Involved in a Crash Because a Driver Failed to Yield the Right of Way? Contact Us Today
At The JLF Firm, our Riverside car accident attorney is a strong, experienced advocate for victims and families. We invest time, resources, and attention to detail into every case that we take on. If you or your loved one was hurt in a crash caused by another driver’s failure to yield, please do not hesitate to contact us today at our Riverside law office for a free, no-obligation consultation with a top-rated California auto accident attorney.
What is a Failure to Yield Crash?
Broadly explained, a failure to yield crash occurs when a driver does not give the legal right-of-way to another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist. These accidents most often happen at intersections, highway merge points, and where there are crosswalks. Notably, the failure to yield can mean ignoring traffic signs, merging at an improper time, or turning left in front of oncoming traffic without sufficient clearance. It is a violation that is one of the leading causes of preventable accidents. When a driver fails to yield, they may be held legally liable for any resulting injuries.
Understanding the Right-of-Way Laws in California
Right-of-way laws are the key concept for failure to yield crash claims. In California, right-of-way laws are governed by the California Vehicle Code (CVC). It sets forth the obligations of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users to reduce the risk of traffic collisions. Notably, right-of-way is not automatically granted; it must be given by law. A driver in Riverside cannot simply assert that he or she has the right-of-way. Instead, the law specifies who must yield in a given scenario. Here is an overview of the key points to be aware of:
- Intersections Without Signs or Signals (CVC § 21800(a)): When vehicles arrive at an uncontrolled intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to another driver.
- Left Turns (CVC § 21801(a)): A driver intending to turn left must yield to all oncoming vehicles that are close enough to pose a hazard.
- Stop Sign Intersections (CVC § 21802): After stopping at a stop sign, a driver must yield to any vehicle already in the intersection or approaching closely enough to pose a hazard.
- Pedestrians in Crosswalks (CVC § 21950): Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the street within any marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
- Entering a Roadway (CVC § 21804): Drivers entering a road from a private driveway, alley, or shoulder must always yield to all traffic that is already on the roadway.
Compensation for Failure to Yield Accidents
You may be wondering: How much compensation can you recover for a failure to yield accident in California? The answer depends on a wide range of case-specific factors. In Riverside County, car accident victims have the right to pursue compensation for their actual out-of-pocket losses (economic damages) and their intangible harm (non-economic damages). With that being said, insurance companies fight hard to resolve cases for less. Along with other types of damages, failure to yield accident victims may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Property loss, including vehicle repairs;
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills and other medical costs;
- Physical therapy;
- Lost wages;
- Diminished earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional anguish;
- Long-term disability;
- Reduced quality of life; and
- Wrongful death.
Be Proactive: Statute of Limitations
Car accident claims in Riverside County are time-sensitive. Under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, there is a two-year statute of limitations for car accident injury claims. If you do not initiate a personal injury lawsuit within two years of a failure to yield to a crash, you may not even be able to recover compensation at all. Do not miss your chance to fight for justice: Consult with a Riverside auto accident lawyer right away after a collision.
How Our Riverside Car Crash Lawyer Can Help
Hurt in a crash caused by another motorist’s failure to yield? You must know what to do to protect your rights and your interests.
These can be exceptionally complicated cases. You do not want to take on the challenges of the claims process all alone. At The JLF Firm, we put people and families first. With a proven record of case results, our team has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims. Our Riverside car accident lawyer is prepared to:
- Conduct a free, comprehensive review and evaluation of your case.
- Investigate your failure to yield crash, gathering all relevant evidence.
- Represent you in the settlement negotiations with insurance companies.
- Develop a personalized strategy to help you secure the maximum compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Riverside, CA Failure to Yield Attorney Today
At The JLF Firm, our Riverside car accident attorney fights tirelessly for justice. If you or your loved one was hurt in a crash due to failure to yield, we are here as a legal resource. Give us a call now or contact our firm online to arrange your free, fully confidential initial appointment. With a legal office that is conveniently located in Riverside, we handle failure to yield accident claims in Riverside County and throughout all of Southern California.