Some motorists exhibit reckless behavior by disregarding traffic rules as if they do not apply to them. These drivers often neglect to yield the right of way to other road users. It is the responsibility of all drivers to exercise a duty of care towards others and adhere to the established rules to prevent causing significant harm. This includes exercising caution around fellow drivers, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Failure to do so can lead to a car accident, and the negligent drivers can be held accountable for the resulting damages.
A failure to yield accident occurs when a driver fails to allow a pedestrian, cyclist, or another motorist to proceed through an intersection or crossing first. Such accidents can be severe, resulting in significant injuries and, tragically, loss of life. If you have been injured in a similar accident, consulting with a dedicated auto wreck attorney can help protect your rights against the party responsible for the collision. Our Missouri City failure to yield accident lawyers are experts in handling such cases and are ready to assist you.
As mentioned, yielding the right of way is a legal obligation. It means that a driver must allow another vehicle or person to proceed first in certain traffic situations. However, state traffic laws do not assign this right to a specific driver or individual; it depends on the circumstances. Determining fault can be challenging when an accident occurs, which is why the guidance of an experienced legal professional may be necessary to determine which driver had the right of way.
When two vehicles approach an intersection simultaneously, one of them must yield to the other. In this scenario, the driver on the left should yield to the one on the right. This rule applies to all motorists, including cyclists.
For pedestrians, this rule does not apply. Pedestrians always have the right of way when crossing a road at a crosswalk without a traffic signal. However, pedestrians should maintain eye contact with drivers to ensure that they are aware of their presence. Fortunately, there are marked areas where drivers are legally required to stop and yield to pedestrians, indicated by road signs. If you were struck in such an area, our local accident lawyers can assist you in holding the driver accountable for their failure to yield.
In order to maintain road safety and prevent accidents, specific rules dictate which drivers should yield the right of way to others in certain situations. Drivers are expected to yield to:
If your accident did not occur in any of the aforementioned situations, it would be advisable to consult an attorney to help evaluate your right of way case. Being uncertain about the legal aspects of your accident should not deter you from pursuing compensation for your injuries.
Failure to yield collisions can happen for various reasons, with some related to the driver’s behavior and others stemming from less common causes such as mechanical failures in the vehicle. More than 90% of these accidents are attributed to human error, indicating that drivers themselves are primarily responsible due to their actions or lack thereof.
Some of the common causes include:
Regardless of the cause of your right of way accident, it is crucial to retain a lawyer who could guide you through the legal aspects of your case.
In almost all cases, the driver who failed to yield is considered responsible for the accident. This means that their auto insurance is typically responsible for covering your claims. If they did not have insurance coverage at the time of the accident, they may need to compensate you from their personal assets, or you may need to rely on your own Uninsured Motorist coverage.
Determining liability also depends on the percentage of fault assigned to each party involved. The amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For instance, if you were found to be 20% at fault for the accident and your damages are valued at $10,000, your final payout would amount to $8,000. Seeking the assistance of an attorney who specializes in failure to yield incidents can help you pursue the maximum amount of damages for your case.
At Lone Star Injury Attorneys, our team of Missouri City failure to yield accident lawyers is dedicated to securing maximum compensation for our clients, covering both economic damages (such as medical bills) and non-economic damages (such as pain and suffering). If you or your loved one has been injured in a right-of-way incident, we encourage you to contact our offices today to schedule a free case evaluation.
