Summerville Stop Sign Accident Lawyer
Most drivers in Summerville know that they are supposed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, and to give themselves several seconds to look for oncoming vehicles or pedestrians before moving into the intersection. However, knowing what is safe at a stop sign and following the rules are two separate things, and drivers routinely violate stop sign laws and safety rules. When a driver does not behave in a reasonably safe manner at a stop sign, a stop sign accident can occur, and occupants of another vehicle or nearby pedestrians or cyclists can sustain severe injuries. If you were hurt in a stop sign accident in South Carolina, it is essential to seek legal advice. Contact our experienced Summerville stop sign accident lawyer today to find out more about filing a claim and seeking compensation.
What is a Summerville Stop Sign Accident
A stop sign accident is one specific type of intersection accident, according to the US Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). As the FHWA explains, “intersecting roadways are necessary to connect people driving, walking, and bicycling from one route to another,” but these roads can be particularly hazardous where they cross with one another. Stop signs and red lights are the most common traffic signs and devices used to ensure intersection safety, but when motorists do not follow the rules associated with stop signs and red lights — by failing to stop, for example — crashes often occur.
The FHWA reports that about 50 percent of traffic injuries occur at intersections — including in stop sign accidents — and approximately 25 percent of all traffic fatalities occur at intersections. A stop sign accident is a term that can be used to describe any intersection collision that results from a motorist failing to stop at a stop sign, stopping for too little time at a stop sign, failing to look before moving forward through the intersection, or failing to yield right of way to a motorist who was already stopped at another stop sign in the intersection.
Types of Accidents at Stop Signs in Summerville
What types of collisions tend to occur at stop signs in the Summerville area? A stop sign accident can result in many different kinds of crashes, although data from the Journal of Safety Research suggests that the following tend to be the most common:
- Side-impact, or T-bone collisions that occur when one car runs a stop sign and hits another at a perpendicular angle;
- Rear-end collisions, which often occur when a motorist does not realize they are approaching a stop sign and fails to stop in time;
- Side-swipe collisions, which may occur when a vehicle strikes another while turning at a stop sign; and
- Pedestrian or bicyclist collisions, which can happen when a motorist at a stop sign does not see or does not stop in time to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or bicyclist in the intersection.
In some cases, inclement weather can increase the risk of a stop sign collision since it can limit visibility and can make the area slick around a stop sign.
Contact The Stanley Law Group Today
If you were injured in a stop sign accident or another type of intersection collision, you should discuss your case with an attorney. You could be eligible to seek compensation by filing an auto insurance claim or by filing a car accident lawsuit within three years from the date of your injury. To find out more about your options, contact our experienced Summerville car accident lawyer today.
