All drivers must follow the state’s traffic laws, which include yielding the right-of-way when the situation requires it. Accidents often happen when drivers do not yield the right-of-way to other motorists or pedestrians when they should.
Depending on the specifics of the crash, people could be injured when their vehicle is hit, when they hit a car that failed to yield, or when cyclists or pedestrians are hit by vehicles that failed to yield.
At Sumner Law Group, LLC, our St. Louis failure-to-yield accident attorneys have handled countless cases caused by failure to yield. We want the opportunity to make a difference in your case.
Reach out to us online for a free consultation if you’ve been hurt. We want to help.
What Is the Right-of-Way and Failure-to-Yield?
The person who has the right-of-way has the legal right to go first, whether driving through an intersection, turning at an intersection, using a roundabout, or walking across the street.
Determining who has the right-of-way will depend on the location, traffic signals, and other factors. For instance, turning motorists have the right-of-way at a controlled intersection with a protected green light. If the green light is unprotected, motorists must yield to oncoming traffic before proceeding through the intersection. At an intersection with stop signs for all traffic, the motorist who arrives at the intersection first typically has the right-of-way.
Motorists must also yield at yield signs, to pedestrians in crosswalks, to passing emergency vehicles, blind individuals with guide dogs, and other situations. Failure to yield occurs when motorists don’t have a legal right to proceed but do it anyway. Neglecting to yield when necessary can lead to serious injury accidents.
Types of Failure-to-Yield Accidents in St. Louis
Failure-to-yield accidents frequently happen at:
- Stop signs
- Yield signs
- Roundabouts
- Traffic Lights
- Left turns
- Right turns on red
- Parking lots and driveways
- Uncontrolled intersections
- Anyplace where vehicles are merging
Causes of St. Louis Failure-to-Yield Accidents
Driver negligence plays a role in most failure-to-yield accidents. Whether a motorist simply isn’t paying attention or willfully ignores traffic signs and laws, failure to yield when required can lead to severe injuries and significant property damage.
Some of the most common causes of failure-to-yield accidents in St. Louis include:
- Impaired driving
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Aggressive driving
- Driver inexperience
- Mechanical problems such as brake failure
Types of Injuries You Can Suffer in a Failure-to-Yield Accident
Some of the most common injuries reported in failure-to-yield accidents include:
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash, slipped or herniated discs
- Spine and spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
- Cuts and lacerations
- Fractures and broken bones
- Damage to soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles
- Damage to internal organs
If you are involved in a collision caused by another motorist’s failure to yield, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even if the accident was only a minor fender bender and you don’t think you are severely hurt at first, get a medical exam anyway. Some injuries won’t start showing symptoms for hours or days after the accident.
Proving Liability for a Failure-to-Yield Accident in St. Louis
Determining fault for a failure-to-yield accident can sometimes be challenging. If a motorist hits another driver after failing to obey a road sign, it could be relatively easy to prove that they were responsible for the accident. However, liability could be less apparent in other instances. For example, if a motorist makes a left-hand turn through an intersection on top of a hill and cannot see an approaching vehicle, it could be more difficult to assign responsibility to the turning driver. If the collision occurred at a traffic light, both drivers might claim they had the green.
To prove that the other party was liable after a failure-to-yield accident, you must be able to demonstrate that they had a responsibility to follow traffic laws, that they failed to fulfill that duty, and that their carelessness directly led to your injuries. You must also show that you suffered compensable losses, like medical expenses, lost income, pain, and suffering.
If you were injured in a failure-to-yield accident, it is crucial to consult with a skilled St. Louis car accident lawyer. An experienced car accident attorney will have the skills and knowledge necessary to investigate your accident and build a strong case on your behalf.
How Long Do I Have to File a Failure-to-Yield Accident Lawsuit?
In Missouri, injury victims have five years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you were injured in a failure-to-yield accident, you must file your lawsuit within five years from the date of the incident. Otherwise, the court where you file will probably dismiss your case, and you will be unable to recover the compensation you need through the legal system.
Most personal injury claims are settled without the need for a lawsuit. However, keeping the five-year deadline in mind is important if the other party’s insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement or denies your injury claim. Your lawyer will likely use the threat of a lawsuit as leverage in settlement negotiations or will file a lawsuit and litigate your case in court if necessary.
Contact Our Failure-to-Yield Accident Attorneys in St. Louis Today
Contact a St. Louis failure-to-yield accident lawyer at Sumner Law Group, LLC, if someone else’s carelessness injured you. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s poor decisions. Our team is prepared to aggressively fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
Call us or reach out to us online for a free consultation today.
