Failure to Obey Traffic Signs in Phoenix, AZ Car Accidents

When an Arizona driver chooses to navigate the roads and highways throughout the state, they are not only trusted to safely operate their vehicle, but also must always follow traffic signals present. The state of Arizona has established strict rules and regulations regarding the public roadways and expects all motorists to follow them closely. A large portion of being able to follow these rules of the road falls into the understanding and obeying of all traffic signals. Unfortunately, however, many drivers choose to ignore these traffic signs, causing a significant number of motor vehicle collisions each week.

In an effort to maintain the safe flow of traffic, elements such as regulatory signs, guide signs, warning signals, traffic road signs, and traffic lights are in place to serve as a form of direction for all drivers in Arizona. While all motorists are tested about these elements prior to receiving a drivers license, many Arizona motorists choose to ignore them, or forget the traffic signals in general. Regardless of the reason, all motorists must be well-versed on what traffic signals they will come across, as neglecting to follow them may result in an auto accident.

Many Arizona drivers fail to follow traffic signs with the false idea that they will not get caught by law enforcement officials. However, when these motorists understand the serious consequences that may follow, they are more likely to adhere to the rules of the road. In addition, as more and more drivers enter the roadways of Arizona, traffic congestion occurs. At this time, following traffic signals becomes more important than ever before. Hopefully, after an overview of the failure to follow traffic signal penalties and consequences, Arizona drivers will be encouraged to safely follow all road signs. If you or a loved one has suffered in an auto accident from another motorists failure to follow traffic signals, contact Phillips Law Group today.

To speak with an auto accident attorney, please complete the Free Case Review on this page.

Arizona Traffic Fines and Costs

Many Arizona drivers are under the false conception that once they receive a traffic ticket from a law enforcement official, they will only be responsible for the paying for the cost of that ticket. On the contrary, however, there are quite a few costs linked to a traffic ticket for failure to obey traffic signals. After contacting the local court as specific on the traffic ticket, the motorist may plead guilty and then pay the ticket fine. However, there are also a number of additional costs that many motorists fail to recognize.

After the driver who committed the infraction pleads guilty and pays the ticket fine, they may still be subject to a number of additional costs. Revoking a suspended license and other associated costs are given to offenders for breaking traffic signals. Even worse, as more and more traffic tickets are accumulated, the majority of insurance companies will raise the rates for the individual driver. Auto insurance companies increase monthly rates when they recognized that the insured driver frequently exercises poor driving habits.

To learn more about your legal options, please complete a Free Case Review form today.

Penalties for Failure to Obey Traffic Signals in Arizona

When a traffic violation leads to a ticket administered by a law enforcement official in Arizona, a number of consequences may follow. When a driver first commits an offense, the penalties are generally slight, serving as more of a slap on the wrist to deter future infractions. For instance, motorists in Arizona may receive points on their license or attend some type of defensive driving school. These types of driving courses serve to educate Arizona motorists in the hopes that they will not commit the same driving mistake again.

Unfortunately, however, many drivers continue to exhibit poor driving habits, even after receiving several traffic tickets. When this occurs, the following suspensions may arise:

  • License Suspension: the temporary loss of driving privileges
  • License Revocation: the temporary loss of driving privileges, for a longer period of time than that of a license suspension
  • License Cancellation: the absolute cancelling of the drivers license

A variety of factors and driving infractions may lead to the above consequences. Above all else, Arizona motorists must understand the importance of safely following all traffic signals. Neglecting to follow these rules may result in a penalty, fine, or in the worst case scenario, an injury or wrongful death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Phillips Law Group is prepared to represent you in the court of law in our pursuit of securing justice for you.

Speak with a Lawyer Today

When a car crash occurs in Arizona, it is imperative to speak with an auto accident attorney before speaking with insurance adjusters or investigators. These people will attempt to take written statements from you which may eventually limit the amount of monetary compensation in which you can receive. However, when utilizing a car accident lawyer from Phillips Law Group, all Arizona drivers will be placed in a position to succeed in the court of law.

To get started today, please fill out a Free Case Review above and let a personal injury lawyer based in Phoenix, AZ from our law firm review the merits of your claim.

The Arizona Department of Transportation defines traffic signals as an electrically operated traffic control devices that alternately directs traffic to stop and to proceed. Unfortunately, traffic signals are not the answer to all traffic problems at intersections and dozens of accidents occur at traffic signals throughout the state of Arizona each and every year.

In the state of Arizona there are several different penalties for those drivers who decide to fail to obey traffic signals, especially in the case that these drivers cause an accident, injuries, and death to an innocent victim. These drivers may be subject to traffic tickets, jail time, and even imprisonment under certain circumstances.

The lawyers at Phillips Law Group have deep sympathy for those injured by auto accidents and will fight for the maximum compensation benefits available for their losses and damages. These compensation benefits may include:

  • Emotional Distress
  • Funeral Expenses
  • Loss of Consortium
  • Loss of Income
  • Lost Opportunity
  • Medical Expenses
  • Mental Anguish
  • Pain & Suffering
  • Property Damage
  • Rehabilitation

To begin exploring your legal options, or to learn more about how our lawyers can help you, simply complete the Free Case Review form to the right of this page or give us a call.

