Whether speeding through a crosswalk in front of a pedestrian or taking a left turn at an inappropriate time, failing to yield is a serious offense. If law enforcement witnesses a driver failing to yield, they may ticket them for the infraction. But drivers can face much more severe consequences if their behavior results in a crash.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe injury because another driver failed to yield, you may have a legal right to pursue compensation. Depending on the severity and scope of your losses, you may seek monetary awards for things such as current and future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and emotional pain and suffering. If a family member died in the crash, you might pursue compensation to cover their funeral and burial or cremation costs.
Seeking justice can be time-consuming and require specific resources and expertise. In the weeks following a traumatic accident, you should be focusing on recovery, not worrying about how to get a fair settlement for your losses. You might want to consider seeking support from a Long Beach failure to yield accident lawyer.
The attorneys at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to help you with your failure-to-yield accident. When you feel up to it, consider calling the office at (844) 730-0233 to discuss your situation with a staff member and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a legal advocate.
When Vehicles Should Yield the Right-of-Way
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles, vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, cyclists, or other drivers under particular circumstances.
Drivers must stop at stop signs and red lights and slow down at yellow lights and “yield” signs. Drivers must also approach cautiously when turning from a side street onto an arterial or merging onto a highway, or when entering a roundabout. Vehicles must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in crosswalks as well. Furthermore, everyone on the roadway must stop or move to the side of the road to allow safe passage for emergency or police vehicles whose sirens or lights are on.
For a free legal consultation with a failure to yield accidents lawyer serving Long Beach, call (844) 730-0233
Causes of Failure-to-Yield Accidents
Many failure-to-yield accidents, and most collisions in general, are a result of negligence. Negligence, or failure to act responsibly, can take many forms. Often, regarding car crashes, it may entail:
- Distracted driving: anytime a driver averts their attention from driving for more than a few seconds, they put themselves and others at risk. Distracted driving may consist of texting or talking on the phone while driving (usually without a hands-free headset), engaging with backseat passengers, eating, applying makeup, or tinkering with electronics such as a GPS or entertainment device.
- Driving under the influence: according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), about one-third of traffic fatalities in the U.S. involve drunk driving. The CDC also reports 10,327 people died in crashes in California between 2003 and 2012 due to drunk drivers.
- Recklessness: reckless driving includes behaviors such as speeding, running red lights and stop signs, changing lanes unsafely, failing to yield, and tailgating, as well as aggressive driving.
- Fatigued drivers: symptoms of exhaustion can resemble intoxication and similarly cause drivers to behave unsafely.
- Defective parts: on rare occasions, a third party, such as a vehicle manufacturer or mechanic, may cause a car accident. For example, faulty mechanisms may impede a driver’s ability to brake appropriately. In this case, you may have a claim for product liability, in which the manufacturer or repair shop might be liable for their negligence.
- Dangerous road conditions: road conditions may also make safe driving more difficult. Potholes, uneven pavement, malfunctioning traffic signals or missing signs, visual obstructions, debris, and road construction crews may increase the risk of accidents. Though it is uncommon, lawyers sometimes find government agencies responsible for collisions.
The first step in pursuing damages is to determine fault. A lawyer may be able to help you establish the circumstances surrounding the accident and who caused the crash. They will gather evidence to show the full scope and severity of your losses as well. The process may include launching an investigation and reviewing police and medical records and eyewitness testimony. Consider getting in touch with a legal professional at Ben Crump, PLLC, for assistance.
Long Beach Failure to Yield Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Legal Options for Car Accident Victims
After a collision, you have a couple of options to seek compensation. The first route is to pursue a settlement from your insurance company or that of the responsible party. It is crucial to file an insurance claim as soon as possible after a crash. Most policies include a clause requiring policyholders to notify the provider within a “reasonable” timeframe, which may constitute a few weeks, at most.
When you speak with your insurance representative, do not accept blame or responsibility for the accident. Do not say you are “fine” or “good” when the representative asks how you are. Keep the conversation brief and do not offer any additional commentary about the incident. Insurance companies’ priority is making a profit. They may use anything you say against you as justification for offering a lower settlement amount.
After you file a claim, the insurance company will likely initiate an investigation. Soon after, they will probably offer you a settlement, which may be less than the total sum of your losses. Remember that you do not have to accept it. You have a right to negotiate for a fair settlement. This is one of the many areas in which a Long Beach failure to yield accident lawyer may be able to assist you.
In addition to helping you negotiate for a fair settlement with the insurance company, your lawyer can support you if you decide to pursue a civil lawsuit. Some car accident victims file a civil suit instead of taking an insurance payout. This is because the insurance policy may not cover the full extent of losses for grievous injuries or wrongful deaths.
Your attorney can help you prepare your civil case and represent you in negotiations with the defendant or their legal representative. The vast majority of civil lawsuits are settled before the parties ever enter a courtroom. But if you need to take your case to court, your lawyer will represent you there.
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Find Out What an Attorney May Be Able to Do for You
If you feel overwhelmed and stressed after a failure-to-yield accident in Long Beach, a Long Beach failure to yield accident lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, may be able to help. This team of legal advocates understands the impact a car crash can have on a victim’s life in the short and long-term and how difficult it can be to recover and move forward in the face of obstacles such as financial strain from medical bills and lost wages.
This team is dedicated to fighting for justice for car crash victims and ensuring responsible parties pay for their negligent or reckless behavior. When you are ready, consider calling the office at (844) 730-0233 to speak with a staff member and schedule a free, zero-obligation meeting to go over your options.
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