Washington residents lead busy, productive lives. The downside of this bustling activity is daily traffic congestion and aggressive drivers, including those at intersections, on-ramps, and other areas where roads intersect or merge. Drivers have a legal obligation to adhere to traffic laws, including those governing the right-of-way at intersections, merging into traffic, and exiting parking lots and side streets. Unfortunately, serious accidents sometimes occur when a driver fails to yield the right of way. An accident caused by the failure to yield the right of way can leave an injury victim with physical and economic damages, making it difficult to move forward without significant compensation. A skilled Marysville car accident lawyer from Wells Trumbull can help you assess liability and fight for the compensation necessary to cover medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
What Is “Right-of-Way?”
An important aspect of traffic law is the concept of right-of-way. A vehicle’s right-of-way defines the driver’s right to proceed into an intersection or the right to occupy a roadway space in accordance with the traffic laws. Right-of-way laws in Washington also apply to pedestrian crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and other traffic situations and are meant to promote the smooth flow of traffic and prevent accidents and injuries.
When a driver fails to yield the right of way to another vehicle or pedestrian when appropriate under the law, it may result in a collision. A driver who doesn’t follow the traffic laws and causes an accident is liable for the damages they cause to others.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of all car accident injuries and one-quarter of all traffic accident fatalities occur in intersections. Intersection accidents often result from right-of-way violations, leading to injuries among drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. Common types of accidents caused by a driver’s failure to yield the right of way include the following:
- T-bone accidents (broadside accidents or angle collisions)
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on collisions
- Sideswipes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Wide-turn accidents
- Multi-car pileups
An accident in an intersection or caused by failure to yield the right of way when merging into traffic or exiting a parking lot, driveway, or side street can result in severe injuries with substantial damages. The driver who failed to yield the right-of-way is liable for damages to injury victims.
Common Damages Recovered In Failure to Yield Car Accidents In Washington
Injuries in intersection accidents and other collisions caused by a driver’s failure to yield may range from mild to catastrophic or fatal. Even mild injuries can be costly, but severe injuries may result in life-altering damages. With a carefully handled claim, an injury victim can recover damages such as the following:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses
- Anticipated future medical expenses related to the injury
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost future earnings or diminished future earning ability
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for catastrophic injury damages, if they apply, such as loss of limb, loss of an organ, hearing loss, vision loss, disfigurement, or compensation for diminished quality of life
After a driver fails to yield the right of way, resulting in a fatal injury to a motorist or pedestrian, the closest surviving family member may recover compensation in a wrongful death claim.
How Can a Washington Car Accident Lawyer Help?
Failing to yield the right of way is more than a traffic violation; it also puts lives at risk and leaves the negligent driver liable for damages to injury victims. Call the Arlington personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull for experienced legal counsel to investigate the accident, document evidence of liability, and calculate your damages to maximize your financial recovery while you focus on your physical healing. Contact Wells Trumbull today.