too long to contact a lawyer
These mistakes are fixable, but early missteps can make everything harder. A rushed settlement offer may seem tempting, especially when bills are piling up, but it often doesn’t reflect the full cost of your recovery. A personal injury attorney can review the offer and tell you whether it’s fair or whether it’s designed to save the insurance company money.
How to Protect Your Rights After a Red Light Crash
You don’t need to take on the system alone, but there are a few things you can do now to help protect your case.
Get medical treatment right away, even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt. Some injuries—especially head or internal injuries—don’t show symptoms right away. Keep all documentation related to your care.
If you’re able, write down what you remember about the crash: the location, the time of day, what the other driver said afterward. Save any photos, dashcam footage, or names of witnesses. Don’t post about the accident on social media, and avoid talking to the other driver’s insurer directly.
Most importantly, reach out to a law firm with experience handling red light accidents in San Antonio. Insurance companies respect preparation. They take claims seriously when they know the lawyer handling it is prepared to go all the way to trial, if necessary, to obtain full and fair compensation for all your injuries and losses.
Key Takeaways
- Red light crashes are common and dangerous on San Antonio’s busy roads and intersections.
- Fault is often clear, but proving it requires fast action and the right evidence.
- Crashes involving commercial vehicles like Amazon or UPS trucks are more complex.
- Texas law allows injury victims to seek full compensation for medical bills, income loss, pain, and more.
- You have two years to file a claim in Texas, but evidence can disappear much sooner.
- Working with a San Antonio-based personal injury lawyer gives your case the attention it deserves
- Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock helps injury victims in San Antonio recover after red light crashes
FAQs About San Antonio Red Light Collisions
Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company after the accident?
No. It’s safer to let your lawyer handle those conversations. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to say something that hurts your case or agree to a low settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
Is running a red light a criminal offense in Texas?
It can be. While most red light violations are civil traffic offenses, if the crash caused serious injuries or death, the driver could face criminal charges such as reckless driving or vehicular assault.
Will my case have to go to court?
Not necessarily. Many personal injury claims settle out of court. But it’s important to work with a law firm that’s prepared to take the case to trial if needed. That pressure alone can lead to stronger settlement offers.
How much does it cost to hire a San Antonio personal injury lawyer?
The San Antonio car accident lawyers with Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Our fees come as a portion of the settlement or verdict we obtain for you, not out of your pocket.
Can I still file a claim if the red light runner was never ticketed?
Yes. A traffic ticket can support your case, but it’s not required. Civil liability is separate from a police citation. Even if the other driver wasn’t ticketed, you can still pursue compensation based on evidence that shows they caused the crash.
What if the other driver fled the scene after running the red light?
Hit-and-run crashes are serious offenses in Texas. If the driver fled, you may still be able to recover damages through your uninsured motorist coverage or other sources. An attorney can help investigate and work with local authorities to track down the driver if possible.
Injured in a San Antonio Intersection Accident? Call Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock
Getting hit by a red light runner in San Antonio isn’t a traffic headache—it’s a health, financial, and legal crisis rolled into one. At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we focus on serious injury cases involving reckless and negligent drivers, including those who blow through red lights and seriously injure others.
Our team of trial-ready attorneys has recovered millions for injured Texans. When you work with a dedicated San Antonio personal injury lawyer, you get someone who knows San Antonio’s roads, understands Texas law, and knows how to handle insurance companies when they try to minimize your injuries or deny your legitimate claim.
You won’t pay a dime unless we recover money for you. Call us today at (210) 941-1306 or reach out through our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.