A driver’s failure to observe Ohio’s right of way laws can harm anyone who uses the roadways, including pedestrians. Many motorists focus intently on getting to their destination when they are driving, which means some are not paying attention to their surroundings or keeping the road rules in mind. Driving in this manner could lead to failing to yield the right of way to other drivers.
Sometimes this failure to yield causes accidents that injure people and perhaps change their lives forever. Accident injuries range from minor to severe, and some people die when struck by a vehicle that failed to stop or slow down.
If you or a loved one is recovering from injuries after an accident that occurred because a driver did not yield, you may have legal recourse to seek compensation. An Akron failure to yield accident lawyer can review the details of your case. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 today to schedule a free consultation.
Ohio’s Right of Way Laws
Ohio is clear about who has the right of way in specific scenarios and when that right should be recognized. Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 4511.43 governs right of way laws in Ohio. The Ohio Department of Public Safety also explains when drivers must yield the right of way. State law says drivers must yield when:
- Approaching a yield sign or a stop sign
- Crossing or entering a highway from a smaller road with less traffic
- A vehicle is approaching from the right at an intersection of two similar roads where there is no traffic control device
- Pedestrians are in marked or unmarked crosswalks and intersections
- Approaching a public safety vehicle
- Approaching vehicles in a funeral procession
- Approaching oncoming traffic when making a left turn
- Approaching oncoming traffic if they want to turn right on a red light
When drivers approach an intersection that does not have a working traffic signal, they must act as if it is a four-way stop. The first vehicle to approach the intersection goes first, and then vehicles on the right proceed.
Ohio drivers who fail to yield can earn two demerit points on their driver’s license. Fines can vary as they are left up to each jurisdiction to set them. Under state law, if it is determined that a driver was distracted when failing to yield and that this distraction caused the failure to yield, the driver can face additional fines as outlined in ORC § 4511.991.
For a free legal consultation with a failure to yield lawyer serving Akron, call (844) 730-0233
How an Akron Failure to Yield Accident Lawyer Can Help
Failing to yield as directed under state law can cause accidents that could take months or years of recovery. Common accident injuries that could result include minor scratches, bruises, and burns to significant wounds, such as fractured skulls or bleeding on the brain, internal organ damage, broken bones, and damaged soft tissue.
If you or a loved one have suffered from injuries due to an accident, you likely have medical bills from emergency care you may have received on the accident scene or from an extended hospital stay. You may also have therapies you must attend regularly to heal, and you may need medications to facilitate your recovery.
You also may be suffering from mental health disorders since your accident, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. If so, this could mean receiving additional therapies that help you address your disorders.
If you are considering taking legal action against the driver who caused your injuries, you must first present evidence that they are liable. An Akron failure to yield accident lawyer can help you with this task.
A lawyer can work on your behalf to prove the other party was at fault and, therefore, negligent when they did not observe the right of way. Usually, this effort to establish liability starts with a review of the facts and then an investigation. An attorney can investigate the accident scene and review all pertinent documents about the accident, including any police reports and medical records.
They can interview eyewitnesses and view footage of the accident from a traffic camera if one is available. They can also present your case to the liable party’s insurer and negotiate for a fair settlement that helps you recover your accident-related expenses, such as:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced income, reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of consortium, loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
An attorney can also help you accurately calculate your damages and determine what financial award you can seek. They can review any settlement offers you might receive from an insurance company and guide you through the review process of such offers. If a fair settlement that meets your needs is unreachable, they can take your case to court.
You can benefit greatly from hiring representation that could help you manage your case and receive the compensation you deserve. Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help you sort through the details of your accident and help you go after financial awards that can help you recover from your accident. Give us a call today to set up a free case evaluation. We want to hear the details of your case and review possible options with you as you consider how you want to proceed.
Akron Failure to Yield Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Ohio’s Statutes of Limitations
If you are thinking about pursuing recovery by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the liable party in your failure to yield accident, consider how promptly doing so could work in your favor.
ORC § 2305.10 requires that you file your action in civil court within two years of your accident. This period sounds like a lot of time, but an attorney will need time to build a solid case, which could take more time than you realize. You can file your case anytime as long as it is within the two years, but generally, you reduce your risk of filing late if you start early.
If a loved one died in the accident, you have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit, as explained in ORC § 2125.01. Once these deadlines expire, you likely will lose your chance to seek recovery from the person who caused your accident.
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Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today for a Free Consultation
Ben Crump Law, PLLC is ready to help you win the financial awards you deserve. You have suffered enough, and no matter how tough the case is, we do not shy away from it. We believe the person who caused your accident should pay for your treatment and other damages. Give us a call at (844) 730-0233 to set up a free consultation today.
If you choose to hire us to represent you, we work on contingency. You pay nothing out of your pocket, and we charge you no up-front attorney’s fees. We collect our payment only if we obtain a settlement on your behalf.
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