Failure-to-Yield Accident Lawyer

Whoever has the right-of-way is an important concept for drivers to know and understand in all driving situations. Right-of-way rules control who has the right to proceed first through traffic and intersections. Thousands of accidents could be prevented in the US every year if all drivers always knew when they needed to yield to other traffic and pedestrians.

Yielding means waiting while another roadway user goes first. This includes motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians, and others. Drivers must yield the right-of-way in a variety of driving situations, including at intersections, when changing lanes, and when turning.

A failure-to-yield accident occurs when one driver fails to obey the right-of-way rules and collides with another vehicle or person. Drivers who fail to follow right-of-way laws either intentionally or unintentionally are a hazard to everyone else on the roadway.

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Right-of-way laws allow drivers to know who has the right to proceed first when traffic crosses or merges. When drivers fail to yield and obey right-of-way laws, severe car accidents can occur.

The following are examples of common driving scenarios where drivers fail to yield:

Uncontrolled four-way stops

An uncontrolled four-way stop is an intersection without stop lights or traffic signs where vehicles are coming from four directions. These types of intersections are common in areas with low-volume traffic.

The right-of-way rules at a four-way stop are as follows:

• The vehicle that arrives at the intersection right has the right-of-way
• If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the driver to the right has the right-of-way

Unfortunately, some reckless drivers proceed through uncontrolled four-way stops without yielding the right-of-way, causing serious car accidents and devastating injuries.

Crosswalks and pedestrians

Drivers must always yield to pedestrians who are crossing the street. This is true whether the pedestrian is in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If a traffic light turns green while a pedestrian or bicyclist is still in the intersection, the driver must wait until that person has safely passed before proceeding.

A pedestrian who is visually impaired — perhaps identifiable by a guide dog or white cane — always has the right-of-way. It is important for drivers to be extra cautious and yield at school crossings or when behind a school bus that has a stop sign indicating children are crossing.

Stop signs and yield signs

The law requires that drivers come to a complete stop at stop signs and do not proceed until the intersection is clear. However, many drivers perform a rolling stop at stop signs when they do not think there are pedestrians or vehicles present. This can cause serious injuries when there is a vehicle or person in the intersection that they failed to see.

Other traffic signals that control who has the right-of-way are yield signs. When approaching a yield sign, a driver should:

• Adjust speed based on the flow of traffic
• Yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the intersection or to traffic already on the highway

Left-turns

Many failure-to-yield accidents involved left-hand turns. In most situations, drivers making left-hand turns must yield to oncoming traffic unless they have a green traffic light arrow indicating they have the right-of-way.

At some traffic lights, the law allows a driver to turn left if there are no other motorists approaching straight from the other side. Before proceeding, the driver turning left must ensure that the roadway is clear of traffic, pedestrians, or any other obstacle that could result in a collision. If a driver fails to yield correctly when turning left, he or she will likely be at fault for any resulting accident.

Three-way intersections

A three-way intersection, commonly called a T-intersection, is where one road ends by joining another. Unlike four-way stops, it does not matter who arrives at the three-way intersection first.

There right-of-way rules at a three-way stop are as follows:

• The driver on the through street has the right-of-way
• The driver traveling on the road that dead-ends must yield

Failure to yield at a three-way intersection can cause a side impact or “T-bone” collision.

Merging

Moving from a lane that ends into another lane that continues forward is known as merging. A driver who is merging onto the highway has to yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.

While it’s true that drivers who are already on the highway have the right-of-way, they should switch lanes or adjust their speed if possible to allow new traffic to merge safely. Failure to yield collisions can be avoided when all drivers are considerate and obey the rules of the road.

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If you were injured in a car accident caused by another driver who failed to yield, then you may be entitled to recover compensation for your losses. A personal injury lawyer can investigate your case, inform you of your legal rights, negotiate with the insurance company, and help you recover compensation for your losses.

Failure-to-yield accident victims may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Loss of income
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment
• Mental anguish
• Disability

If you suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in a failure-to-yield car accident, you may be eligible to recover damages for wrongful death. This could include money for funeral costs, burial expenses, loss of support, loss of inheritance, and more.

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At Phillips Law Group, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a car accident can have on victims and their families. Our experienced personal injury attorneys care about the people they represent and have helped thousands of Arizona car accident victims recover maximum compensation for their injuries.

The majority of failure-to-yield car accident cases are settled through negotiations with the insurance company. However, if a fair settlement agreement cannot be reached with the insurer, our lawyers can help you file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

Schedule a free case consultation with a member of our legal team today. Our failure-to-yield accident lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means that we charge no upfront fees and only require payment if we successfully recover compensation on your behalf.

Call us now at 1-800-706-3000.

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