The failure to yield is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Atlanta. When drivers are supposed to yield right of way and don’t do so, they can cause anything from minor fender-benders to more serious “T-bone” crashes or even collisions with pedestrians or bicyclists. Even a relatively minor collision can leave you with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, and some can be life-altering.
At John Foy & Associates, our personal injury lawyers have been representing victims for more than 20 years, and in that time we have grown from a small local office to one of the largest and most well-respected law firms in the state. We only represent accident victims—never the insurance companies—and we know what it takes to get you the money you need and deserve. Call us at 404-400-4000 for a free consultation today.
What is a failure to yield?
Yielding means waiting while another driver goes (or a pedestrian), because that person has right of way. Drivers must yield the right of way in a variety of situations, including when entering a roadway, changing lanes, making turns, and traveling through intersections. When a driver is supposed to yield but doesn’t, he or she has broken a traffic law and can get a ticket. When the failure to yield causes an accident, the driver is legally liable for all of the damage and injuries that result.
If you are in an accident and you believe the other driver failed to yield, you should always call the police. The police will evaluate the situation and prepare an objective report. The officer may also issue a ticket to the other driver. The police report and any traffic conviction can be important evidence in your claim.
When do you have to yield right of way in Atlanta?
The City of Atlanta follows Georgia law, which lists many instances where a driver must yield right of way to others who are using the road. Bicyclists share the same rights as motorists and must also follow these traffic laws.
Common situations wherein a driver must yield right of way
Some of the more common situations wherein you must yield right of way include:
- When you arrive at an unmarked intersection at the same time as another driver, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
- At a four-way stop, always yield to pedestrians. After that, proceed in the order you arrived at the intersection. If two cars arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.
- When making left turns, yield right of way to oncoming cars.
- Yield to emergency vehicles, highway maintenance vehicles, and workers in a construction zone.
- If you are entering a street or highway, yield right of way to vehicles that are already on the roadway.
- Stop for a school bus that has its lights flashing and sign extended. If you are on the other side of a divided highway with a median, you do not have to stop.
- Always yield the right of way if necessary to avoid a crash, even if you think you have the right of way.
- Yield to pedestrians.
Beyond that, the Georgia Driver’s Manual urges you to use common sense and approach intersections with caution. Don’t put yourself in unsafe situations or risk an accident just because you think you have the right of way.
What are some common injuries in failure-to-yield accidents?
Failure-to-yield accidents can injure drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and the severity of the injury will depend on the type of accident and the rate of speed at which the vehicle was traveling.
Common failure-to-yield injuries
Some of the most common injuries in failure-to-yield accidents include:
- Head injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Neck injuries such as whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
Any time you are involved in an accident, it is critical to get a full medical evaluation as soon as possible. For most injuries, the sooner you seek treatment, the better your prospects for a full recovery.
What kind of costs can you recover in a failure-to-yield accident?
If your accident was not your fault, the State of Georgia allows you to recover all your costs and damages from the driver who caused the accident.
We typically help our clients get the following types of costs:
- Medical expenses
- Prescription drug costs
- The cost of physical and rehabilitative therapy
- Lost wages, if you had to miss time from your job because of your accident.
In some cases, you may be able to recover far more. You may be entitled to damages for pain and suffering, disability and punitive damages. If you lost your spouse or child died in the accident, you may be able to make a wrongful death claim.
In most cases, the driver who hit you is covered by insurance, and the insurance company may offer you a quick settlement. You should know that insurance companies are out to make a profit, and they will almost never offer you what your claim is really worth. We know how insurance companies operate, and that’s why we will get a full medical evaluation and assemble evidence to show them exactly what your injuries are going to cost. In the rare cases where the insurance company won’t negotiate with us, you can choose to take your case to the local courts, and we will be with you every step of the way.
Talk to an Atlanta Failure-to-Yield Accident Attorney at John Foy Today
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been helping clients recover money in failure to yield accidents for more than 20 years. Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.