Who is at fault for red light accident?

[martygrasser]

Jurisdiction

New York

It has been a snow and slush mess in New York. I live on Long Island and was stopped at a red light and entered an intersection right as soon as the light turned green. Another car slid into me whom I believe was going too fast and couldn't stop on the slush. We had a collision, body damage, police were called. The other driver claimed that he had the right of way of already being in the intersection. He wasn't. I may have quickly accelerated after the light turned green but the light was green and there was no one in my straight ahead vision when I accelerated. Who is at fault?

 

[adjusterjack]

Were there any witnesses, other than you and the other driver? With no unbiased witnesses, it's his word against yours and your word against his. The insurance companies are likely to call it 50/50.

You would be wise to adopt the practice of hesitating for a second before proceeding when the light turns green. And don't just look straight ahead, look side to side and make sure the way is clear.

Especially in crappy weather.

 

[mightymoose]

... and entered an intersection right as soon as the light turned green.

You COULD be found at fault. Green lights do not magically stop cross traffic. You are supposed to proceed when clear. You may have entered the intersection when it was not yet safe to do so.

 

[zddoodah]

Who is at fault?

How should we know? You say one thing; the other driver says something else. We have no way of knowing which of you is correct.