Arizona Traffic Signal Infractions

The National Automobile Dealer Association has stated that the most commonly seen traffic signal infractions are 100 percent preventable. Therefore, we can reason that most traffic signal accidents are caused by negligent, distracted, or reckless drivers that knowingly disregard these signals. In any case, these drivers must be aware of the extreme dangers they are not only placing upon others, but also upon themselves.

Some common Arizona traffic signal infractions include:

  • Blocking a Merging Vehicle
  • Blocking an Intersection
  • Driving too slowly
  • Failing to Remain in Lane
  • Failing to Signal
  • Failing to Yield
  • Following too closely
  • Ignoring Red Lights
  • Ignoring Stop Signs
  • Ignoring Traffic Laws
  • Illegal Maneuver
  • Misjudgment of Gap or Speed
  • Speeding
  • Turned with Obstructed View
  • Unsafe Passing

In recent times many intersections now include cameras that take pictures of these negligent and reckless drivers in order to cite them for their actions. These cameras issue dozens of tickets each month across the state and have likely saved many lives while doing so. If you have been injured by a driver failing to obey a traffic signal, our lawyers can help, contact us today.

Types of Intersection Accidents

According to data based on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and National Automotive Sampling System-General Estimates System data, nearly 40 percent of the estimated 5,811,000 accidents in the United States throughout 2008 were intersection-related.

Some types of intersection accidents include:

  • Broadside Collisions
  • Collisions with Animals
  • Cyclist Accidents
  • Fixed Object Collisions
  • Head-On Collisions
  • Lane Departure Crashes
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Rear-End Collisions
  • Run-Off-Road Collisions
  • Sideswipe Collisions
  • Under-Ride Accidents

While these accidents may cause many injuries to drivers, passengers, and bystanders of the accident, there are still many advantages to traffic signals.

Advantages of Traffic Signals

Traffic signals are able to control traffic at intersections by relaying messages of what to do and what not to do. The primary function of these signals is to allow the right of way to conflicting traffic at an intersection, and does so by means of time separation.

By alternating the right of way of vehicle traffic movements, these traffic signals are able to provide an order to the conflicting flow. This may interrupt heavy flows of traffic in order to allow vehicles and people to cross, where they would normally not be allowed.

When these signals are timed properly they may handle a large capacity of traffic at intersections, which justify their use and need. This is a valuable asset in order to control and increase the safety and efficiency of both automobile and pedestrian traffic. These signals have been proven to reduce the number of accidents, most notably broadside collisions.

Contact Our Arizona Attorneys Today

Following an accident where a driver has failed to obey a traffic signal, if you or a family member has suffered from injuries, our lawyers at Phillips Law Group believe that the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for their losses and damages and will fight for your maximum compensation benefits.

With locations in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, our lawyers are able to serve throughout the entire state and elsewhere needed.

Some of the Arizona locations our lawyers serve include:

  • Casa Grande
  • Casas Adobes
  • Chandler
  • Flagstaff
  • Globe
  • Green Valley
  • Kingman
  • Prescott
  • Sierra Vista
  • Ward 1

Our lawyers also serve the surrounding towns, cities, and suburbs across the entire state of Arizona and elsewhere needed.

To learn more about our law firm, or to begin exploring your legal options, we extend a welcoming invitation to you to call us, or simply complete the Free Case Review form at the top of this page and our team will contact you. Our lawyers would like to assure you that all information entered here is free of charge and will remain confidential to our law firm.

One of the most overlooked but complicated driving scenarios that people encounter every day takes place at intersections controlled by stop signs. Most of us have a level of experience where the rules and norms have become instinctive, but the fact remains that a high number of Arizona car accidents occur at these locations throughout the state. For those who have been injured in these types of collisions, assigning fault can be difficult, and this process should be done with the help of experienced car accident lawyers. Below is a brief overview of how one can attach fault to a driver who causes an accident.

Arizona Stop Sign Intersection Accidents – Rebuild the Scenario

The first place to start in attaching fault to a driver who causes an accident is rebuilding the scenario that led to this unfortunate result. Generally, right-of-way in these locations is determined by which party gets to a stop sign first. That person is supposed to be able to proceed through the intersection after coming to a full stop, but many times drivers will not be paying attention to this order and will simply proceed assuming either that they were next or that other drivers will simply allow them to continue. While it can be difficult to remember the moments that came before someone was injured, the analysis of the situation starts with this process.

Witness Statements in AZ Stop Sign Accidents and Our Phoenix Injury Attorneys

After an Arizona car accident occurs, the usual course of action is for police to report to the scene in order to manage the aftermath. Part of their job is to gather information about what caused the accident and to generate a report of it. This report could be critical in terms of attaching fault to a negligent driver, and it should be located as soon as possible. In addition, names of witnesses who may have seen the collision should also be collected so that their recollection of the events can be gathered and applied to the situation and to the relevant traffic laws.

When these processes are complete, a decision can be made whether or not to move forward with a legal claim. Rather than attempting to handle all of this by yourself, seek the help of experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyers if you or someone you love has been injured. Contact Phillips Law Group today to schedule a free initial consultation.