Car Accidents due to Running Stop Signs

Intersections are among the most dangerous places on North Carolina roads. When a driver fails to stop at a sign or yield the right of way, the result is often a violent collision that changes lives in an instant. Stop sign violations cause thousands of crashes each year across the state, from urban intersections in Raleigh to rural crossways in small towns. Victims of these accidents frequently face significant injuries, vehicle damage, and confusion about how to pursue accountability.

When life knocks you down, you need a heavyweight in your corner. At Lanier Law Group, we step into the ring for those injured by drivers who ignore stop signs and traffic rules. Our attorneys have decades of experience investigating intersection crashes, proving fault, and guiding victims through the recovery process. We fight for fair compensation and the justice that every North Carolinian deserves.

Why North Carolina Accident Victims Trust Lanier Law Group

After a stop sign accident, you need more than just a lawyer—you need a team that understands how to build your case and communicate with compassion. Our firm brings years of investigative skill and legal knowledge to every intersection collision claim.

Decades of Experience Handling Intersection and Stop Sign Accidents

For more than twenty years, we have represented victims of collisions caused by drivers who ran stop signs or failed to yield. Our attorneys know how to interpret crash reports, identify key evidence, and reconstruct events that happen in seconds but cause lasting damage. We’ve handled claims throughout North Carolina, from busy Charlotte intersections to quiet rural crossings with poor visibility.

Proven Results for Victims of Negligent and Reckless Drivers

Our record reflects our commitment to holding negligent and reckless drivers accountable. We have recovered compensation for clients injured in a wide range of intersection accidents, including T-bone collisions, rear-end crashes, and pedestrian strikes. Each result is built on a foundation of careful preparation, expert collaboration, and relentless advocacy.

Client-Focused Support and 24/7 Availability Throughout North Carolina

You deserve legal guidance when you need it most. Our firm offers continuous support, keeping communication open and transparent throughout the process. Whether you’re dealing with medical appointments, insurance adjusters, or repair estimates, we’re available day and night to help you navigate the challenges after a crash.

Why Stop Sign Violations Are a Leading Cause of North Carolina Intersection Crashes

Stop sign violations remain one of the most common contributors to serious crashes across North Carolina. Intersections demand full attention, and a single careless decision can cause a chain of devastating events.

Distracted Drivers Failing to Notice Stop Signs

Distraction is one of the leading causes of stop sign accidents. Drivers who glance at phones, GPS devices, or dashboard screens can miss vital cues. Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to entering an intersection at full speed, striking another vehicle or pedestrian. Our investigations often reveal that distraction played a central role.

Speeding and Late Braking at Intersections

Drivers approaching an intersection too quickly may misjudge the stopping distance or fail to anticipate a stop sign. This behavior is especially dangerous on downhill roads or when visibility is limited by trees, buildings, or curves. Speed-related stop sign collisions often produce severe side impacts, sending vehicles spinning into other lanes or roadside structures.

Impaired Drivers Ignoring Traffic Control Devices

Alcohol or drug impairment reduces awareness and slows reaction time. Impaired drivers may not recognize stop signs at all or may fail to brake in time to avoid a crash. These cases often result in criminal charges, but victims still have the right to pursue civil compensation for their injuries and losses.

Rolling Stops and Failure to Yield to Oncoming Traffic

Some drivers slow down but never come to a full stop, assuming the intersection is clear. Rolling stops frequently cause T-bone crashes when one vehicle enters the intersection while another has the right of way. Under North Carolina law, failing to stop completely at a stop sign violates traffic safety statutes and supports a finding of negligence.

High-Crash Intersections Across North Carolina

Many collisions occur at intersections with high traffic volumes or limited visibility. Locations such as U.S. 70 in Durham County and rural crossings in Johnston and Rowan Counties have been identified as frequent sites for stop sign violations. Understanding these high-risk areas helps law enforcement and attorneys recognize common patterns in these accidents.

Typical Scenarios of Accidents Caused by Ignoring Stop Signs

Stop sign crashes can take several forms depending on traffic flow and road layout. Each presents unique challenges for victims and investigators trying to determine exactly how the collision occurred.

T-Bone Collisions From Failure to Yield

A T-bone collision, also known as a side-impact crash, is one of the most dangerous results of a stop sign violation. When a driver enters an intersection without stopping, they can strike another vehicle directly in the side where protection is limited. These crashes often occur at full speed, leading to severe injuries for occupants on the impacted side.

Rear-End Crashes Caused by Sudden Stops

Sometimes the driver running the stop sign isn’t the only one responsible for an accident. Vehicles behind them may not anticipate sudden braking, leading to rear-end impacts. In multi-car incidents, investigators must analyze the sequence of events carefully to assign liability correctly.

Multiple-Vehicle Chain Reactions at Busy Intersections

Busy intersections in cities such as Greensboro and Fayetteville frequently see chain-reaction crashes when one car runs a stop sign and several others collide trying to avoid the impact. These accidents can involve multiple insurance carriers and require expert reconstruction to determine the initial point of failure.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents at Crosswalks

Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable at intersections where drivers disregard stop signs. Many of these victims suffer head injuries, fractures, and other serious trauma. Crosswalk violations highlight the importance of full stops and heightened awareness in residential and urban neighborhoods.

