Running Stop Signs

As individuals share the roads in cars, on motorcycles, bicycles, and on foot, it’s essential to be aware of and adhere to the rules of the road to ensure everyone’s safety. Schaumburg residents who take the time to understand what’s allowed and prohibited on city streets contribute to the overall safety of their community.

Traffic lights and signs play a crucial role in this. Having a clear understanding of the law when encountering these signals can significantly enhance the safety of your journey. Read on to learn more about traffic lights and signals.

Neglecting traffic lights and signs is considered negligent and leads to numerous accidents every year. If you’ve sustained injuries due to such negligence, promptly contacting a Schaumburg car accident attorney is crucial.

Speak to one of our seasoned stop sign accident lawyers today!

The Illinois Law Every Schaumburg Driver Should Be Aware Of

If you are a motorist in Schaumburg, you should be familiar with the laws pertaining to stop signs, red lights, and yield signs.

Stop Sign Law

The Illinois Vehicle Code contains regulations regarding street signs and traffic lights. It mandates that every driver on an Illinois street must come to a complete stop when approaching a stop sign before proceeding.

Yield Sign Law

The Illinois Vehicle Code also outlines the rules for yielding to traffic for Schaumburg drivers. When approaching a yield sign, drivers must reduce speed at the marked line indicated on the sign and allow oncoming traffic to pass before continuing their journey. After slowing down, drivers are allowed to merge into traffic.

Red Light Law

Illinois has enacted a law that mandates drivers to come to a complete stop at all non-blinking red lights. Drivers are required to stop at the marked line in front of the red light. If there is no stop line, motorists must stop where the crosswalk begins. Without a crosswalk, they should stop before entering the intersection.

Consequences of Not Adhering to Traffic Laws in Schaumburg

Drivers who disregard traffic laws in Schaumburg are subject to penalties, with the severity depending on the nature of the violation. Some examples include:

If a Schaumburg driver runs a red light on a street equipped with traffic cameras, they may receive a $100.00 fine.

If a Schaumburg driver runs a red light or fails to stop at a stop sign, they may receive a $120.00 fine.

Illinois penalizes drivers who violate traffic laws by adding 20 points to their licenses. However, attending traffic school following a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code can prevent demerit points from being recorded on the driver’s record.

Why Do These Accidents Still Occur?

The state introduced these laws with the aim of enhancing safety for all road users, including motorists and pedestrians. However, despite these well-intentioned efforts, thousands of traffic accidents occur at intersections yearly. Many of these accidents result from drivers disregarding stop signs.

Common reasons for traffic accidents despite the existence of these laws include:

Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is a leading cause of car accidents nationwide. It occurs when drivers engage in activities that divert their attention from the road. Such activities include texting while driving and making phone calls. Drivers distracted by their phones are more likely to run red lights or stop signs and cause accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, cell phone use while driving has led to a four-fold increase in injury-causing car crashes. Young drivers who use social media while driving are at higher risk of causing accidents due to distraction.

Driver Confusion: Accidents can occur when drivers are uncertain whether another driver has passed through an intersection. This can happen at both intersections and red lights. One common scenario involves the front driver choosing not to proceed to avoid colliding with another vehicle, potentially resulting in injury to a pedestrian in the crosswalk or an unexpected bicyclist.

Uncertainty About Right of Way: Some intersections require multiple vehicles to stop simultaneously, which can be confusing. Drivers may need clarification on who has the right of way and may hesitate or proceed prematurely, leading to accidents. Drivers must carefully observe and determine the correct right-of-way to avoid accidents.

Rolling Through Stop Signs: “California stops,” where drivers roll through a stop sign without coming to a complete stop, are unfortunately common in Schaumburg. These rolling stops are responsible for approximately 30 percent of all reported crashes.

Obstructed View: Accidents can also occur when drivers have difficulty seeing the stop sign due to obstructions in their line of sight. Around 40 percent of reported stop sign accidents happen because the at-fault driver couldn’t see oncoming traffic despite stopping at the sign. While it may seem unfair to blame a driver for circumstances beyond their control, lack of visibility is not a valid defense in a car accident lawsuit. Reporting visibility issues to local authorities is crucial to addressing this problem and potentially saving lives.

