Pulling up to a Turlock intersection can sometimes leave a driver a bit stupefied. Who goes first? Which lane is mine? Which light am I waiting on? The confusion can be blamed on a lack of knowledge of traffic law or sometimes it’s just a careless driver not really paying attention to what’s going on.
The inattention or “failure to yield” the right-of-way to the correct driver can instantly put safe drivers in a dangerous situation. Cautious drivers will know that they are proceeding correctly, so they may not be on the lookout for a careless driver not yielding the right of way and suddenly be in their path.
Failure to Yield Accident Dangers Around Turlock
An intersection brings many cars together at once and sends them in different directions. It’s no wonder intersections are the backdrop to many accidents each year due to the confusion they can cause for careless drivers.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that in an average year there are over 5,500 fatalities in intersection accidents. About 77 percent of those accidents involve an intersection with traffic lights. The rest are governed by stop signs.
A full quarter of accidents at traffic light intersections involved a “failure to yield” violation. Almost half of the accidents at intersections with stop signs involved a driver “failing to yield.”
The Common “Failure to Yield” Violations
A commonly seen “failure to yield” violation is when four motorists reach a four-way stop at the same time. The driver on the right, by law, is supposed to proceed first. The other drivers are required to wait, but if they don’t they have “failed to yield.”
Failure to Yield accidents can also involve a driver trying to turn left. This turn will have the driver crossing in front of oncoming traffic. The car traveling straight through the intersection often has the right of way with a green light, but the turning car will misjudge that oncoming car’s speed and distance and attempt to turn in front of the vehicle.
Of course, not yielding when you see a yellow yield sign results in a violation. The concept can also apply to turning right on a red-light. The drivers that are supposed to wait their turn, don’t and pull out in front of an approaching car.
What to do After an Accident at a Turlock Intersection
If you are the victim in an accident caused by another driver who didn’t know the laws and didn’t yield the right of way, you’ll want to gather certain details after the crash. If you’re physically able, follow these steps to stay safe and begin to build your case:
- Assess the injuries you or your passengers suffered.
- Call 911. Give a full report to Police.
- Take photos of the scene, document the intersection where it happened, and make notes of where you were and where the at-fault driver entered the intersection.
- Get information from any witnesses on the scene.
- Trade information with the other drivers involved, but don’t make any statements about what happened or take the blame for the accident.
- Get yourself and family members checked out by your own doctor. Get full documentation.
Compensation After a “Failure to Yield” Accident
Victims in an accident in California are given up to two years from the date of the crash to file a claim for damages against the driver who caused the collision. The claim will attempt to recover the physical, emotional, and financial damages the victim has experienced during recovery.
Some of the hardships that may earn compensation if the case is successful include:
- Hospital and medical expenses.
- Earnings you’ve lost from missing work.
- Costs associated with permanent disability and disfigurement.
- Emotional Distress. A claim might provide for the costs of counseling and psychological services.
- Damage or destruction of property.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact a Turlock Car Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a “failure to yield” accident it is not recommended that you wait a year or more to file your claim for damages. If you delay, the effort to collect evidence, contact witnesses, and gather important records will become more difficult. A local attorney can assist you in assembling these details to help you build a strong case against a driver who did not know the rules of the road and put your life in danger.
After an accident involving a serious injury, contact an experienced Turlock car accident lawyer such as Martin Gasparian for a free consultation and case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian takes a hands-on approach to every case. He believes that every client should work directly with their lawyer, get honest advice, and personalized attention to detail their case deserves.
