Moncks Corner Stop Sign Accident Lawyer
Collisions at stop signs are almost never “accidents.” People accidentally forget their keys. They do not accidentally ignore the road and ignore stop signs. Some drivers simply aren’t keeping a proper lookout and they overlook stop signs. Other drivers deliberately ignore stop signs, perhaps because they’ve driven the route so many times before, and no one has ever been in the intersection.
Stop signs serve a direct and indirect purpose. They increase safety at intersections and slow down traffic. When drivers ignore these purposes, the Moncks Corner stop sign accident lawyer at The Stanley Law Group obtains the compensation that crash victims need and deserve. This compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. Additional punitive damages may be available as well, in some extreme situations.
Moncks Corner Stop Sign Accident Lawyers and First Party Liability
Driver inattention and other such driver errors cause over 98 percent of the stop sign accidents in South Carolina. The underlying cause of that driver inattention or other driver error is usually:
- Aggressive Driving: Excessive speed is the most common kind of aggressive driving. As mentioned, many drivers simply ignore stop signs and other traffic control devices and keep moving at full speed. Excessive speed multiplies the risk of a wreck as well as the force in a collision. Other kinds of aggressive driving include turning unsafely, like turning right at a stop sign without looking, and tailgating.
- Operator Impairment: Substance abuse is the most common kind of driver impairment. Usually, it’s at least semi-legal to drink alcohol and use controlled substances, such as prescription pain pills. However, it’s always dangerous, and usually illegal, to drive under the influence of these substances. Other kinds of driver impairment include fatigue, distraction, and a moderate or serious medical condition.
Compensation is usually available if aggressive driving or operator impairment substantially caused the wreck. Speeding on a wet road is a good example. The wet road contributed to the wreck, but the driver’s excessive speed substantially caused it.
The victim’s case must be strong enough to withstand some common insurance company defenses, such as comparative fault. This doctrine shifts responsibility from the tortfeasor to the victim. For example, if the tortfeasor rolled through a stop sign and the victim was distracted, they might both be partially at fault for the wreck.
Third Party Liability
Tortfeasors are individually responsible for stop sign wrecks. Sometimes, a third party is financially responsible for damages.
The aforementioned alcohol-related crashes are a good example. If a commercial provider, like a bar, illegally serves alcohol to a person who later causes a wreck, that establishment is financially responsible for damages. Illegal sales in South Carolina include underage sales, unlicensed sales, and sales to intoxicated individuals.
Third party liability gives victims access to another source of recovery. However, third party liability also makes the case much more complex. Usually, an out-of-state conglomerate legally owned the bar or other vicariously liable business.
Connect With a Savvy Berkeley County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Moncks Corner stop sign accident lawyer, contact The Stanley Law Group. We do not charge upfront legal fees in these matters.