Accidents at Uncontrolled or Poorly Marked Intersections

Rural areas often have intersections where stop signs are obscured by foliage or missing altogether. Drivers unfamiliar with the area may not realize they are approaching a crossroad until it’s too late. When poor signage contributes to a crash, local or state authorities may share responsibility for failing to maintain adequate warnings.

Common Injuries From Stop Sign Collision Accidents

Intersection crashes cause injuries that are often more severe than those from rear-end collisions because the impact occurs at a perpendicular angle. The limited protection on the sides of vehicles exposes occupants to significant forces.

Whiplash and Neck or Back Injuries

Even at moderate speeds, the jerking motion from a sudden side or rear impact can strain muscles and ligaments in the neck and back. Whiplash may take days to appear, but the pain and stiffness can persist for months without proper treatment.

Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries

When a driver or passenger’s head strikes a window or airbag, a concussion or more serious brain injury can result. Symptoms like confusion, dizziness, and headaches may develop gradually. Medical documentation of these conditions is critical to both recovery and compensation claims.

Broken Bones and Chest Injuries From Seatbelts and Airbags

Seatbelts and airbags save lives but can cause fractures, bruising, and burns during deployment. Side-impact collisions often lead to broken ribs or arms as occupants are thrown toward the door or center console. We work with medical professionals to record these injuries accurately for use in your case.

Spinal Cord Damage and Paralysis

Severe intersection crashes can cause spinal fractures or nerve injuries that result in partial or complete paralysis. These life-altering injuries require extensive medical care and long-term financial planning. We help clients secure compensation that covers rehabilitation, equipment, and home modifications.

Fatalities in High-Impact Intersection Crashes

Unfortunately, stop sign violations often lead to fatalities, especially when vehicles collide at high speed or strike pedestrians. Families who lose loved ones in these accidents can file wrongful death claims to seek justice and financial stability during an unimaginable loss.

How Police Reports and Evidence Prove Stop Sign Violations in North Carolina

Establishing fault after a stop sign collision depends on credible evidence. Police reports, witness statements, and technology all play critical roles in proving that a driver ignored a stop sign and caused the crash.

Role of Police Citations and Crash Reports

When officers arrive at the scene, they evaluate skid marks, vehicle positions, and driver statements. If they determine that one driver ran a stop sign, they issue a citation that becomes strong evidence in a civil case. The crash report also includes diagrams and notes that attorneys use to reconstruct events.

Using Traffic or Intersection Camera Footage

Many North Carolina cities use intersection cameras that record continuous footage. These videos can confirm whether a driver failed to stop or attempted to run through the intersection on purpose. Footage is time-sensitive and often overwritten quickly, so our attorneys act fast to preserve it.

Eyewitness Testimony Supporting Liability

Witnesses who saw the collision can provide independent confirmation of what occurred. Statements from nearby pedestrians, passengers, or other drivers often establish whether the at-fault driver stopped or accelerated through the sign.

Dashcam or Vehicle Data Recorder Evidence

Dashcams and onboard event data recorders capture vital information about speed, braking, and steering. This objective data helps demonstrate whether the driver attempted to slow down before entering the intersection. We request and analyze this evidence as soon as possible to prevent alteration or loss.

Accident Reconstruction to Confirm Fault

In complex cases, accident reconstruction specialists use physics and computer modeling to determine how and why the crash occurred. They measure distances, vehicle trajectories, and angles of impact. These analyses strengthen your claim and refute insurer attempts to dispute fault.

Legal Consequences of Running a Stop Sign in North Carolina

Running a stop sign carries legal penalties and can establish liability in a personal injury claim. North Carolina’s traffic laws are designed to protect all road users, and violations serve as clear evidence of negligence.

North Carolina Traffic Law and Penalties for Stop Sign Violations

Under North Carolina General Statute §20-158, drivers must stop at intersections marked by stop signs and yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Failing to do so is a moving violation that can result in fines and driver’s license points.

Points, Fines, and License Impacts for At-Fault Drivers

Drivers who run stop signs face monetary penalties and an increase in insurance rates. Repeated offenses can lead to license suspension. These penalties highlight the seriousness of disobeying traffic control devices.

How Criminal Citations Affect Civil Liability

While a citation alone doesn’t guarantee civil liability, it strengthens an injury claim by showing the driver violated safety laws. Civil courts often view traffic tickets as supporting evidence of negligence per se—the legal presumption that breaking a safety rule caused harm.

When Recklessness Elevates to Gross Negligence

Some stop sign violations go beyond carelessness, such as when a driver speeds through an intersection or does so while impaired. These situations may justify punitive damages designed to punish and deter reckless behavior.

Intersection Laws and Right-of-Way Obligations

Drivers must understand who has the right of way at four-way stops and unmarked intersections. Misjudging right of way or assuming others will stop creates preventable collisions. Our attorneys explain these laws clearly in court to demonstrate how violations led directly to injury.