When a driver uses bad judgment while operating a motor vehicle, the consequences can be tragic. It is difficult to come to terms with the fact that you or someone you love has become seriously injured or killed because a driver has ignored posted traffic signs or signals. This type of tragedy could have easily been avoided if that driver had simply observed the rules of the road like he or she is supposed to.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident caused by a driver who ignored traffic signs or signals, you are likely very upset at that person’s lack of responsibility. In the meantime, there are probably medical bills piling up quickly while you are left dealing with your injuries. It’s also likely that the accident has led to missed work and wages as financial hardship is often one of the consequences of being seriously injured. You should contact a personal injury lawyer right away as you may be eligible for compensation to cover your expenses and other damages you’ve suffered.

Types of Traffic Signs and Signals

Throughout California, there are thousands of intersections, stretches of highways, back roads and streets which are marked with traffic signs and signals. Most crashes in the state take place at intersections due to high traffic volume and obvious dangers such as vehicles turning, changing lanes, stopping & starting and drivers changing speed. Some of these intersections are controlled by traffic lights, some by stop signs and others by yield signs.

Traffic signs and signals are posted in California for a reason. These signs and signals help keep order in traffic and they also are designed to reduce the number and severity of traffic accidents. When someone neglects to obey traffic signs and signals, they are putting themselves at risk as well as other drivers, their passengers and pedestrians. If you have been injured in an accident that was caused by a driver disregarding posted traffic signs or signals, you should speak with a California personal injury attorney as soon as possible. The negligent driver may be held liable for your injuries wherein you could receive monetary compensation for what has happened to you.

Many drivers choose to ignore construction zone warning signs in California. Each year, many accidents happen in construction zones due to drivers ignoring signs which tell them to stop, reduce their speed, change lanes, etc. Unfortunately, many victims of these types of accidents are construction workers themselves who were only doing their jobs.

School zone signs are posted near schools to warn drivers to slow down. While most of us know that it’s important to obey school zone speed limits, not every driver feels the same. When a careless driver chooses to drive through a school zone at regular or high speed, he or she is putting the lives of children, teachers and visitors at risk.

Why Drivers Ignore Traffic Signs and Signals

Intoxication – Unfortunately, in spite of strict drunk driving laws in California, many drivers still decide to operate their vehicles while intoxicated. It is very common for an intoxicated driver to choose to ignore traffic signs/signals or to simply not notice them due to them being impaired.

Driver thinks the signs are unnecessary – Some drivers believe that some traffic signs are simply not necessary. For instance, a driver could think that a yield sign at an intersection is not needed and instead of yielding, he/she simply drives straight ahead without checking for oncoming vehicles. This type of driver negligence can result in other drivers and their passengers becoming injured or killed.

They don’t believe they’ll be caught – It’s common for some drivers to think there’s little chances of them being caught by police for ignoring traffic signs and signals. This type of attitude is a dangerous one to have in traffic as doing something like disregarding a stop sign can easily lead to an accident that injuries or kills innocent people.

Law enforcement officers hear all types of excuses and stories when stopping drivers who’ve blatantly disregarded traffic signs and signals. Everyone who drives on California roads is required under law to obey all traffic laws and rules. Drivers who fail to do so are often the reasons horrific traffic accidents occur. Even the most cautious driver can be injured or killed by another driver who is using very poor judgment by disregarding traffic signs/signals.

Types of Accidents that Can Happen

When a driver chooses to ignore posted traffic signs or signals, he/she can easily be the reason an accident happens. Among the most common types of accidents that can occur when drivers ignore traffic signs and signals include:

Head-on collisions – A head-on collision is on that is caused when one vehicle strays into the path of another. This type of collision often has a poor outcome as those involved are often times seriously hurt or killed.

Intersection collisions – A crash at an intersection is a common type of accident caused by negligent drivers. An accident of this nature involves two vehicles that strike each other in an intersection. Accidents happening at intersections can be head-on collisions, side-impact collisions, rear-end collisions or multiple vehicle piles ups. Rollover accidents also can occur in intersections and especially when speed is a factor.

Vehicle-pedestrian accidents – When a driver fails to obey a traffic sign such as a stop or yield sign or a red light signal, he/she can very easily strike and injure pedestrians who are lawfully crossing the intersection or walking near the roadway. If speed happens to play a factor in this type of accident, the victims are often very seriously injured or killed as a human body is no match for a speeding car or motorcycle.

Types of Compensation

If you or someone you care about has been seriously injured due to a driver failing to obey a traffic sign or signal, you may be able to obtain compensation for:

• Current medical bills
• Projected medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Pain & Suffering
• Loss of earnings

While most drivers obey traffic signs and signals, there are many drivers who choose not to. Becoming injured unnecessarily because a driver chose to ignore the rules of the road is upsetting enough. But when you discover that you cannot pay for the medical care and treatment you need and those bills just keep coming in, you may feel more upset and even lost. That’s why you should contact an attorney that specializes in personal injury law. It’s likely that the driver who caused the accident can be held accountable for what has happened to you. You could end up receiving fair and just compensation for the accident which would assist you financially and help ensure that what happened to you, won’t happen to someone else.