How Traffic Light Malfunctions Can Affect Accident Liability
When a traffic light malfunctions and a crash follows, liability rarely rests on a simple green light versus red light analysis. Nebraska law requires every driver approaching a dark, flashing, or conflicting signal to treat the intersection as a multi-way stop, and fault typically falls on whichever driver failed to follow that rule, drove too fast for the conditions, or ignored clear signs that the signal was not working. In some cases, liability can extend beyond the drivers involved to the government entity, contractor, or equipment manufacturer responsible for maintaining or installing the signal….