Tampa Stop Sign Accident Lawyer
Most children learn at an early age to stop when they see a “STOP” sign or a red light at an intersection. Unfortunately, as those children grow up and become drivers, some of them forget this lesson and decide to treat stop signs as a mere suggestion rather than a rule of the road. And that decision can prove costly–not just for the driver but anyone who happens to be in their path.
Stop sign accidents are among the most preventable kinds of motor vehicle crashes in Florida. Yet they remain among the most common. And if you are among the injured victims, you have a right to demand compensation, either from your own insurance company or the driver who decided to ignore the stop signal in the first place.
An experienced Tampa stop sign accident lawyer can assist you in seeking the money you are entitled to under the law. Florin Gray is a team of dedicated, hands-on Florida personal injury lawyers. We have helped many clients through the Tampa region recover compensation for their medical bills, lost income, and other damages arising from a stop sign accident.
Knowing the Rules of the Road at Stop Signs
Florida law is pretty cut-and-dry when it comes to stop signs. A driver must stop at a stop sign or red traffic signal. Normally, this means coming to a complete stop at a clearly marked stop line. When no stop line is present, the driver must stop before entering a crosswalk. If there is neither a stop line nor a crosswalk, the driver must stop at the nearest intersection where they can see approaching traffic.
Drivers must also know when to yield at an intersection controlled by multiple signals. For example, at a four-way stop, the driver who stops first has the right of way to proceed into the intersection. In the event two drivers approach the intersection simultaneously, the driver on the right has the right-of-way.
A driver who ignores a stop sign or stop signal and gets into an accident is generally considered at-fault. But the driver may also try to claim the other driver’s actions contributed to the accident. Florida now follows a modified comparative fault rule in personal injury cases. This means that if a jury determines that the plaintiff was more than 50 percent at-fault for an accident, they recover nothing. And even a lower percentage of fault on the part of the plaintiff will reduce how much the defendant must pay in damages.
Hit in the Intersection Today? Contact Florin Gray
It is also worth remembering that most Florida car accidents are governed by the state’s no-fault insurance system. So if a reckless driver runs a stop sign and hits you in the intersection, you generally can only rely on your own coverage to pay for your medical bills, lost income, and property damage. But if your injuries pass a certain threshold–which is not uncommon with these kinds of accidents–you can go beyond your insurance and sue the reckless driver in court.
Our Tampa stop sign accident lawyers can review your case and advise you of your options. Contact Florin Gray today to schedule a free consultation.
