A personal injury can change your life, and when insurance companies don’t pay out for your injuries, it’s devastating. Especially, if your injury was caused in a stop sign accident where another motorist was at fault. The Florida Highway Safety Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) says over 28% of fatal accidents occur at intersections in Florida.
Right Of Way And Stop Sign Accidents In Florida
America is one of a few countries who implements the four way stop. Sometimes known as an all-way stop, this type of intersection is present to direct the flow of traffic in the Americas, South Africa, Liberia and Australia.
In the U.S., right of way at a four-way stop works in such a way that all parties who approach a stop sign are required to reach a complete stop, and the first one to approach the stop has the right of way. Each motorist passes through the intersection in the order they arrived. If two cars arrive at the same time, the one to the right of the intersection will be allowed to proceed first. What makes Florida even more dangerous is the increase of people moving to the sunny state causing more drivers on the road.
Whether or not a crosswalk appears at the intersection, all motor vehicle drivers are supposed to yield right of way to pedestrians and bicyclists who attempt to cross. If a crosswalk is present, cars must come to a complete stop behind the crosswalk, or otherwise the line indicating the intersection.
Sometimes traffic lights and traffic signals outside of the typical red, green and yellow lights most people are familiar with, exist to tell motorists an intersection is upcoming. A flashing yellow light on top of a stop-sign ahead sign can help prevent accidents at stop-sign intersections.
If you’ve been in a car crash at a stop sign you should first file a police report and then go to the doctor for an examination, and make a claim to your insurance company for your medical bills.
Auto Accidents And Serious Injuries
If you have serious injuries because a fault driver ran a stop sign at an intersection, and your insurance company failed to pay some or all of your claim leaving you with medical expenses, you need a personal injury lawyer. An attorney on your side can help you get your personal injury claim paid.
When you’ve been in a serious accident you need to work fast. But if you’ve sustained serious injuries, that can be a challenge. Here are some accident types that are the common causes of serious injuries at stop sign intersections.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear end collisions occur at stop signs when a motorist, who might otherwise run a stop sign, slams on their break without adequate time to stop. This is exacerbated by cell phone use. When drivers aren’t paying attention at intersections it can result in property damage and personal injury.
T-Bone And Side-Impact
Commonly, when a driver runs a stop sign, oncoming traffic is coming from the fault driver’s left or right. In these instances, impact may occur on the passenger or driver side of a vehicle. When the front of one motorist’s automobile hits the side of another, that’s commonly called a t-bone accident.
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Traffic Laws in Florida
A stop sign violation, like running a stop sign, is in clear violation of federally coded laws in all 50 states.
In fact, this one of the ways the United States is different from other countries when it comes to traffic laws is that we have more four-way stop intersections, whereas other countries are more likely to utilize more two-way stops and roundabouts at unsignalized intersections. Still, the FHWA encourages states like Florida, that own and operate most intersections, to implement low-cost safety procedures to keep four-way stops relatively safe.
Here are unique Florida traffic laws regarding stop signs and four way intersections:
1. Right-of-Way at Four-Way Stops
Description: According to Florida Statute 316.123, at a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive has the right of way. If two vehicles arrive simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Purpose: This law is designed to prevent confusion and collisions at intersections by establishing a clear and orderly process for determining right-of-way.
2. Complete Stop Requirement
Description: Florida law mandates that drivers must come to a complete stop at stop signs before entering the intersection, as stated in Florida Statute 316.1235.
Purpose: This rule ensures that drivers have sufficient time to observe the intersection and detect any oncoming traffic or pedestrians, reducing the risk of accidents.
3. Yielding to Pedestrians
Description: Florida Statute 316.130 requires drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk at intersections, even when there are stop signs.
Purpose: This law prioritizes pedestrian safety, ensuring that vehicles stop and allow pedestrians to cross safely, thereby preventing pedestrian-related accidents.
4. Stopping at All Signs
Description: Drivers must stop at all posted stop signs before proceeding, as per Florida Statute 316.123. This includes stopping behind the stop line or crosswalk.
Purpose: This regulation ensures that drivers have a clear view of the intersection and any oncoming traffic, reducing the likelihood of collisions.
5. Prohibition of Rolling Stops
Description: Known as the “rolling stop” prohibition, Florida law requires that vehicles must come to a full and complete stop at stop signs, as emphasized in Florida Statute 316.1235. A “rolling stop” is not sufficient.
Purpose: This law aims to prevent drivers from slowing down without fully stopping, which can lead to accidents due to insufficient observation of the intersection.
How These Laws Prevent Accidents
- Right-of-Way at Four-Way Stops: By establishing a clear order of precedence, this law reduces confusion and potential conflicts between drivers at intersections.
- Complete Stop Requirement: Ensuring drivers stop completely allows for better observation of the intersection, reducing the chances of entering the intersection unsafely.
- Yielding to Pedestrians: Prioritizing pedestrian right of way protects vulnerable road users and prevents accidents involving pedestrians.
- Stopping at All Signs: Consistent stopping at stop signs ensures that drivers can assess intersection conditions and oncoming traffic more effectively.
- Prohibition of Rolling Stops: Requiring a full stop rather than a rolling stop ensures that drivers take the necessary time to observe and react to other vehicles and pedestrians at intersections.
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The red-light intersection isn’t the only place a negligent driver can change your life, stop sign intersections can be just as deadly if you are in a car crash with a fault driver who ignored the unsigned intersection. If you or a loved one has been involved in a stop sign car accident, the law offices of Florin|Roebig are here to take your claim information. All you have to do to get legal advice is pick up your cell phone. There’s no fine print or disclaimers, this consultation is totally free.