Technology, Design Changes, and Accident Prevention

The city of Schaumburg is leveraging technology to reduce the number of preventable accidents, with many accidents occurring at intersections. The high volume of vehicles crossing paths at intersections, coupled with limited visibility due to buildings, cars, and signage, increases the risk of severe injuries.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Department of Transportation have suggested various design changes that could make intersections safer for Schaumburg drivers:

• Converting all intersections into all-way or four-way stops could reduce crashes by 40 to 60 percent.
• Regularly inspecting stop signs to remove obstructions, ensuring they are visible to drivers.
• Increasing or improving turning lanes to prevent yielding accidents.
• Installing signs to warn drivers of upcoming hazards.
  Expanding road width in certain areas.
• Implementing smart traffic control lights to alleviate traffic congestion.
• Increasing the number of pavement markers to signal approaching stop signs.

Technological Solutions

Technology investments can significantly reduce traffic accidents and preventable injuries. Car manufacturers are increasingly focusing on developing technology to enhance safety. One significant innovation is the front crash prevention system, which includes cameras, radars, and sensors to alert drivers to potential collisions. Automatic Emergency Braking is becoming more common in newer vehicles and may become an industry standard for preventing crashes. This technology works with seat belts and airbags to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Additionally, some car manufacturers are working on front and side crash prevention systems that can detect and prevent accidents from the front and sides.

What Should I Do After an Accident?

Following a car accident, seeking legal assistance from an experienced stop sign accident lawyer is essential. A stop sign accident attorney’s primary role is to protect your legal rights and interests after injury. Therefore, hiring an accident attorney as soon as possible is crucial. Contact an accident attorney in your area to better understand your rights following a car crash.

Seek medical assistance even if you believe your injuries are minor. Even seemingly minor injuries, like headaches, can indicate more severe underlying issues. Delaying proper medical treatment can lead to complications when seeking compensation for injuries.

Attempt to speak with any witnesses at the accident scene. Your attorney may need to interview them as your case progresses. Additionally, friends and family members can be valuable witnesses, providing insight into your condition before and after the accident.

Always notify the police after an accident. Responding officers will compile an accident report, which includes an initial determination of liability. Insurance companies use these reports during their investigations to assess liability.

What Else Should I Be Aware of at an Intersection?

While you may be focused on avoiding other vehicles after learning about the factors mentioned above, it’s essential to remember that intersections are shared by bicyclists and pedestrians as well. Unlike motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists lack the protective vehicle structure, making them more vulnerable to injuries in accidents. Failing to watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists can result in severe injuries and financial liability for medical expenses.

How can a stop sign accident attorney assist me?

The role of a stop sign accident lawyer and a personal injury lawyer is to protect your legal rights and minimize your financial liability following a car accident. Unrepresented accident victims often face challenges when dealing with insurance companies and defense lawyers, potentially leaving substantial compensation on the table. Hiring a stop sign accident attorney and personal injury lawyer helps you avoid this pitfall.

Experienced car accident attorneys leverage their knowledge gained from years of practice to help you recover damages, including:

• Lost income and future earning capacity
• Current and future medical bills
• Property damage

Experienced stop sign accident lawyers approach client representation holistically, advocating for higher settlement amounts from insurance companies to ensure you receive the necessary medical care. This approach allows you to focus solely on your recovery from injuries.

If you’ve sustained injuries in an accident due to another driver’s negligence, don’t hesitate to contact a stop sign accident lawyer today. There’s no need to navigate an accident claim on your own. Following an accident, the best action is to assemble a legal team dedicated to your well-being and focused on securing the best possible outcome for your claim. Despite your injuries, a car accident lawyer can help you obtain the compensation necessary for a full recovery and get your life back on track.

Don’t waste time pondering whether to contact a stop sign accident attorney. Fill out our free case evaluation form below or call us at (847) 944-9400 to speak with a stop sign accident attorney.

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