Failing to Yield Right of Way to a Pedestrian Can Lead to a Traumatic Pedestrian Accident

Pedestrians are vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in collisions caused by a driver failing to yield right of way.

Summary

• Failing to yield right of way at intersections is major cause of pedestrian accidents, often due to drivers ignoring traffic signals.
• Drivers are legally obligated to yield to pedestrians. Failure to do so can result in severe injuries to pedestrians and leave the driver liable for damages.
• Pedestrian accident victims can seek compensation for damages like medical bills and lost wages by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
• Negligent driving behaviors such as distracted driving, speeding, and road rage contribute to drivers failing to yield right of way, leading to pedestrian accidents.

One of the most common ways a pedestrian accident can happen is when a motor vehicle driver fails to yield the right of way at an intersection. Many traffic control signals, such as stop signs, red lights, and yield signs, indicate that a driver must stop to allow pedestrians to pass through a crosswalk. 

A negligent driver who is distracted, drunk, speeding, or overly aggressive can ignore these signs and advance through the intersection anyway. A pedestrian in the crosswalk is at risk of a traumatic injury. Typical pedestrian accident injuries include broken bones, knee injuries, or back and neck injuries.

Drivers must always yield the right of way to pedestrians to prevent a person without the protection of a vehicle from receiving significant harm. Failing to yield the right of way can cause a severe pedestrian accident and can leave the driver liable. 

Pedestrian accident victims can file a personal injury claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to pursue compensation for damages, like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. 

Jones Law Group offers the expert legal guidance you need to maximize your compensation in a pedestrian accident lawsuit. Call us at (727) 571-1333 or complete a contact form through our website to schedule a free consultation.

What Does it Mean to Yield the Right of Way?

Motor vehicle drivers must pay attention to traffic control signals when they come to an intersection or stop. Stop signs, red lights, and yield signs are there to control traffic, allow all lanes of traffic to be able to advance in their commute, and give pedestrians and bicyclists time to cross the street. 

Yielding the right of way means adhering to these signs and a motorist stopping their progress to allow for others to move. Failing to yield the right of way is when a driver decides to disobey the traffic control signals that tell them to stop and continue with their commute. 

Negligent driving behavior, such as drunk driving, speeding, and reckless driving, can lead to them failing to yield the right of way. It is an unlawful act that can lead to a pedestrian accident and leave them liable for damages in a pedestrian accident claim.

Failing to Yield Right of Way is a Common Cause of Pedestrian Accidents

Committing the negligent action of failing to yield the right of way can lead to a car accident. For example, a sideswipe collision can happen when a motorist drives too close to a car passing through an intersection. This negligent action is also a common cause of pedestrian accidents, as motorists can crash directly into pedestrians in crosswalks.

Pedestrians require drivers to adhere to the right-of-way laws and traffic control signals to allow them to pass through crosswalks at intersections. With all of the vehicles around, it’s too risky for them to try to cross the street without stopping traffic. 

However, a negligent driver can disobey the laws and seriously injure a pedestrian in an intersection accident. Reckless driving heavily contributes to making Florida a dangerous state for pedestrians.

Negligent Driving Behavior That Can Lead to Failing to Yield Right of Way

Failure to yield the right of way to pedestrians results from negligent behavior by the at-fault party. Drivers can be distracted, drowsy, drunk, or aggressive while driving. That can lead to them ignoring or not noticing traffic control signals that require them to stop their car. 

Pedestrians can be harmed by this negligence, receiving direct impact from a large vehicle. As a result, they can suffer a severe injury like a crush injury, knee injury, or back and neck injury. The following are some negligent driving behaviors that can lead to a driver failing to yield right of way to a pedestrian:

• Drunk driving
• Road rage
• Distracted driving
• Drowsy driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving

Left Turn Intersection Pedestrian Accidents

There are some circumstances at intersections that can provide confusion about who has the right of way. A driver may have a green light and decide to turn left. Meanwhile, a pedestrian also has a signal to cross the street. 

This is a common cause of pedestrian accidents, as left-turn crashes make up 25% of all pedestrian accidents in the U.S. Despite having a green light, a driver in this situation still must yield the right of way to the pedestrian. 

Laws indicate that pedestrians have the legal right of way unless a traffic control signal tells them not to cross. Failing to pay attention to whether a pedestrian is crossing the street before making a left turn is a negligent action. In that case, a driver may be liable in a pedestrian accident claim.

How Can a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Help With Your Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Common pedestrian accident injuries can range from scrapes and sprains to catastrophic injuries. As a results, many pedestrian accident victims incurred damages. Costs like medical bills, lost wages, and loss of consortium, can affect them financially and psychologically. 

If a negligent driver failed to yield the right of way and caused you harm, consider filing a personal injury claim with their insurance company. When you look for the best pedestrian accident lawyer, pay attention to how they treat you before you hire them. 

A skilled personal injury lawyer can prove invaluable during the claims process. They will manage administrative tasks and advocate for your needs. Experienced personal injury attorneys also understand how to approach settlement negotiations to maximize compensation. 

They can provide sound legal counsel that can relieve some of the stress of litigation. Meanwhile, you can prioritize recovering from your severe injuries caused by the pedestrian accident.

Get in Touch With Jones Law Group About Your Pedestrian Accident Claim

Jones Law Group is a personal injury law firm with experience helping pedestrian accident victims recover fair compensation for damages. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have a long track record of success helping injured pedestrians whose walks were ruined by negligent drivers. 

If you were struck by a driver failing to yield the right of way, our pedestrian accident lawyers can help you collect evidence of their liability and negotiate a fair settlement. Additionally, our team can answer common questions about pedestrian accidents.

We offer free consultations, so potential clients can get an understanding of how we operate. We’ll also review what the personal injury claims process entails. Schedule a free consultation with a Jones Law Group pedestrian accident attorney today. Give us a call at (727) 571-1333 or fill out a contact form through our website.