Disputed Green Light Collision

Two drivers collided at an intersection and both swore they had the green light. That single question decided everything. We took the case through discovery, reconstructed the collision, and proved our client was the one telling the truth. The disputed liability case resolved for $745,000.

The Result at a Glance

• Recovery: $745,000 resolution (firm reported)
• Case type: Intersection collision with disputed liability
• Injury: Knee injury requiring surgery
• Key issue: Which driver actually had the green light

When Both Drivers Claim the Green

An intersection crash where each driver claims the right of way is one of the hardest starting positions in an injury case. There is no presumption in your favor. The insurance company hears its driver’s version, denies the claim, and waits to see whether anyone will do the work to prove otherwise. Meanwhile the injured person is left with the medical bills and an accusation that the crash was their fault.

Discovery Made the Difference

We did not accept the liability dispute at face value. Through discovery we pursued the evidence needed to reconstruct the collision and test the other driver’s account against the physical facts. Piece by piece, that work established that our client had the green light and the right of way under California Vehicle Code §21451.

Proving liability changed the course of the case. What began as a swearing match became a documented claim, and the settlement conversation changed with it.

A Knee Injury That Required Surgery

The collision caused a significant knee injury that ultimately required surgery. We presented the injury, the treatment our client went through, and the effect the crash had on his life as part of the damages case. He was very pleased with the result.

Why Disputed Liability Cases Need Early Work

Intersection evidence disappears fast. Nearby cameras record over their footage, vehicles get repaired, skid marks fade, and witnesses become hard to find. The sooner an attorney starts preserving evidence, the more there is to work with when the other side insists on their version. California’s pure comparative negligence rule also means that even a partial fault finding only reduces a recovery by that percentage; it does not end the case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is at fault when both drivers claim they had a green light?

Fault goes to whoever the evidence contradicts. Signal timing data, vehicle damage patterns, camera footage, witness accounts, and accident reconstruction can establish which account matches the physical facts. In this case that work proved our client had the green light, and the matter resolved for $745,000.

How do you prove who had the green light?

Through discovery: subpoenaed camera footage, signal phase records, scene photographs, vehicle damage analysis, deposition testimony, and reconstruction experts where the physics are disputed. The goal is to test the opposing story against evidence that does not depend on memory.

Can I still recover if the insurance company blames me for the crash?

Yes. An insurer’s fault decision is an opinion, not a ruling. California follows pure comparative negligence, so recovery is reduced by your proven share of fault rather than barred. Many disputed liability cases, including this one, resolve substantially once the evidence is developed.

Talk to a Car Accident Trial Lawyer

Khashayar Law Group handles automobile accident cases throughout San Diego County, including a $4.9 million red-light collision settlement. If liability in your crash is disputed, read our guide on choosing a car accident lawyer in San Diego, then call (858) 509-1550 for a free consultation.

Case results disclosure: This is a firm-reported resolution. Case results depend on the facts and circumstances of each matter. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. This page is general information, not legal advice.