Accidents Involving Stop Sign Violations

The term "California stop" refers to the act of rolling through a stop sign—not coming to a complete stop—or else not stopping at all. In spite of the innocuous sound of this term, car crashes can result from a California stop, and the injuries may be catastrophic, ranging from broken bones to quadriplegia or even death. If you are injured in an accident involving a stop sign violation, you should not discuss the matter with an at-fault driver's insurance adjustor before consulting your own attorney. The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Sharifi Firm are ready to help you advocate for your rights.

California Vehicle Code section 22450 provides that a driver of a vehicle approaching a stop sign marking an intersection should stop at the limit line before going into the crosswalk. When there is no limit line, the driver is required to stop at the entrance of the intersecting road. Local authorities are allowed to adopt rules by ordinance that provide for the placement of stop signs at any locations in their jurisdiction where the use of stop signs would result in better traffic safety.

If a driver fails to come to a complete stop and winds up crashing into your vehicle and injuring you as a result, you may be able to bring a personal injury lawsuit based on negligence. In that case, you would seek to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the other driver owed a duty of care, the driver breached their duty, the breach was the cause of the injuries, and actual damages resulted. A breach of duty can consist of a failure to abide by Cal. Veh. Code section 22450.

You may be permitted to allege negligence per se, which is negligence as a matter of law. Negligence per se may apply when a driver's violation of a safety regulation, ordinance, or statute causes injuries. The plaintiff must be a member of the group that the rule was supposed to protect, and the injuries suffered must have been the type of injuries that the rule was supposed to prevent.

If you successfully prove negligence or negligence per se, you can potentially recover compensatory damages, both general and special. General damages are noneconomic damages, including pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment. Special damages are tangible economic losses, such as medical bills, household services, vocational rehabilitation, and lost income. If the reason for the stop sign violation was the at-fault party's drunk driving, it may be possible to recover punitive damages as well.

At Sharifi Firm, APC, our experienced Los Angeles attorneys may be able to help you pursue compensation for your injuries and losses as a result of an accident involving a stop sign violation. We are aggressive advocates for our clients with the trial experience necessary to conduct productive negotiations with insurers. Contact us at (866) 422-7222 or via our online form to schedule a free consultation with a motor vehicle collision attorney. Our firm also represents victims in Temecula, Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, and San Bernardino, among other Southern California cities.