Car Accidents and Failure to Yield
Auto accidents involving multiple vehicles typically occur at intersections or when lanes merge and converge. In fact, many crashes take place at red lights, yellow lights, stop signs, and yield signs. When a driver fails to yield, it can have serious consequences. That’s why the Daytona Beach and Palm Coast, FL lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau are here to help.
When a driver fails to yield and causes a collision, it’s important to speak with a skilled car accident attorney about what happened. Let’s discuss these kinds of crashes below.
What Does “Failure to Yield” Mean?
During certain situations on the road, a vehicle may have the right of way. For instance, when turning right at an intersection, the turning vehicle must stop or slow down to allow perpendicular vehicles to pass before turning into the flow of traffic. When making an unguarded left turn at a light, the vehicle turning left must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.
A failure to yield simply means that a driver does not recognize that they must yield to other traffic. This can lead to catastrophic and even fatal crashes.
Reasons People Do Not Yield the Right of Way
Some of the most common reasons why people fail to yield include:
- Lack of understanding of the rules of the road
- Negligent driving
- Reckless driving
- In a hurry/running late
- Driver distraction
- Failure to check for oncoming hazards
Statistics on Failure to Yield Crashes
According to numbers compiled by the Insurance Information Institute, many fatal crashes involve the failure to yield. In 2017, there were 3,711 fatal crashes that were the result of a driver’s failure to yield the right of way, comprising 7.1 percent of all fatal collisions that year. Countless injury crashes and property damage collisions were the result of the failure to yield.
Determining Negligence in a Failure to Yield Accident
Assessing negligence in a failure to yield collision will usually be determined by the nature of the crash. If a driver was making a right turn, left turn, or waiting to merge into a lane, it’s very likely that they were negligent in doing so. Any video footage and witness testimony will be key in determining who was liable and bears responsibility for the collision occurring.
Settlements and Legal Damages for These Kinds of Crashes
Whether seeking a settlement or legal damages for an auto collision, the amount sought will be used to cover medical expenses associated with the crash, vehicle damage, damage to other property, lost wages, and lost future earnings. In the case of fatal crashes, funerary costs and the emotional toll of losing a loved one will also be considered.
Our lawyers are here to help you negotiate a fair settlement and to take your case all the way to trial if needed. We are here to offer essential insight into the legal process.
Speak with Skilled Personal Injury Attorneys
For more information about your legal options following an auto collision, be sure to contact a skilled injury accident lawyer. The attorneys of Chanfrau & Chanfrau are here to help. You can reach our law firm in Daytona Beach by calling (866) 610-0653 and our office in Palm Coast by calling (386) 439-7760.