Failure to Yield Car Accidents

As drivers, we have a duty to obey the rules of the road to avoid danger to others, whether it be other vehicle drivers or pedestrians. Among our responsibilities as a motor vehicle operator is yielding to other drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists, in certain situations. Just because a driver is operating a vehicle doesn’t mean that they always have the right of way. Car accident attorney David Tapalian helps victims who have been wrongfully injured in a Rhode Island car or pedestrian accident caused by a driver who failed to yield. Failure to yield the right of way when required by the laws of Rhode Island can result in a car accident causing serious injuries, vehicle damage, and even death.

Sometimes a driver is conscious of the fact that they are failing to yield. Perhaps they know they must yield to a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk but they are running late to work and don’t feel like waiting the extra moment for the person to cross. This can have deadly results. However, often the reason a driver fails to yield is driver negligence. The driver is not paying attention and therefore acting negligent. Driver negligence can be talking on a cellphone, texting, changing the radio station, even turning to chat with another passenger. These are all negligent behaviors that can result in the driver not paying attention, failing to yield, and causing a crash.

Simply put, yielding means letting the other road users go first. A yield sign assigns the right of way to traffic on certain roads, intersections, or upon entering highways. The yield sign means you must slow down and yield the right of way to the existing traffic, or pedestrians or bicyclists, or stop if necessary until it is safe to continue driving.

RI Right of Way Laws

Failing to yield to another car or truck or failing to yield to a pedestrian or cyclist can be a recipe for a disastrous accident. An accident that not only causes vehicle damage but possibly serious bodily injury, or even death.

Rhode Island Law says when bodily injury of another occurs due to a failure to yield to the right of way, the motor vehicle operation will be fined $200. If serious bodily injury occurs to another person because a driver failed to yield, the penalty is a $500 fine and suspension of his/her driver’s license for three (3) months. Per this law, serious bodily injury is defined as a “physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes physical disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ”.

If the death of a person occurs due to a driver’s failure to yield to the right of way in RI, the motor vehicle operator will be fined one thousand dollars ($1,000) and have his/her driver’s license suspended for one year.

If failing to yield to the right of way causes the death of another, such as a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or driver, this can be cause for a wrongful death lawsuit in Rhode Island. To determine if you are eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit for the death of a loved one you need an experienced wrongful death attorney in Rhode Island. Tapalian Law is experienced with wrongful death cases and specializes in all types of personal injury cases. Car Accident Attorney David Tapalian will personally speak with you to determine if you have a case to file a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit.

When a pedestrian is crossing within a marked crossing or close to one, drivers must stop and remained stopped to allow the pedestrian to safely cross the road. Failure of a driver to do so in RI may result in a fine of seventy-five dollars ($75.00).

When approaching a bicycle lane where a driver wants to turn left or right across the bike lane, drivers must yield the right of way to any person on a bicycle or using a motorized wheelchair. Drivers also have a duty to yield as far right as possible when an emergency vehicle is approaching.

Immediately following the accident, take pictures of damage to your own vehicle and the other drivers vehicle, as well as any injuries. Contact the local authority to obtain necessary medical help, file a police report and identity any witnesses to the accident. You will also need to notify your own insurance company. If contacted by the other party’s insurance company, however, do not admit any fault in the accident, even if you are unsure who is at fault. This can only cause difficulties in your car accident case down the road. It is advised you speak with a skilled RI Car Accident Lawyer before doing so. Tapalian Law works on car accident cases daily. Attorney David Tapalian will guide you through the entire process from beginning to end. If necessary, your car accident lawyer will involve reconstruction experts to assist in the process of determining fault and assessing damages.

If a car or truck hit you while you were driving, walking, jogging, or biking, in Rhode Island you need advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer. Tapalian Law has great experience in helping victims of RI car accidents and victims of failure to yield accidents gain the compensation they have rights to and deserve. If you’ve been hurt by another driver’s failure to yield, you have a right to sue for damages. These damages may include doctor’s bills, hospital bills, lost wages, out of pocket expenses, rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. If you are hurt and can’t get to us, we will come to you. Car Accident Attorney David Tapalian is conveniently located in Providence with a satellite office in Seekonk, MA. Attorney Tapalian helps victims of car accidents in Providence, Warwick, Cranston, Lincoln, Scituate and all over RI and MA. Contact us today at 401-552-5000 or use our online contact form.