According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), 672 crashes on Aurora’s roads involved drivers running a stop sign. If you or a loved one find yourself involved in an accident at an intersection involving stop signs, an Aurora running a stop sign accident lawyer can help you determine the best place to start.
Whether the other driver ran a stop sign accidentally or on purpose, you have the right to take legal action against them. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 for a free case evaluation with a team member.
Stop Sign Laws in Illinois
When you take a driving test in Illinois, you have to distinguish a stop sign from other road signs and make it clear that you understand what it means and how to interact with other drivers at intersections that use stop signs. 625 ILCS 5/11-904(b) makes this lesson clearer, noting that all drivers who approach a stop sign intersection must:
- Stop at a marked stop line.
- Stop before entering the crosswalk.
- Stop before entering the intersection.
In turn, drivers must yield to other vehicles that arrived at the intersection before they did. The failure to abide by this statute can result in an accident.
Causes of Stop Sign Accidents
Bright-red stop signs positioned at eye level are difficult for most drivers to miss. However, certain conditions could increase a person’s chances of getting into a stop sign accident at an intersection.
Distracted Driving
The term “distracted driving” has become increasingly synonymous with “driving while using a cell phone.” Cell phone use behind the wheel can contribute to car accidents, and 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2 bans the use of any “electronic communication device,” including cell phones, while operating a motor vehicle.
However, a driver can face other distractions while behind the wheel. Other common distractions include:
- Eating and drinking.
- Playing music or listening to audiobooks.
- Engaging with children, friends, or other passengers.
Of course, you cannot kick your friends or children out of the car to avoid distractions while on the road. You can, however, keep a wary eye out for other distracted drivers. You can also make a point of looking for new or obstructed stop signs.
Problems Understanding Right-of-Way
It is also possible for two or more drivers to make a mistake when assuming right-of-way at a stop sign. Most often, right-of-way goes to the person on the right or who arrived at the intersection first. However, if two or more drivers have a nonverbal argument about who arrived at the scene first, they might choose to forge ahead, causing an accident.
Determining fault in these types of accidents can become challenging. An Aurora running a stop sign accident lawyer can help you if an insurance company denies your claim and determines your legal rights and how best to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to get started.
Deliberate Recklessness
When a driver runs a stop sign, there is always the chance that they did so on purpose. Should this be the case in your accident, and they admit to doing so—or should the evidence you gather at the accident scene indicate they deliberately ran the stop sign—the police might charge them with reckless driving. These parties intentionally abandoned their duty of care to other drivers on the road; in turn, you can hold them liable for any losses you suffered.
Other Common Causes
Most auto accidents occur seemingly without reason. Should you find yourself in an accident while at an intersection that uses stop signs, you can work with an Aurora running a stop sign accident lawyer to determine if any of the following causes contributed to your losses:
- Obstruction of a sign
- Newly installed signage
- Weather conditions
- Driver error
- Mechanical error
Should you wish to pursue a complaint after a stop sign accident, you could opt to work with a third-party investigator to gather evidence of any of the above causes. They can also help you determine liability in your case.
For a free legal consultation with a Running a Stop Sign Accidents Lawyer serving Aurora, call (800) 794-0444
Taking Legal Action After a Stop Sign Accident
If you file an insurance claim and wish to pursue additional compensation for your losses, you have the legal right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. The same holds if the insurance company denies your claim. An Aurora running a stop sign accident lawyer with Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you determine what path might help you recover an award after such an accident.
Demand Letters
Demand letters are legal documents that let you seek compensation from a liable party without going to court. In these documents, you can outline what evidence you have establishing another party’s liability for your losses, including insurance claims that designate fault. You can also specify your losses and the compensation you need to make you whole again.
Upon completing a demand letter, you can deliver it to the party you hold liable for your losses. So long as that party will discuss a settlement, you can begin negotiations for compensation.
Legal Complaints
If you would rather have a judge and jury decide your case, you can include the same information you would put into a demand letter in a legal complaint. A complaint is the first step in the process of filing a lawsuit. You would submit your complaint within the two-year statute of limitations set by 735 ILCS 5/13-202, allowing a court to weigh the evidence and consider your losses. The court would then decide whether to award you compensation for medical bills, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Aurora Running a Stop Sign Accidents Lawyer Near Me (800) 794-0444
An Aurora Running a Stop Sign Accident Lawyer Can Fight for Compensation on Your Behalf
Accidents involving running stop signs can cause significant personal and property damage. An Aurora running a stop sign accident lawyer from Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can make your recovery simpler by taking the reins on your pursuit for compensation from the at-fault drive. Their work allows you to focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. For a free case evaluation with a team member, call us today at (800) 223-5115.
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