Top Houston Malfunctioning Traffic Light Accidents Attorney

Malfunctioning Traffic Lights are a Serious Safety Hazard

Our infrastructure system relies heavily on traffic lights. There are more than a million traffic signals across the country. According to Houston TranStar, the City of Houston operates 2,554 traffic lights (December 2024). Harris County is also responsible for 1,084 additional traffic lights. Further, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), operates nearly 1,000 traffic lights in the Houston metropolitan area. If there are any problems with any of these traffic signals, it can create a serious safety hazard. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), problems with traffic lights contribute to a significant number of car accidents each year. 

How a Malfunctioning Traffic Light Can Cause an Accident

Malfunctioning and otherwise defective traffic signals can contribute to serious collisions. Here are some of the leading reasons why problems with traffic lights can be so dangerous: 

• Pedestrian/Bicycle Accidents: Pedestrians and cyclists rely on traffic signals to indicate when it is safe to cross the street. A malfunctioning light can mislead pedestrians or cyclists into thinking it is safe to cross when it is not. 

• Confusion and Uncertainty: A malfunctioning traffic light—such as one that flickers or stays stuck on a single color—can create understandable, reasonable confusion among drivers. Uncertainty about the right of way may be the cause of a crash. 

• Cross Traffic Accidents: If a traffic light fails to signal correctly, drivers may enter an intersection believing they have the right of way. It can be especially dangerous at high-speed intersections where the time to react is minimal.

• Rear-end Collisions: When drivers expect a green light but find the signal stuck on red or not changing as anticipated, they might stop abruptly. If a defective traffic signal leads to an unusually abrupt stop, that could contribute to a rear-end collision. 

Who is Liable for a Collision Caused By a Malfunctioning Traffic Signal

Texas is a fault-based motor vehicle accident jurisdiction. Each party who is responsible for causing a crash can be held legally liable for their share of the blame. Here are some of the parties who can bear legal fault for a malfunctioning traffic signal accident in Houston: 

• Drivers: A broken or defective traffic light does not absolve a motorist from their duties. Even with a malfunctioning traffic signal, drivers are expected to exercise caution and follow basic traffic rules. If a driver acts recklessly or fails to adjust their driving to the conditions of the intersection, they can be held liable for a resulting crash. 
• Contractors: Contractors responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of traffic signals can be held liable if their negligence leads to a malfunction. If it is found that the traffic signal failed due to improper maintenance or faulty installation, the contractor could be legally responsible for an accident. 
• Government Agencies: Government agencies that oversee traffic control systems are responsible for ensuring that all traffic signals operate correctly. If an accident is caused by a malfunctioning traffic light and it can be shown that the agency knew or should have known about the malfunction and failed to correct it, the agency can be held liable.

Every accident caused by a malfunctioning traffic light should be thoroughly investigated by an experienced attorney. A Houston auto accident lawyer can review your crash and gather the evidence needed to prove fault and establish liability. 

We Help Injured Victims Secure the Maximum Financial Compensation

Hurt in a motor vehicle crash caused by a malfunctioning traffic signal? Under Texas law, you have the right to seek compensation for the full value of your damages, including any non-economic losses. Unfortunately, the defendants and insurance companies that defend these claims can be challenging to deal with after a bad crash. They want to pay out less. Our Houston auto accident lawyers help victims and families seek compensation for: 

• Property loss, including motor vehicle repairs; 
• Ambulance costs and emergency room care; 
• Hospital bills and other medical expenses; 
• Physical therapy and rehabilitative support; 
• Loss of wages and loss of earning power; 
• Pain and suffering & mental distress;
• Physical disability and/or scarring; 
• Reduced quality of life; and
• Wrongful death of a close family member. 

Why Rely On The Stano Law Firm for a Malfunctioning Traffic Light Accident

A malfunctioning traffic signal has the potential to be extremely dangerous. If you were involved in a crash caused by a defective traffic light, Houston car accident attorney Matthew C. Stano is prepared to help you explore every path to compensation. A former Texas prosecutor with a history of successful case results, Attorney Stano is prepared to go above and beyond. Among other things, our Houston auto accident lawyers are prepared to: 

• Listen to your story and answer questions about your legal case;
• Conduct a thorough investigation of the malfunctioning traffic light collision; 
• Represent you in settlement negotiations with insurance companies; and
• Take aggressive action to help you secure the maximum financial compensation. 

Contact Our Houston Malfunctioning Traffic Light Crash Lawyer Today

At The Stano Law Firm, our Houston car accident attorney handles all types of malfunctioning traffic light accident claims. If you or your family member was hurt in a serious collision caused by a defective traffic signal, we can help. Contact us now at (832) 777-0390 to arrange your free, no obligation case review. With an office in Houston, we handle traffic light malfunction crashes throughout Southeast Texas.