Patrol Vehicle Hit After Driver Runs Red Light at Bandera Road and Loop 1604

Two San Antonio police officers were hospitalized after a driver allegedly ran a red light and crashed into their patrol vehicle on the city’s Northwest Side, according to a report from News4SanAntonio.¹

Police say the crash occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, at the intersection of Bandera Road and Loop 1604. Officers were traveling through the intersection with a green light when a woman failed to stop at a red light and T-boned the patrol vehicle.

The force of the collision pushed the patrol vehicle off the roadway and into a utility pole. Both officers were injured—one suffered neck and back injuries, while the other sustained a head injury. Police reported that both officers were alert and talking at the scene and are expected to make a full recovery.

The other driver was not injured, and no criminal charges were filed.

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Did You Know?

In 2024, more than 20,000 crashes across Texas were caused by drivers disregarding stop and go signals, according to data from the Texas Department of Transportation.²

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Running a Red Light: How It Impacts a Car Accident Claim

Running a red light is one of the most dangerous traffic violations. Intersections are already high-risk areas, and when a driver ignores a traffic signal, the likelihood of a serious crash increases dramatically. These collisions often happen at full speed, leaving little time for other drivers to react.

Many red-light crashes result in side-impact, or T-bone, collisions, which are particularly dangerous because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear.

Common injuries in red-light crashes include:

• Head and traumatic brain injuries

• Neck and back injuries

• Broken bones

• Internal organ injuries

When a vehicle is pushed into a fixed object—such as a utility pole—the risk of severe injury increases even further.

Is Running a Red Light Considered Negligence in Texas?

Texas law requires drivers to obey traffic control signals. Failing to stop at a red light is generally considered negligent behavior because it creates a foreseeable risk of harm to others.

Even if a driver is not cited or criminally charged at the scene, they may still be held financially responsible in a civil personal injury claim. Criminal charges and traffic citations are separate from civil liability.

In an injury case, the central issue is whether the driver failed to act with reasonable care under the circumstances.

How Fault Is Determined in Red-Light Crashes

Fault in a red-light accident is not always automatic or one-sided. While entering an intersection against a red light is strong evidence of negligence, one negligent act does not cancel out another.

Texas follows a comparative negligence system, which means more than one party can share responsibility for a crash. Investigators and insurers look at the full picture of how the collision occurred—not just who had the red light.

Evidence used to determine fault may include:

• Police crash reports

• Traffic signal timing and sequencing data

• Witness statements

• Dashcam or surveillance footage

• Vehicle damage patterns and physical evidence from the scene

Even if a driver runs a red light, other factors may still matter, such as whether another driver was speeding, distracted, impaired, or failed to take reasonable action to avoid the collision. In some cases, multiple negligent actions combine to cause a crash.

In civil injury claims, fault is often shared in percentages, and compensation may be adjusted based on each party’s level of responsibility. Understanding how fault is evaluated is critical to protecting your rights after a serious accident.

Injuries to Passengers and First Responders

Passengers and first responders injured in red-light crashes often have strong injury claims because they had no control over the situation. Officers, emergency personnel, and passengers may be hurt while simply performing their jobs or traveling lawfully.

Depending on the facts, these cases may involve:

• The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage

• Employer-provided benefits or workers’ compensation

• Additional third-party liability

Each case depends on how the crash occurred and who was responsible.

What to Do After a Red-Light Accident

If you are injured in a crash caused by a driver running a red light, taking prompt action can help protect your health and your legal rights.

Important steps include:

• Seeking medical care immediately

• Following all treatment recommendations

• Obtaining a copy of the crash report

• Photographing injuries and vehicle damage

• Avoiding recorded statements to insurance companies before getting legal advice

Some injuries—especially head, neck, and back injuries—may not be immediately apparent.

Injured in a Red-Light Accident? Call Shaw.

If you were injured because another driver ran a red light, you could be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical bills and ongoing treatment,

• Pain and suffering,

• Property Damage,

• Lost wages or future medical care,

• And More.

We’ll help you find out for free.

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to learn more about your legal options. No fees. No obligations. Just trusted guidance from an experienced San Antonio car accident lawyer.

We look forward to serving you.

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¹News4SanAntonio report

²TxDOT Crash Contributing Factors (2024)