Accidents Involving Stop Sign Violations

Running a stop sign is a widespread behavior in South Florida. Many drivers seem to leave it to chance that there are no other people going through an intersection at the same time as them. Drivers who are hurrying or distracted may race through a stop sign and create dangers for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other motorists. If you have been injured in an accident involving a driver who disobeyed a stop sign, the Miami car accidents at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon can assist you in taking legal action. Our firm is dedicated to ensuring that people harmed by a reckless driver receive the compensation to which they are entitled. We represent victims throughout Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.

Accidents involving stop sign violations are among the most common kinds of collisions. These accidents may occur at either four-way stops or two-way stops, where driver error and errors in judgment are prevalent. Many times, an accident involving a stop sign violation is a rear-end collision, in which a car is hit from behind by another vehicle. Or it may be a side-impact crash, usually occurring when a vehicle has already made a turn, and another vehicle strikes its side. A driver who violates a stop sign can pose serious and even deadly risks to pedestrians and bicyclists. Making sure that these careless drivers are held accountable for their actions is important in preventing future harm.

A victim injured in an accident involving a driver’s stop sign violation usually can pursue legal action against the responsible party through a personal injury claim. The victim, referred to as the plaintiff, must show that the driver, or defendant, was negligent. All motorists owe other roadway users a duty of reasonable care to act as a prudent driver would act in a similar situation. Drivers who speed through a stop sign, fail to signal, or otherwise commit a traffic violation at an intersection usually would be viewed as unreasonable. If it is found that this behavior was a proximate cause of someone else’s injury, and that this resulted in damages, the driver may be held liable.

Once negligence is shown, a plaintiff may recover compensation for property damage, medical costs, loss of income and earning capacity, and pain and suffering, among other damages. Even if multiple parties are responsible for the injuries, including the victim, compensation may still be available. Since Florida is a pure comparative fault state, a victim may be able to recover damages in proportion to each party’s amount of fault. Pursuant to this theory, even if a plaintiff is 40 percent responsible for his or her own injury, 60 percent of the damages incurred may be recovered from other at-fault parties.

Stop signs are placed at intersections for a reason: to avoid the dangers known to be present at those locations. Violating a stop sign can lead to serious injuries to many people involved. The Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to aiding victims who have been harmed due to a motorist’s negligence. We also represent people in Miami and West Palm Beach, among other South Florida cities. If you have been injured in an accident involving a driver’s stop sign violation, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case with a motor vehicle collision attorney.