The state has various laws in place that require a driver to yield the right-of-way to another motor vehicle, pedestrians, bicycle riders, and other individuals using the road. When a driver fails to yield in traffic as required by state law, these negligent actions can raise the chance of a car accident.
Failure to yield car accidents in Fresno are dangerous and can often lead to extensive property damage, bodily injury, or even death. If you were injured by another driver’s failure to yield, consulting with our experienced car crash attorneys can help you understand your legal options. Call Valero Law Group today to learn more.
Causes of Failure to Yield Accidents
Many different scenarios can result in a failure to yield car crash in Fresno. These wrecks commonly occur at four-way stops with yield or traffic signals. Other common examples include:
- Making a left turn into oncoming traffic
- Merging on to a road or highway
- Making a right turn at a red light or with a pedestrian in a crosswalk
- Pulling out of a driveway, alley, or parking space
A driver’s failure to yield can result from different factors. For example, distracted driving can often take a person’s attention off the road and lead to accidents. The distraction can result from actions such as talking on the phone or texting while driving.
Mechanical defects or issues with a vehicle can also inhibit a driver’s ability to yield. For example, brake failures have the potential to cause a failure to yield accident. Learn more about the potentially responsible parties to a wreck by meeting with our skilled attorneys.
Proving Negligence in a Failure to Yield Crash
Evidence that a driver failed to yield leading up to a Fresno car crash can help prove negligence in a personal injury lawsuit. The specific evidence required to prove negligence will depend on the facts of the case.
The state has several traffic laws in place that stipulate when a driver has the “right-of-way,” or the legal right to proceed ahead of another driver. Some examples of these rules include:
- The driver approaching an intersection must yield to vehicles already in the intersection under Veh. Code § 21800
- Drivers must yield to oncoming traffic when turning left or making a U-turn, according to Veh. Code § 21801
- Drivers entering a highway must yield to all traffic until they can safely proceed under Veh. Code § 21804
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians in designated crosswalks, as required by Veh. Code § 21950
To prove negligence, an injured person must show that the at-fault driver breached their duty of care. If they failed to use reasonable care, state law holds them legally liable for the damages under Cal. Civ. Code § 1714.
When an injured motorist can show that the at-fault driver violated a state traffic law by failing to yield, this evidence can establish that they did not use reasonable care. Evidence can include police reports, witness statements, crash scene analysis, photos, or video footage of the crash. Learn more about establishing liability for a wreck by calling and speaking with a dedicated member of our team.
When Failure to Yield Accidents Cause Death
When a failure to yield car accident leads to an injured victim’s death in Fresno, the state has laws allowing the surviving family or estate to bring a legal claim to recover damages. A decedent’s surviving spouse, domestic partner, child, or grandchildren from any deceased children are eligible to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation on behalf of their loved one.
Additionally, the decedent’s estate can file a survival action to recover compensation for losses or damages suffered by the deceased prior to death, such as hospital bills, lost salary, or funeral costs. Get in touch with our team to learn more about the specific details and requirements for filing a wrongful death claim or survival action.
Connect With a Fresno Attorney After a Failure to Yield Car Accident
At Valero Law Group, our attorneys care about getting you the help you need when you have experienced a failure to yield accident in Fresno. We offer transportation to our firm or we can come speak with you in person.
We are prepared to aggressively fight your case and only accept payment if we win. Please call our firm at any time, to begin working directly with a dedicated advocate.