Are you looking for clarification on what may or may not have led to your car accident? Do you want to learn the rules of the road and how they applied to your injuries? If so, then you need to first understand what it means to yield the right of way.
Every car driver has heard the term “the right of way” at one point or another; but what does it mean to yield the right of way for another driver.
See below for an in-depth guide on what it means to yield the right of way and why it’s such an important rule of the road.
What Does “Yielding the Right of Way” Mean?
When most people think of deadly car crashes, they tend to think of car accidents that occur on a highway, due to the higher speeds. However, you might be surprised to find out that intersections are just as dangerous, if not more so.
In fact, statistics from the Federal Highway Administration show that more than 50 percent of all fatal and injury car crashes occur at an intersection.
With traffic coming in so many different directions, it’s important that each driver understands the rules of the road and is willing to let their fellow drivers enter the intersection before themselves.
Yielding the right of way simply means that you’re allowing another vehicle to pass the intersection before you do. If everyone on the road applies this concept, then it can help everyone avoid an accident.
Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. Drivers fail to yield the right of way and, as a result, get involved in serious car accidents.
All it takes is two drivers to head into the intersection at the same time—from different directions—to start a fatal car crash.
If you’ve been the victim of someone else not yielding the right of way to you, then you need to hire a lawyer right away. They can help you identify the guilty party, file an auto accident lawsuit, and build evidence to support your claims.
When Should You Yield the Right of Way When Driving?
Almost every driver understands the basic concept of yielding the right of way: if someone comes to a complete stop at an intersection before you, you should allow them to enter the intersection first.
That said, there are different scenarios in which you need to yield the right of way. Let’s list a few of the major ones to ensure you don’t become the root cause of a future accident:
- Yield for any pedestrians waiting to cross the street at a crosswalk
- Let the signage lead the way; if you have a stop sign, you should yield to all incoming traffic from a lane that does not have a stop sign
- Whenever you make a left turn, be sure to yield to oncoming cars and pedestrians crossing the road you’re turning on to—don’t assume they’ll stop for you (even if you have the right of way)
- When you see a yield sign, be sure to observe for any oncoming traffic or pedestrians; you’re not required to stop at a yield sign
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer for Your Case
Many of you reading this article have sustained injuries due to someone else not yielding the right of way for you. See below for why you should hire a lawyer to represent you.
Get the Compensation You Deserve
You didn’t ask for this to happen. You were driving safely when suddenly, someone violated the rules of the road and caused a car accident.
So, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your own financial well-being for an accident that you didn’t cause. If someone else is at fault, then their insurance company is liable for all of your lost income and costs.
When you hire a lawyer, they can help you pursue the compensation you’re entitled to. They’ll help you calculate things like medical bills, lost wages, and long-term costs to figure out the exact compensation you should hold out for in a settlement.
Peace of Mind
This is a stressful time. You’re trying to recover from serious injuries, make sure that your finances aren’t sabotaged, and try to settle with an insurance company. It’s too much.
When you hire a car accident attorney, you’ll find yourself much more at peace with the entire process. They’ll give you instructions to follow and take over as the primary representative for your case.
A lawyer will allow you to focus on your recovery while they work on building evidence and waiting it out for the right level of compensation. They can even direct you to a pre-settlement funding provider to pay for those costly medical bills in the short term.
They’ll Take Over Communications
If you’ve ever talked with an insurance company before, then you know how frustrating it can be. Just imagine trying to get them to hand over money. They’ll do anything they can to avoid that.
That’s why hiring an attorney is so crucial for your case. They will take over all communications with the insurance company so that you can focus on getting things back to normal.
Better yet, they’ll only update you on significant occurrences; that way, you aren’t tied up in the back and forth of a typical settlement.
Hire a Trusted Attorney for Your Case Today
Now that you have a firm understanding of what it means to yield the right of way, be sure to use this information to your advantage.
Take the time to read this article for more information on what to do after a fatal auto accident if you or someone you know has been involved in one recently. To get started, please reach out to us at 844.RHINO.77.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
