Failure to Yield Auto Accident Attorneys
A driver who fails to yield to other vehicles that have the right of way when entering an intersection or merging onto an Indiana interstate can cause an accident involving serious injuries. Many failure-to-yield accidents are caused by drivers not paying attention and driving through a stop sign or traffic light. Pedestrians in crosswalks may be seriously injured or fatally injured by motorists who fail to yield the right of way.
If you have been injured because another driver failed to yield the right of way, you should explore your legal options with a knowledgeable Indianapolis failure-to-yield accident attorney. Failure to yield is a serious traffic violation. Our experienced attorneys can deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance company while you focus on your recovery. We have several satellite offices across Indiana and serve accident victims in Indianapolis, Batesville, Fort Wayne, Anderson, Muncie and Lafayette. Attorney David Craig and the legal team at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC care about our clients and take pride in our record of accomplishments. We will work hard for you to receive full and just compensation. Having a solid understanding of your legal options enables you to make decisions after a failure-to-yield accident.
What are the common causes of failure-to-yield accidents?
A failure-to-yield accident typically results from a driver error. A driver may not be paying adequate attention to the road or may not understand which vehicle has right of way at an intersection. A driver may fail to see an oncoming vehicle or misjudge the speed of an approaching vehicle at an intersection and violate the other driver’s right of way, causing a crash.
Failure-to-yield accidents often occur at four-way stops or intersections with traffic lights. In 2016, more than 4,400 collisions in Indiana involved a driver who disregarded a traffic signal, according to Indiana Traffic Facts. A young, inexperienced driver may be confused about who has the right of way at a two-way or four-way stop or when merging onto a highway. A driver may fail to allow another driver who has the right of way to pass and pull into their path, causing a collision.
Motorcycle accidents at intersections often involve a failure to yield. Automobile drivers waiting to turn left frequently fail to see approaching motorcyclists who are proceeding through the intersection. The automobile driver may turn in front of the motorcycle, violating the biker’s right of way and causing a collision.
In urban areas, a common type of failure-to-yield accident involves people on foot. Around college campuses such as Purdue University and the University of Indianapolis, students on foot are common. Pedestrians in a crosswalk in Indiana have the right of way. But a motorist who is not paying adequate attention may fail to see a person in a crosswalk. A posted yield sign indicates that a driver must slow down when approaching an intersection. A driver must be ready to stop if another driver or pedestrian is approaching from another direction. If a driver disregards a yield sign and strikes a pedestrian or a bicyclist, the collision can cause serious injuries even at lower speeds. Under Indiana law, a driver is not required by law to slow down or stop for someone standing on the curb waiting to cross the street.
How many crashes are from failures to yield in Indiana?
Failure to yield is a serious moving violation. A driver who causes an accident may be issued a ticket by police for failure to yield, a traffic violation that carries six points on the driver’s license.
Failure to yield was the primary contributing factor in more than 35,800 accidents in Indiana in 2016, including 8,341 accidents that caused injuries and 120 that resulted in deaths.
It is one of the most common driver actions that contribute to traffic accidents.
What if I am injured in a failure-to-yield accident?
If you have been seriously injured by a driver who failed to yield, you may be out of work for weeks or months during your recovery and incur significant medical expenses. If you sustained catastrophic injuries, you may be unable to return to work or be limited in the type of work you can perform.
If someone else violated your right of way and caused your injuries, then their liability insurance should pay your medical bills. You should not be saddled with medical debt and loss of income for an accident caused by another driver’s carelessness or inattention.
Indiana law permits people who are injured in car accidents caused by other drivers’ failure to yield to seek compensation for:
- medical bills,
- property damage
- emotional distress
- pain and suffering.
You may file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who caused a failure-to-yield accident. You may demand compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses.
Should I hire a failure to yield crash lawyer?
If you have been seriously injured by another driver, you will need experienced legal representation to deal with the other driver’s insurance company.
If you try to deal with the insurer on your own, you will be at a disadvantage. Insurance companies make a profit by minimizing the amount paid in claims. The insurer may be reluctant to agree to a fair settlement without legal pressure. The insurance company may dismiss your claim, delay until the statute of limitations has run or offer a settlement that represents pennies on the dollar of a fair settlement amount.
You need an experienced personal lawyer who will aggressively represent your interests. Our attorneys will calculate the full extent of your present and future losses and submit a demand letter to the insurance company. We will negotiate aggressively on your behalf for a full settlement and be prepared to go to court if necessary.
When you have our team of Indianapolis failure-to-yield accident attorneys representing you, you get the benefit of our years of legal experience. You’ll get the determination to stand up aggressively for your rights.
It is important to contact a personal injury lawyer quickly if you have been injured in a failure-to-yield accident. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.