Key Notes
- Sweet James secured a $680,000 settlement for a car accident victim in Phoenix, Arizona, following a multi-vehicle intersection crash.
- A driver ran a red light at 43rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive on September 16, 2022, causing injuries including a broken collarbone and fractured ribs.
- Attorney David C. resolved the case, holding the at-fault driver accountable for entering the intersection against a red signal.
- Arizona law requires drivers to obey traffic signals, and running a red light establishes clear liability for resulting collisions.
- If you were injured in an intersection crash caused by another driver’s red-light violation, document the scene and consult an attorney promptly to protect your claim.
When a driver blows through a red light and causes a chain-reaction crash, innocent people pay the price. On September 16, 2022, at the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive in Phoenix, Arizona, a motorist ignored a red traffic signal and triggered a multi-vehicle collision that left our client with a broken collarbone and fractured ribs. Sweet James Accident Attorneys secured a $680,000 settlement on behalf of the injured driver, holding the at-fault party accountable for the harm caused.[1]
What Happened at the Phoenix Intersection That Day?
At around 2:30 in the afternoon, multiple vehicles were stopped at the intersection of 43rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive. Our client sat in southbound traffic on 43rd Avenue, waiting for the light to turn green. Another vehicle, Vehicle 2, was stopped facing northbound at the same light, and a fourth vehicle was also stopped in the southbound lane behind our client. When the signal turned green, all three vehicles began to move through the intersection as they had the right of way.
At the same moment, the defendant was traveling westbound on Union Hills Drive and failed to stop for a red traffic signal.[2] The defendant entered the intersection and struck Vehicle 2. The force of that initial impact caused the defendant’s vehicle to overturn. As it rolled, it struck Vehicle 4 and then collided with our client’s car. The crash left our client with serious injuries: a broken collarbone and fractured ribs that required medical treatment, time away from work, and a long recovery.[3]
The case was resolved by Sweet James attorney David C., who spent months gathering evidence, working with accident reconstruction resources, and negotiating with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier to achieve the $680,000 settlement.[4]
Why Does Running a Red Light Create Legal Liability in Arizona?
Arizona law is clear: drivers must obey traffic control signals.[5] When a motorist runs a red light and causes a collision, that violation establishes negligence, meaning the driver breached a duty of care owed to everyone else on the road. In intersection crashes like the one at 43rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive, red-light violations often produce multiple impacts because vehicles are moving from different directions at the same time.
In this Phoenix case, the defendant’s decision to enter the intersection against a red signal set off a cascade of collisions. Vehicle 2 was hit first, the defendant’s car overturned, and two other vehicles, including our client’s, were struck. Each impact was a direct result of the initial red-light violation. Arizona law allows injured parties to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses when another driver’s unlawful conduct causes harm.[6]
Steve Mehr, Founding Partner of Sweet James Accident Attorneys, said, “Intersection collisions caused by red-light runners are entirely preventable. When a driver ignores a traffic signal and injures others, we fight to hold that driver accountable and recover every dollar our client deserves. This settlement reflects the serious physical and financial toll our client faced because of someone else’s choice to run a red light.”
How Sweet James Built the Case for a $680,000 Settlement
Securing fair compensation in multi-vehicle intersection crashes requires meticulous investigation. Our attorneys gathered police reports, witness statements, traffic-signal records, and medical documentation to establish exactly what happened at 43rd Avenue and Union Hills Drive. We worked closely with medical providers to document the full extent of our client’s injuries: a broken collarbone and fractured ribs that required treatment and caused significant pain during recovery.
We then presented that evidence to the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier and negotiated tirelessly until the carrier agreed to a $680,000 settlement. Throughout the process, our client did not pay any fees or costs. Sweet James operates on a contingency basis: we cover all case expenses up front, and we only collect a fee if we win. That commitment allows injured people to pursue justice without financial risk, no matter how large the opposing insurance company may be.
Over the years Sweet James has recovered more than $1 billion for accident victims across California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia, with a team of over 400 legal professionals working every day to fight for clients who have been hurt through no fault of their own.[7]
What Should You Do If You Are Injured in an Intersection Crash in Phoenix?
If another driver runs a red light and causes a collision that leaves you injured, take these steps to protect your health and your legal claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Injuries like broken bones and rib fractures can worsen without prompt treatment. Your medical records will also become critical evidence in your case.
- Call the police and request a crash report. The report will document the scene, witness accounts, and any traffic violations.
- Take photographs. Capture vehicle damage, the intersection layout, traffic signals, skid marks, and any visible injuries.
- Collect witness information. Passengers and bystanders can provide independent accounts of how the crash occurred.
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company. Insurers often use early statements to minimize your claim or shift blame.
- Consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer. Early offers from insurance carriers are often far below what your claim is truly worth, especially when serious injuries are involved.
Time matters. Arizona law imposes deadlines for filing injury claims, and evidence can disappear quickly. An experienced attorney can start building your case right away, preserving proof and protecting your rights while you focus on recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an intersection crash caused by a driver who ran a red light, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Sweet James Accident Attorneys has the experience, resources, and commitment to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 900-0000 or visit sweetjames.com for a free consultation. Past results are not a guarantee of future outcomes, but we will work tirelessly to pursue the best possible result in your case.
About the Author
This article was prepared by the legal team at Sweet James Accident Attorneys, a personal injury law firm representing accident victims in California, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Georgia. For more information or a free case evaluation, call (800) 900-0000 or visit sweetjames.com.
Sources
[1] Sweet James case records, 2026.
[2] Sweet James case records, 2026.
[3] Sweet James case records, 2026.
[4] Sweet James case records, 2026.
[5] Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-645, https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=28
[6] Arizona Revised Statutes Title 12, Chapter 5 (Civil Actions and Remedies), https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=12
[7] Sweet James firm records, 2026.
[8] Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542, https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=12
