Accidents can happen anywhere on the roads, but you might be surprised to learn that stop signs and intersections are some of the deadliest locations for collisions. If you suffered debilitating or life-threatening injuries in a stop sign accident, you have the right to compensation when another party is liable.
With help from a respected stop sign accident lawyer at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., you can get the most out of your claim. Contact our office for a 100% free consultation when you call us at (312) 236-2900 and learn more about who could be sued for your damages and the value of your stop sign accident lawsuit.
What Laws Cover Intersections?
There are many laws that dictate how drivers and pedestrians should interact at intersections. These rules explain which drivers have the right of way, when drivers can go through the intersection, and how traffic should function.
Red Light Law
Under Illinois law, all motorists are required to make a complete stop at solid red lights. Drivers are obligated to stop at or before the marked line. If there is no marked line, they must stop before the crosswalk begins or before the intersection if there is no crosswalk.
Yield Sign Law
Under the Illinois vehicle code, drivers must yield to the right of way at intersections. When drivers approach yield signs, they must slow down and wait to merge before continuing to travel in the lane.
Stop Sign Law
Any driver that approaches a stop sign must come to a complete stop before continuing to travel in the lane. At four-way stops, the first driver to arrive should be the first to travel through the intersection. If two drivers arrive simultaneously on two roadways, the driver to the left will yield to the other driver.
What Kind of Crashes Happen at Stop Signs?
Car accidents at intersections can take several forms. When a driver fails to stop at a stop sign, they have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries and damages. Some of the most common types of stop sign accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions – When a motorist suddenly slams on their brakes before coming to a stop sign, the driver behind them may not have sufficient time to stop. The following car may hit them from behind. Drivers can slam into the rear of another vehicle if they don’t see the stop sign at an intersection.
- Side impact accidents – Also known as T-bone accidents, if a driver fails to stop at a stop sign, traffic may be coming at them from the left or right. Another driver could hit their vehicle from the side.
- Head-on Collisions – Whenever traffic is heading in opposite directions, there’s a chance for collisions. If one driver misses a stop sign as another driver assumes they have right away, it’s likely the at-fault driver will hit the car making a turn.
What Injuries Can Stop Sign Crashes Cause?
Stop sign crashes have the potential to cause life-threatening and catastrophic injuries. Depending on the type of injury you sustained, you may require surgical intervention, prescription medications, or other treatments. Some examples of the most common injury seen in stop sign accidents include:
- Cuts or scrapes
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Rib injuries
- Amputation
- Road rash from vehicle ejections
- Internal injuries and organ failure
- Spinal cord and back injuries
What Compensation is Available after a Stop Sign Accident?
After a failure to yield or stop sign accident, you have the right to compensation for every loss caused by the at-fault party. To ensure fair restitution, your lawyer will categorize your damages as economic or non-economic.
Economic damages include all monetary damages. Non-economic damages describe the ways your life has been affected by your injuries, excluding financial losses.
Examples of economic losses could include:
Examples of non-economic damages could include:
- Emotional distress, chronic pain, and mental anguish
- Depression, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of intimacy, support, guidance, companionship, and protection
- Anticipation, fear, indignity, apprehension, shock, and embarrassment
- Damage to your personal or professional reputations
Illinois uses fault-based insurance laws, so in most stop sign accident claims, you can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider. Your compensation through the insurance company will depend on the coverage purchased by the policyholder.
If these limitations prevent you from recovering maximum compensation, you should be prepared to bring your case to trial. Insurers are reluctant to make payouts for their clients’ accidents. They’re profit-driven companies, so they want to reduce the amount they payout. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you can pursue a lawsuit to receive the most money available for your damages.
How Do You Secure Compensation?
If you hope to maximize the compensation you recover, your stop sign accident attorney must use valuable evidence to support your claim and liability. The burden of proof in civil claims is based on a preponderance of the evidence. If the evidence does not convince the jury that the defendant is more than likely responsible for your injuries, your claim may suffer.
Useful evidence that will be most helpful in successfully recovering total reimbursement of your losses might include:
- Videos and photos showing visual evidence of your injuries, damage at the accident scene, and vehicle damages
- An official copy of the police report, which will include any citations issue, specific details about the stop sign accident, police statements, and an establishment of liability
- Copies of your medical records that clearly document your healthcare costs and the extent to which your life has been and is expected to be affected by your injuries
- Analysis from medical professionals and accident reconstructionists
- Testimony from eyewitnesses and bystanders
- Communications exchanges with a liable party or insurance company
- A personal journal that details your pain and suffering, the way is your daily life has been affected by your injuries, and your emotional distress
- Copies of your bank statements and other financial records to prove your out-of-pocket and accident-related expenses
What Should I Do After a Stop Sign Accident?
The steps you take after a stop sign accident could influence your ability to recover compensation for your damages, whether you are filing a claim with the insurance company or bringing your case to court. Some of the most important things to do immediately after your accident include:
- Contact law enforcement to report the accident
- Call emergency responders and get medical help for your injuries
- Collect evidence at the scene, including photos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and the accident scene
- Hire a personal injury attorney to guide you through the legal claims process
- Identify the at-fault party and determine whether you can file a claim with the insurance company
- File your insurance claim and negotiate with insurance adjusters
- If your insurance settlement is not sufficient, prepare to bring your stop sign accident case to court
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me?
Having a personal injury lawyer battle for your rights after a stop sign accident is essential. Although you are under no legal obligation to have an attorney, an experienced attorney fighting for your rights can only help your case. Some of the benefits you get when you hire a personal injury attorney at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. include:
- We’ll investigate the cause of your accident and gathering evidence to prove liability for your damages
- We’ll produce an in-depth analysis of your case and guidance as to how to proceed with your insurance and civil claims
- We’ll establish liability for the accident and your resulting injuries
- We’ll help negotiate with the insurance company and protect your from money-hungry insurers
- We’ll ensure you seek maximum compensation for your losses by carefully assessing the value of your economic and non-economic damages. We’ll consider the potential future implications of your injuries
- We can advocate for your rights in court if you cannot obtain a fair settlement through your insurance claim
- We’ll update you with case developments as your claim moves through insurance negotiations, discovery, and a formal trial
The accident claims process can be stressful and overwhelming. With the right Chicago car accident lawyer, you can get the peace of mind you deserve as you heal from your injuries. Our team is prepared to handle the complexities of your case and recover the compensation you are entitled to so you can get through these difficult times and start to rebuild your life.
Call an Illinois Stop Sign Accident Lawyer Now
Your stop sign accident injuries may have a significant impact on your life. There is no reason you should be stuck covering the costs if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.
Explore your opportunities for financial relief further when you reach out to an experienced Illinois stop sign accident attorney at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Our firm offers complimentary case reviews to stop sign accident victims across Illinois. Call our office at (312) 236-2900 or fill out our convenient contact form.
