Many drivers have experienced or nearly experienced a car accident where the motorist ahead of them didn’t have working brake lights. Malfunctioning, broken, missing or burned out brake lights, also known as stop lamps, can cause a serious hazard on the road.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), rear end car crashes account for nearly 39,000 collisions in the state each year. This number represents nearly 46 percent of all car accidents that happen in Arizona annually, making rear end collisions a serious issue. Rear end collision deaths account for nearly 15 percent of all accident fatalities and for nearly 44 percent of all accident-related injuries. Many crashes are caused by drivers not paying attention to the cars in front of them or by the absence of brake lights.
Stop Lamps and Arizona Law
Arizona lawmakers take driving safety seriously and have put laws into place requiring drivers to have working brake lights on their vehicles. According to ARS 28-927, drivers are not allowed to operate a motor vehicle without appropriate brake lights and those brake lights must meet state requirements defined under ARS 28-939. ARS 28-939 requires every vehicle in Arizona to have at least one brake light that glows either yellow or red and is easily visible from at least 100 feet away on clear days and on clear nights. The law requires that lights be properly maintained and in working condition at all times and prohibits drivers from using bulbs that emit blinding or distracting amounts of light.
When You’re Hurt in a Car Accident
After you’re injured in a car accident you should reach out to a doctor, get some rest and contact an experienced personal injury attorney. The Husband and Wife Law Team at the Breyer Law Offices, P.C. understand the law and how it affects car crash lawsuits. We will do whatever necessary to assist you in obtaining a settlement that will fairly cover the expenses related to the collision, such as medical care, repairs to your property, personal trauma and even the replacement of your lost wages.