The Dangers of Running Stop Signs
We have all approached a stop sign where we witnessed another driver who didn’t seem to come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection. And in fact, drivers seem to get away with it unscathed at times while we all know that running stop signs is illegal and doing so can have criminal implications. However, there is another reason that stop signs should be respected – the fact that running one can have horrendous outcomes when a collision results.
How Dangerous Can Running Stop Signs Be?
According to the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles, running a stop sign led to over 1,200 accidents involving non-incapacitating injuries in 2017. There were also more than 350 accidents in which this same action led to incapacitating injuries and, most sadly of all, almost 60 in which a life was lost as a result of an accident in which someone ran a stop sign. And while there were no resulting injuries in almost 3,000 other accidents, that does not change the fact that running a stop sign is risky and dangerous behavior.
Why Are These Accidents so Dangerous?
- It isn’t just cars crossing intersections. Keep in mind that in addition to other motorists, we all share the road with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and even scooters and golf carts here in the South Florida area. Even if it seems like an intersection is clear and running a stop sign would be safe, it is unpredictable when someone else will cross your path.
- The angle at which one car hits another. When a collision occurs because someone ran a stop sign, this often leads to a t-bone collision in which the front end of a vehicle comes in contact with the side of another vehicle. And unfortunately, these collisions are among the most deadly because the side of a vehicle is particularly vulnerable and cannot absorb shock as well as the front of the vehicle.
While there are a variety of reasons a driver might run a stop sign and some are more understandable than others, these reasons are typically viewed as excuses when the result is a collision that leads to someone being injured. After all, being in a hurry or not paying attention to the road because of distracted driving is not a good trade for what could be another person’s life.
Obtain Legal Help After a Collision.
If you or someone you know have been injured because of someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, it is imperative that you obtain the help of someone that understands how insurance companies try to avoid paying for damages and how challenging it can be to obtain the amount of compensation your claim truly deserves. The last thing you need after being injured is trying to figure out how to pursue a claim on your own. Working with the right legal professional is one of the best ways you can hold careless drivers accountable for their actions and successfully obtain the compensation you deserve while giving you the opportunity to focus on your own injuries. As the Miami personal injury attorneys of the Pendas Law Firm, we offer everything from the knowledge you can depend on to the experience you can trust when pursuing a personal injury claim. Reach out to us today so we can begin discussing your legal options.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Ocala, Tampa, Bradenton, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers and Daytona Beach areas.
