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Chris Stapley Secures $3.5 Million El Mirage Red-Light Crash Settlement

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Phillips Law Group attorney Chris Stapley secured a $3,500,000 settlement for a client from El Mirage after a reported red-light crash near Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road. The auto case involved a left turn on a green arrow and emergency medical care afterward.

A $3.5 million resolution for an El Mirage driver

This settlement concerns an Arizona auto collision and an El Mirage client. Attorney Chris Stapley handled the matter. The $3.5 million result reflects the particular facts and circumstances of this case; it is not a prediction of what another claim may resolve for.

Reported case information states that the client was traveling northwest near Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road. While making a left turn on a green arrow, another vehicle traveling straight allegedly entered against a red light and struck the client’s vehicle. The impact reportedly totaled the vehicle. The other driver reportedly said that he had dozed off, and El Mirage Police responded to the collision.

After the crash, the client received emergency care and diagnostic imaging. Medical records from the first evaluation and later treatment can help document how symptoms developed after a collision.

The reported location is a signal-controlled intersection. In a collision like this one, the sequence of signals, travel paths, and timing can be important to understanding what occurred. Available records and evidence may clarify those details, but they should not be assumed from the amount of a settlement alone.

Traffic signals at an Arizona intersection illustrating the reported red-light crash near Grand Avenue and Thunderbird Road.
Illustrative intersection visual; not a photograph of the reported crash.

Why the signals matter in a reported red-light collision

Traffic signals are central to the account of this crash. Arizona Revised Statutes § 28-645 requires drivers facing a steady red signal to stop before entering an intersection and remain stopped until an indication to proceed appears, subject to listed exceptions. The statute also allows a driver facing a green arrow to cautiously enter for the movement the arrow indicates, while yielding to pedestrians and other traffic lawfully using the intersection.

Those rules do not decide every claim by themselves. Crash accounts, the responding agency’s documentation, physical evidence, witness information, and the details of the intersection can all matter. For a general discussion of how responsibility may be evaluated after a signal-controlled collision, see our explanation of fault after a red-light crash.

A traffic signal may establish which movement was permitted, while other information may help show the position and direction of the vehicles. Photographs from the scene, vehicle damage, witness observations, and the responding officer’s report can provide context. The significance of any one item depends on the circumstances of the individual case.

Arizona’s signal rules also emphasize caution. A green arrow authorizes only the indicated movement and does not eliminate the duty to yield to pedestrians and traffic lawfully using the intersection. Likewise, the requirement to stop for a steady red light is intended to help protect people moving through intersecting paths.

Injured in a collision involving a traffic signal?

A timely case review can help you understand the information that may matter after an Arizona crash.

Call (602) 222-2222 for a free case review

The safety issue raised by drowsy driving

The reported statement that the other driver had dozed off is a serious safety concern. ADOT’s drowsy-driving safety reminder reports that 1,595 drivers involved in crashes on Arizona roads in 2024 had either fallen asleep or were fatigued, based on law-enforcement crash reports compiled by ADOT. Of those drivers, 10 were involved in fatal crashes.

ADOT urges drivers to get adequate rest before driving, avoid alcohol before getting behind the wheel, and avoid driving during peak sleepiness hours when possible. These are safety measures, not a substitute for investigating the circumstances of any individual collision. A report of fatigue or falling asleep may be important evidence, but each claim depends on its own record.

Drivers who feel drowsy should take that warning seriously before continuing a trip. Yawning, grogginess, and sluggishness can affect attention and motor skills. On roads with intersections and changing signals, staying alert supports the ability to recognize a signal, observe surrounding traffic, and respond safely.

When a crash happens at an intersection, preserving available information can be important. That can include the police report, photographs, vehicle damage documentation, medical records, and the names of witnesses. People should also seek appropriate medical attention after a collision and follow the guidance of their health-care providers.

View from inside a vehicle on an Arizona highway at dusk, illustrating the importance of staying alert while driving.
Illustrative Arizona drowsy-driving safety visual; not a photograph of the reported crash.

What an Arizona car accident lawyer can review

Serious collisions can leave people managing medical appointments, vehicle damage, work disruptions, and calls from insurance companies at the same time. A lawyer can review the reported facts, available records, and potential next steps. Phillips Law Group represents people hurt in motor-vehicle collisions throughout Arizona, including clients from the West Valley.

In a consultation, an attorney can listen to the collision account, review documents that are available, and discuss questions raised by the situation. The discussion is specific to the person seeking help. It is not a substitute for the evidence review necessary to evaluate a case, and it does not turn a published settlement into a formula for another person’s recovery.

If you or a family member was hurt in a crash, speak with an Arizona car accident lawyer about your situation. A consultation is an opportunity to ask questions about the specific facts, without assuming another person’s settlement establishes the value of your own claim.

A case result does not set the value of another claim

The reported outcome in this matter was a $3,500,000 settlement. Settlement values can vary based on the facts, available evidence, injuries and losses, and other circumstances particular to a claim. The information here is provided as a case result, not legal advice.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Talk through the facts of your Arizona collision

Phillips Law Group can review your case and explain your options.

Reach Phillips Law Group at (602) 222-2222


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