There are several ways in which four-way accidents can occur and lead to serious injury. It is possible that distracted drivers crossed an intersection or failed to give the right of way. If you suffered an injury at a four-way stop intersection, you are eligible to get damages and compensation for your injuries. If you are confused about where you should start your case, consider contacting a personal injury attorney in Queens.
Filing a lawsuit after a four-way stop collision
Every driver is bound by law to stop completely at a stop sign. When there are two or more stop signs at an intersection, the driver of the first approaching vehicle should stop.
Those on the left side of the road must give way to the vehicles on the right when two cars arrive at a stop sign at the same time. In addition, when cyclists and pedestrians cross intersections, cars must stop.
What Commonly Leads to Accidents involving Four-Way Stop Signs?
Distracted driving is a contributing factor for four-way stop sign accidents, as is every time a driver fails to stop completely. Drivers who speed may not have a chance to stop, which raises the risk of side-impact crashes and other accidents.
The following other factors also cause four-way stop sign accidents:
- Drivers who are not accustomed to the rules regulating four-way stop signs, particularly if they are beginners.
- Decreased visibility as a result of severe weather or poorly maintained intersections.
- Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Miscommunication via using hand gestures or looking at each other.
- Aggressive driving, such as honking the horn or yelling out the window to create a potentially dangerous situation, or trying to pass other vehicles faster at intersections.
In the case of a four-way stop accident, who might be held responsible?
Automobiles that fail to give up the right of way often result in accidents. They could potentially be held liable for carelessness if they fail to stop entirely at traffic signs as instructed.
Other factors could shed additional information on who might be responsible for an accident, including:
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Comparative fault
Shared responsibility could arise from multiple people contributing to an accident. If a claim is brought in this case, two or more drivers could be found partially liable for the damages.
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Government entities
In the case that unsafe road conditions lead to an accident, government agencies could be held responsible. However, accident victims or their attorneys must prove that the responsible party was aware of the dangerous road situations or should have been aware of them and decided not to take the necessary corrective action.
