Ohio Car Crash Liability: Who’s at Fault for a Stop Sign Accident?

In some cases, the at-fault driver is obvious. But in other stop sign accidents, there may be confusion or blame on both sides. If you are injured and wondering, “who is at fault after a stop sign accident,” call Kisling, Nestico & Redick right away.

Our Ohio car accident lawyers are here to review the situation, answer your questions, and discuss your options. Call us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule a free consultation.

Ohio Stop Sign Rules & Right of Way

At a four-way stop sign in Ohio, drivers proceed in the order that they arrive at the intersection. Each driver must come to a full stop, then proceed only after allowing any pedestrians to cross. Bicyclists are also expected to follow the same rules at stop signs.

Who is Responsible for a Stop Sign Accident?

To determine fault for your accident, you should consider:

Did the other driver fail to stop?

If a driver crashes into your car after running a stop sign, the accident may be entirely the other driver’s fault. Driving through a stop sign without coming to a complete stop is illegal and negligent. Yet, the other driver may still argue that you were also in the wrong. If there is evidence that you violated a traffic law prior to the accident, then the issue may come down to each driver’s percentage of fault.

Did you run a stop sign?

If you drove through a stop sign, even by accident, you are going to be responsible to some degree. The other driver may have had the right of way, making you fully liable. However, there may be a situation in which you and the other driver share fault. In this case, it may take some time to determine liability and proper compensation.

Were you on a through street?

It may be that the other driver came to a complete stop at their stop sign, but decided to drive forward and collided with you. If you were on a through street and did not have a stop sign, you had the right of way. It was the other driver’s responsibility to remain stopped until the road was clear.

Did you both stop?

If you arrived at a four-way stop at the same time as the other vehicle, and you both moved forward at the same time, it may be confusing as to who is responsible. It most likely comes down to which party had the right of way. When two vehicles come to an intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.

An Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Stop sign accidents become complicated because negligent drivers claim they did nothing wrong. At Kisling, Nestico & Redick, we will gather the evidence and prove the other driver’s fault.

If you are currently involved in a situation where the at-fault driver is unclear or lying about their actions, do not hesitate to ask for legal help.

Our experienced attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick have decades of experience handling car accidents, and we can pursue compensation for your injuries.

Contact us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW or use our online form to schedule a no-cost consultation.