A stop sign car accident occurs when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign resulting in an accident and injury. Legal terminology may describe the “car accident stop sign” category as when a driver fails to adhere to stop sign regulations, leading to collisions that can result in significant injuries or fatalities. When someone runs a stop sign and hits you by neglecting to stop completely, failing to yield the right of way, or misinterpreting intersection rules are common causes of accidents.
Common Injuries Sustained in Stop Sign Collisions
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in 2022, there were 7,832 fatalities at unsignalized intersections, which include stop sign controlled intersections. While not all collisions at these intersections are car accident stop sign fatalities, common injuries include:
Whiplash and Neck Injuries: Rear-end collisions at stop signs frequently cause whiplash, where the neck is jolted suddenly back and forth, leading to soft tissue damage.
Head and Brain Injuries: T-bone collisions, common when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign, can lead to severe head trauma, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, due to the lack of a protective buffer on the side of the vehicle.
Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact from side or rear collisions can cause spinal cord damage, potentially resulting in paralysis or other long-term disabilities.
Broken Bones, Lacerations, and Bruising: The force of impact in these accidents can lead to fractures in various parts of the body, such as arms, legs, and ribs. Broken glass and debris when someone runs a stop sign and hits another car can cause cuts and bruises leading to blood loss or infections.
What to Do After a Stop Sign Accident
Both minor and major collisions should follow the same checklist to guarantee you have the best possible case when someone runs a stop sign and hits you. We recommend keeping a printed checklist of what to do after a car accident in your glove box.
- Call for emergency medical assistance, if needed
- Notify the police immediately and file a report
- Collect information from the other driver and witnesses
- Document injuries the same day and up to a few weeks later
- Take photographs and videos of the scene, injuries, and vehicles
- Do not accept responsibility when someone else failed to stop at a stop sign
- Do not leave the scene
Factors Contributing to Stop Sign Accidents
Stop sign accidents are often caused by driver behavior, environmental factors, and traffic conditions. Common causes include:
Failure to Stop or yield
Drivers are legally required to come to a complete halt at stop signs and yield to other vehicles or pedestrians with the right of way. Rolling stops are considered violations and can lead to accidents.
Distracted or Impaired Driving
Distractions, fatigue, or impairment due to substances can cause drivers to miss stop signs or react inappropriately.
Speeding or Aggressive Driving
Drivers in a rush or engaging in reckless behavior may deliberately ignore stop signs or right-of-way rules.
Poor Visibility
Physical obstructions like overgrown vegetation, parked vehicles, or poor road design can hide stop signs or approaching traffic. Similarly, rain, snow, fog, or ice can reduce visibility and road traction.
Legal Implications of Stop Sign Car Accidents
In Pennsylvania, drivers are legally required to come to a complete stop at stop signs and yield to pedestrians and cross-traffic before proceeding. However, proving fault in a traffic violation isn’t always straightforward which is where the experienced personal injury legal team at Carpey Law can help you.
You are under no obligation to call your insurance company at the scene of the car accident stop sign. They generally require you to contact them after the accident as soon as possible but keep in mind that they have their best interest in mind, not yours. Until you talk with your attorney, don’t take their calls, accept a payout, or sign anything.
If you’ve been involved in an accident where another driver failed to stop at a stop sign, make your first call to Carpey Law at 610-834-6030 to discuss your accident with a car accident injury attorney who knows what to do when someone runs a stop sign and hits you.
Stuart A. Carpey, who has been practicing as an attorney since 1987, focuses his practice on complex civil litigation which includes representing injured individuals in a vast array of personal injury cases.