Auto Accidents Caused by Stop Sign Violations By Sean Burke on May 17, 2017

At the Law Offices of Sean M. Burke, we handle cases involving auto accidents of all types, including those that result from drivers running through stop signs. Stop sign violations are so common in the state of California that when people roll through a stop sign anywhere in the nation, it is known as a “California stop.” Unfortunately, all too many of these violations have resulted in serious injuries or even deaths to innocent victims who were abiding the law.

Personal injury attorney Sean M. Burke has devoted his professional life to providing exceptional legal representation to those who have been harmed by the negligent or deliberately wrongful actions of others. He has extensive experience and a history of success in handling claims involving drivers running stop signs and causing auto accidents in the Orange County, CA region. If you or a member of your family has been injured in an auto accident caused by a driver negligently running a stop sign, or if you have lost a beloved family member in such an accident, Mr. Burke can help you in your pursuit of justice.

We urge you to contact the Law Offices of Sean M. Burke to arrange for an evaluation of your auto accident case today.

Common Causes of Auto Accidents Involving Stop Sign Violations

According to California Vehicle Code Section 22450, drivers approaching a stop sign at an intersection must stop either at the limit line, if one is marked, or before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection. If there is no crosswalk, then the driver must stop before entering the intersecting roadway.

Before proceeding into an intersection, drivers must observe the right-of-way laws and yield to vehicles that are already in the intersecting roadway or that arrived at other stop signs first. If a driver fails to come to a full stop at the appropriate location or to yield right-of-way before entering an intersection, and an accident occurs as a result, then he or she can be held accountable for the losses and expenses that ensue.

The most common causes of auto accidents that involve stop sign violations include:

Reckless driving: In some cases, a driver simply fails to notice a stop sign due to inattention, being distracted by a cell phone or other piece of technology, speeding, or some other form of reckless driving.
Miscalculation: Sometimes a driver believes that he or she is approaching an all-way stop and proceeds into an intersection, not realizing that the vehicle in the intersecting roadway has no obligation to stop.
Inability to see the stop sign: If a stop sign is obstructed from view by overhanging tree branches, a parked truck, or some other barrier, a driver might run the sign. Inclement weather may also obscure the view.
Failure to yield right-of-way: Sometimes a driver refuses to yield right-of-way according to California traffic laws and proceeds without regard to other motorists’ safety.