Every state has laws that require motorists to come to a full and complete stop at a stop sign. These laws are universal, and stop signs are a commonly seen roadway sign that all motorists are familiar with and can easily identify. The failure of any driver to stop at a stop sign can lead to a serious accident resulting in severe injuries or fatalities.
If you suffered injuries or losses as a result of another driver running a stop sign, consider calling our team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to learn how a car accidents caused by running a stop sign lawyer can help you with your case.
Laws Regarding Stop Signs
The laws in the United States regarding stop signs are typically universal in nature. Every driver has a responsibility to stop at a stop sign, before the line where a pedestrian would walk. If a driver fails to fully and completely stop at a stop sign, a police officer may issue them a citation regarding their failure to do so.
Penalties can range from a hefty fine to additional court costs and assessments. Additionally, most states will then attach points against the driver’s license of the driver that failed to stop at the stop sign. There are some instances in which a judge may make the discretionary decision to allow a motorist to avoid these penalties by simply completing traffic school requirements. However, no matter the penalty, the act of failing to stop at a stop sign is a violation of the law.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident Caused by Running a Stop Sign
You may have already experienced a car accident resulting from a motorist failing to stop at a stop sign. These are the action steps you should take following your accident:
- Contact the Police: In most car accidents, the police will arrive at the scene of the accident and take a full accounting of the incident and then issue a citation against a driver if a motorist failed to stop at a stop sign. It is important to request a copy of this police report in order to show that the other driver is liable and responsible for compensating you for your injuries and losses resulting from their negligent actions. If you have not already done so, request a copy of the police report.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you believe your injuries remain minor, you should always seek medical attention. If you believed that your injuries were minor enough and did not warrant the need for immediate medical attention, you should take the time to visit with a medical professional now. This is not only for your health, but if you want to make a claim regarding compensation for your physical or emotional injuries or losses, you will need to have evidence from a qualified medical professional that demonstrates that you suffered injuries directly related to another motorist’s negligence and failure to stop at a stop sign.
- Exercise Caution When Calling Insurance Companies: If you make the decision to take a call from your insurance company or the negligent party’s insurance company, take caution in your conversations. Insurance companies often offer lower settlements amounts to victims. Always reject an insurance company’s request to record conversations. Additionally, an insurance company only has the legal right to request medical records relating to the injuries suffered from the accident (not a full medical file). Consider how a car accidents caused by running a stop sign lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Reasons for a Car Accident Caused by Running a Stop Sign
While there is absolutely no excuse for anyone to ever run a stop sign, there are often similar reasons why a motorist indicates that they made the decision to negligently drive through a stop sign.
Some of these reasons include:
- Inattention (distracted driving)
- Fatigue (drowsy driving)
- Impatience (failure to see other cars coming and making the decision to run the stop sign) Aggressive or reckless driving
- Speeding
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Regardless of the reason, if a driver makes the decision to run a stop sign, which results in an accident, they will remain liable for any resulting injuries or losses of the victims involved.
Understanding Negligence Per Se
If you suffered injuries as a result of a car accident involving a driver that failed to stop at a stop sign, your legal obligation as a victim is greatly reduced. There is a legal doctrine known as “negligence per se,” which means that the act itself is evidence of negligence.
Running a stop sign is one of these types of acts where a court will make the determination that the very act of failing to stop at a stop sign indicates negligence and is a clear violation of the law. Therefore, the sheer act of failing to stop at a stop sign attributes negligence directly to the other driver without additional necessity of proof.
Types of Compensation Related to Car Accidents Caused by Running a Stop Sign
If you suffered injuries or losses related to a car accident caused by another person running a stop sign, you might have the legal right to pursue the following types of compensation:
- Medical bills (including possible future medical bills if the injury remains life-long or permanent)
- Lost wages (including missed bonuses, pension contributions, vacation, and sick leave, etc.)
- Loss of future wages (if the car accident resulted in the inability of a victim to return to work)
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Learn How a Lawyer Can Help
If you suffered injuries or losses as a result of another driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign, you might have the legal right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, loss of future wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. To learn more, consider contacting Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233, and speak with a member of our team to understand how a car accidents caused by running a stop sign lawyer can help you ensure your legal rights remain protected.
