In 2018, drivers failing to yield caused 3,579 fatal motor vehicle accidents, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). This driving behavior is the fourth most common reason cited in fatal accidents. What makes this situation even more tragic is knowing that if the at-fault driver obeyed the law, he or she could have avoided the accident.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a failure to yield accident, Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help. Our Detroit failure to yield accident lawyers can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver for the losses you suffered. For a free case review, contact our team today by calling (844) 730-0233 to learn more.
Failure to Yield
Failing to yield is a driving error that occurs when a driver proceeds when he or she should wait for the other drivers to go first. Drivers in Michigan are required to yield to others in various situations, such as when they are at a crosswalk or about to make a turn.
Drivers who do not follow these rules are liable for negligence if their failure to yield causes an accident.
For a free legal consultation with a failure to yield accidents lawyer serving Detroit, call (844) 730-0233
Types of Failure to Yield Accidents
There are various situations in which a failure to yield can cause an accident, such as:
- Failing to yield at traffic lights
- Failing to yield when merging
- Failing to yield when turning left
- Failing to yield to private drives or parking spaces
- Failing to yield to pedestrians
- Failing to yield to emergency vehicles
These accidents may result in serious injury or even death when they occur at higher speeds or head-on.
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Common Causes of Failure to Yield Accidents
Some of the common causes of failure to yield accidents include:
Distractions
Distracted drivers may not be paying attention to road signs or the vehicles around them. However, all drivers have a responsibility to be on the lookout for other drivers and potential hazards. When a driver is texting and driving, talking on the phone, checking emails, or talking to passengers in the vehicle, he or she may not notice a yield sign and may collide with another vehicle.
Impairment
Drivers may be impaired by a variety of substances, including:
- Alcohol
- Illegal drugs
- Prescription drugs
- Over-the-counter medication
When drivers are impaired, their mental faculties may be compromised so that they do not understand signs or take unnecessary risks. In other situations, impaired drivers may not see other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians.
Inexperience
Teenagers and other inexperienced drivers may not know the rules of the road or may not keep a lookout for applicable signs, causing them to fail to yield when necessary.
Vehicle Malfunction
A vehicle with poor brakes or worn tires may take more time to come to a stop, which may cause a driver to roll through a stop or yield sign. However, all vehicle owners have a duty to keep their vehicles in good condition.
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Michigan Yield Laws
Michigan Vehicle Code 257.649 discusses many of the situations when a driver must yield to others, including:
- At intersections, the driver in the intersection has the right of way. Any drivers approaching the intersection must wait.
- When two vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way.
- If a traffic light is malfunctioning, again, yield to vehicles in the intersection, allow the driver to the right to proceed first, and then proceed with caution.
- If there is a yield sign, the driver must slow down, observe the road conditions, and yield the right of way to vehicles in the intersection and approaching the intersection. If there is a chance of causing an accident, the driver is to stop until conditions are clear and may only proceed when there is no danger.
- If there is a stop sign, the driver is to stop and yield the right of way to all other drivers in the intersection. The driver may only proceed if he has clear road conditions that will not cause an accident.
- If the driver is merging with traffic onto a highway, the driver must yield to the drivers on the highway and adjust his speed to match the flow of traffic, avoiding dangers and not creating one in the process.
Violating any of the above rules can result in a civil infraction. There are additional rules that apply to yielding to emergency vehicles and pedestrians. Our Detroit failure to yield accident lawyers can investigate the circumstances leading up to your accident and try to find evidence that the other driver violated one of these rules to prove his or her negligence.
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Potential Losses in a Failure To Yield Accident
Failure to yield accidents can result in significant losses. Accident victims may be eligible to recover compensation for the losses they suffered, including the following:
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
If you would like to discuss your case and how you can pursue awards, contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today.
Contact Our Detroit Failure to Yield Accident Lawyers Today
If you have suffered injuries in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, a Detroit failure to yield accident lawyer from Ben Crump Law, PLLC can help. We will thoroughly investigate your claim, determine how the other driver was at fault, and work on your behalf to secure a fair settlement. We work on a contingency fee basis, so we do not charge any attorney fees unless you receive compensation. Call us at (844) 730-0233 for your case consultation.
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