Car Accidents Caused by Failure to Yield Right of Way

“Left Turn” (CC BY 2.0) by Eric Fischer

Injured in a car accident due to the other driver failing to yield? Call 1-800-ATTORNEY!

We all aspire to follow traffic rules and regulations so that no accidents occur. That being said, just because you’re a careful and conscientious driver doesn’t mean that others always are.

There are a lot of drivers out there that don’t always drive carefully—or even defensively. Maybe they think they’re too important, or think that whatever they’re doing justifies cutting people off in traffic, not waiting for pedestrians to cross the road, performing an illegal U-turn, etc. No matter why someone fails to yield right of way and causes an accident, their negligence often has direct consequences on other drivers; consequences for which they are legally responsible.

These drivers can be penalized in two ways: criminal charges levied by the police, and civil claims brought by any injured victims. When it comes to issuing a citation or bringing criminal charges against the at-fault driver, the decision is ultimately up to the discretion of the police. On the other hand, if you suffered an injury in the car crash, you have every right to seek reimbursement for your losses by filing a personal injury claim.

Were you injured in an accident caused by another driver’s failure to yield right of way? We can help get you the compensation you deserve for no out-of-pocket costs, and we only earn a fee if we actually win your case. Call us today at 1-800-ATTORNEY for your free consultation.

Examples of When Right-of-Way Comes into Play

1. Always slow down and be prepared to come to a complete stop anytime you see a YIELD sign.
2. If you are entering a roadway from a private road or a driveway, you should always yield to traffic.
3. If two cars simultaneously arrive at an intersection controlled by stop signs or a flashing red light, the vehicle on the left should always yield right of way to the vehicle on the right. That being said, if these two cars arrived at an intersection at slightly different times, the one that arrived and stopped first has the right of way to proceed through the intersection.
4. When on a highway service road or frontage road, understand that “yield to ramp” may apply to ALL lanes of the service road; not just the leftmost lane.
5. Do not enter an intersection if there is a blockage or obstruction in traffic (even if you have a green light) until it is clear. If your car ends up blocking an intersection, you could share in liability for a collision.
6. Always yield to ambulances, firetrucks, and law enforcement vehicles. If passing an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, move to another lane (or slow down if switching lanes is not possible).
7. Yield to any and all pedestrians in the roadway (even if jaywalking).
8. Yield to all marked AND unmarked crosswalks (including sidewalks that cross alleys, driveways, entrances, etc).

Unprotected Left Turns at Intersections are Extremely Dangerous

An unprotected left turn (where you have a green light instead of a green arrow) is inherently dangerous for a number of reasons, and is the most-common scenario leading to serious accidents caused by a failure to yield. When you make an unprotected left turn, you’re crossing opposing lanes of traffic where drivers absolutely have the right of way. A simple mistake or negligence on the part of the turning driver can easily lead to a fatal car accident.

Even more-alarming is the fact that in a staggering 35% of all fatal car-vs-motorcycle collisions, the passenger car was negligently making a left turn while the motorcyclist was traveling straight in his or her own lane or passing in a lawful manner.

Drivers making unprotected left turns are required to be cautious and make an informed and accurate decision regarding when to cross. Drivers have a legal duty of care to yield to any and all vehicles that may present an immediate danger of a collision. Should an accident occur, the negligent party is liable for making the victim “whole” again by compensating them for any and all related losses.

How a Traffic Accident Attorney Can Help

Insurance claims involving right-of-way rules tend to be highly contested, and generally require the collection of witness testimony, traffic cam evidence, and an in-depth investigation. Do not think for a second that the other guys’ insurance company is going to voluntarily offer you anywhere close to what you deserve (if they even offer you anything at all). Without an attorney, the insurance company makes the rules and you simply have little to no leverage when it comes to contesting liability or negotiating a fair settlement.

Luckily, a car accident attorney costs you nothing out of pocket, as they only earn a fee if and when they win your case or are able to secure an agreeable out-of-court settlement. Let us help you prove that the other driver’s failure to yield was the root cause of your accident. Give us a call at 1-800-ATTORNEY today for a free and confidential consultation. If we feel as though you have an actionable case, we’ll explain the options available to you moving forward at no cost.

admin