Cumming Failure to Yield Car Accidents
A failure-to-yield car accident can leave victims with painful injuries, missed time at work, and an intimidating pile of medical bills. If you were injured in a failure-to-yield crash in Cumming, Georgia, you may be entitled to hold the at-fault driver accountable for your losses by filing an injury claim with help from a knowledgeable attorney.
At Weaver Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping our clients seek the money they deserve after devastating accidents. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you in a free initial consultation.
What Is the Right-of-Way?
The right-of-way is a critical driving concept. In the broadest sense, having the right-of-way means you have the legal right to move first or continue moving in a given traffic scenario. When a driver fails to yield the right-of-way properly, they significantly increase the risk of a dangerous traffic collision.
What Constitutes a Failure-to-Yield?
Under Georgia law, a failure to yield the right-of-way can occur when, for example:
- A driver cuts off other motorists as they merge onto a highway or public road.
- A driver neglects to wait for pedestrians or cyclists to safely exit crosswalks or intersections before proceeding.
- A driver turns left into the path of oncoming traffic.
- A driver fails to yield to motorists who arrived first at a three-way or four-way stop.
- A driver refuses to slow down or pull over for oncoming emergency vehicles.
Failure-to-Yield Car Crash Statistics in Cumming
According to statistics published by the Insurance Information Institute:
- Failure to yield the right-of-way is the third-most common driving behavior reported for drivers involved in fatal crashes, behind only speeding and driving under the influence.
- In a single recent year, 3,728 fatal accidents involved drivers who failed to yield the right-of-way.
- Also that year, 7.3 percent of all fatal accidents involved failure-to-yield behaviors.
How Do I Recover Compensation for a Failure-to-Yield Accident?
If you were injured in a failure-to-yield accident caused by a negligent motorist, Georgia law allows you to file a claim against the at-fault driver to demand compensation for your losses. Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses for your accident-related injuries
- Lost wages and losses in your future earning potential
- Pain, suffering, and losses in your quality of life
- Incidental expenses such as the cost of travel needed to make medical appointments
- Repair or replacement costs for damage to your vehicle or other property
Types of Failure-to-Yield Accidents in Cumming
No two failure-to-yield crashes are alike, but the following circumstances frequently appear in failure-to-yield accidents in Cumming, GA:
- Left turns – Drivers must navigate across one or more lanes to make a left-hand turn, which can be difficult in dense traffic. When drivers fail to pay attention to other motorists or fail to time their left turns correctly, they can cause accidents with other drivers who had the legal right-of-way.
- Right turns on red – Making a right-hand turn at a red light requires good timing and spatial judgment. If a driver fails to properly gauge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles before turning right, a failure-to-yield can occur. Drivers may also fail to watch for pedestrians entering the crosswalk from the right.
- Stop signs, yield signs, and traffic lights – When drivers don’t obey right-of-way at stop signs, yield signs, and traffic lights, confusion or impatience can cause them to hit other motorists exercising the proper right-of-way.
- Bicycles and pedestrians – Sometimes drivers forget that cyclists and pedestrians have many of the same rights to the road as motorists. As a result, a significant number of failure-to-yield accidents affect bicycle riders and pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
- Parking lots and driveways – Backing up out of a driveway or parking spot requires concentration and constant monitoring of blind spots. When negligent drivers back out of parking spaces, driveways, and garages without checking their surroundings, innocent pedestrians and passing motorists can get hurt.
- Three-way and four-way stop signs – Three-way and four-way stop signs can be especially tricky because of intersecting traffic from multiple directions. The danger of failure-to-yield accidents caused by negligent drivers is increased at these locations for motorists, pedestrians, and other road users.
- Merging – Drivers are required to ensure that they can safely enter lanes of traffic before merging or turning. Unfortunately, negligent drivers frequently fail to make sure they have the right-of-way before merging, increasing the risk of failure-to-yield accidents.
- Emergency vehicles – All road users must yield the right-of-way to active emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police cars, and firetrucks. Failure to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles can lead to devastating accidents, not to mention deadly consequences for those in need of emergency aid.
Common Causes of Failure-to-Yield Vehicle Accidents
Drivers in Georgia are expected to understand the state’s right-of-way laws and yield the right-of-way in appropriate circumstances. Unfortunately, many failure-to-yield accidents still occur as a result of:
- Distracted driving such as texting or talking on the phone while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicants
- Driver fatigue from sleep deprivation or medical conditions
- Lack of driver experience or proper training
- Reckless driving behaviors such as speeding and lane weaving
- Poor road conditions such as missing or obscured traffic signs
What Injuries Are Common in Failure to Yield Accidents?
Many failure-to-yield accidents occur at high speeds and leave accident victims with painful injuries such as:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries such as whiplash and herniated discs
- Spinal cord damage and partial or total paralysis
- Severe lacerations and deep bruises
- Fractured, dislocated, and broken bones
- Damage to soft tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles
- Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding
- Traumatic or surgical amputations
- Post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional injuries
Determining Liability in Failure-to-Yield Accidents
To claim compensation from the other driver after a failure-to-yield accident, you must be able to demonstrate their liability for the crash. A knowledgeable attorney can help you identify and preserve helpful evidence of the other driver’s negligence, such as:
- Information from police accident reports
- Photos and video footage from the accident scene
- Vehicle damage and visible injuries from the wreck
- Medical bills and other proof of your financial losses
- Statements from eyewitnesses who saw the crash
- Testimony from experts such as accident reconstruction specialists
Contact Our Failure-to-Yield Accident Attorneys in Cumming Today
The Weaver Law Firm has more than 20 years of experience serving our Georgia neighbors after life-changing car accidents. Contact us today to discuss the details of your failure-to-yield accident case in a free initial case review.