Every driver has a responsibility to others on the roadways to follow established rules of the road according to both federal and state law. However, a driver can sometimes fail to yield to another driver, cyclist, or pedestrian. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute (III) indicates that over 3,500 deaths occur every year in the United States as a result of drivers failing to yield to other drivers that have the right of way. This accounts for seven percent of all car accident fatalities and even more catastrophic injuries.
If you have suffered injuries or losses as a result of a driving failing to yield when you had the right of way, consider getting help from our legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to learn how a Sarasota failure to yield accident lawyer can help you understand all of your legal rights with respect to your car accident.
Right of Way vs. Failure to Yield
In order to avoid accidents on the roadways, every motorist must do their part to make sure that they follow the appropriate laws and rules of the road.
Right of Way
Every road and lane of traffic has specific rules regarding which drivers have the right of way or the legal right to drive in a certain direction or at a certain time. Whether it is a four-way stop or an intersection with a traffic light, every road has rules that indicate which driver has the legal right to drive through an intersection or roadway.
The right of way does not only occur at intersections. The right of way also impacts merging into traffic, merging lanes, and whether or not a driver has the legal right to make a turn at a specific time.
Failure to Yield
The failure to yield is when a driver illegally makes a driving maneuver or goes through an intersection at the wrong time. As a result of the driving failing to yield, a serious accident can occur, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
For a free legal consultation with a failure to yield accidents lawyer serving Sarasota, call (844) 730-0233
Examples of Failure to Yield Accidents
Every car accident will have its own unique set of facts and circumstances. However, there are certain situations that appear more prone to serious accidents resulting from one motorist failing to yield properly to other vehicles on the roadways.
Some examples of areas that typically experience failure to yield accidents include the following:
Intersections
Four-way intersections that have either a traffic light or stop signs can experience accidents related to one driver failing to appropriately yield to other drivers that have the right of way. In fact, Florida Statute §316.123 has specific guidance regarding which driver has the right of way when stopping at an intersection in the state of Florida.
Examples of failing to yield at an intersection include running a red light, failing to come to a full and complete stop at a stop sign, or going through the intersection before a driver has the right of way to do so. Because intersections are where motorists converge at the same time traveling in opposite directions, some failure to yield accidents result in catastrophic injuries and losses.
If you have suffered injuries related to a car accident resulting from another motorist’s failure to yield at an intersection, consider contacting our legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC to find out how a Sarasota failure to yield accident lawyer can help you receive compensation for your injuries and losses.
Illegal Right Turns at Red Lights
If a motorist stops at a red light and wants to make a right turn, they can have the legal ability to do so unless a sign indicates otherwise. However, the driver only has the legal right to make a right turn after they come to a complete stop and ensure that the roadway remains clear to merge into traffic. Failure to yield to the traffic moving through the intersection can result in serious accidents.
Illegal or Negligent Left Turns
If a motorist makes an illegal U-turn or an illegal left turn, this maneuver is not only against the law, but it can also result in serious injuries if the driver fails to yield to other motorists. In some cases, a driver will have the legal right to make a left turn, but they will still have to ensure that they yield to those drivers with the right of way. If not, they risk causing a T-bone or sideswiping accident.
Merging of Lanes
Motorists often enter and exit freeways and highways via on and off ramps. When entering a freeway or highway, a motorist must make sure that they yield appropriately to those drivers already traveling at high rates of speed in the same direction. If a driver fails to yield or merge with traffic safely, severe sideswiping accidents may result, causing injuries or fatalities.
Emergency Vehicles
Firetrucks, police cars, and ambulances with sirens and lights flashing are often attempting to get to a location where an accident occurs or a serious life-threatening event exists. As a result, motorists have a responsibility to attempt to provide safe passage for these emergency vehicles to get to the scene of an accident, crime, or fire. Failure to yield the right of way to these emergency vehicles not only prevents them from helping someone in need, but it can also cause a serious accident on the roadway.
Sarasota Failure to Yield Accident Lawyer Near Me (844) 730-0233
Learn How a Sarasota Failure to Yield Accident Lawyer Can Help
If you have experienced injuries or losses in a car accident resulting from another driver’s failure to yield to you, you may have the legal right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (844) 730-0233 to learn how a Sarasota failure to yield accident lawyer can help you pursue the awards you deserve.
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