Right-of-way laws tell Wyoming drivers who has to stop at an intersection and who can proceed first.
These laws are in place to help keep people safe but also to help assign fault when an accident occurs.
These laws don’t say specifically who has the right of way, only who must yield to others in certain circumstances. If you are involved in an accident where the other party failed to yield the right of way, you are entitled to seek compensation.
Here’s what you need to know about your failure to yield right of way accident.
Causes of Failure to Yield Right of Way Accidents
There are situations where a driver may not pay attention or practice safe driving. If this behavior is a failure to yield resulting in an accident, it can cause injury and damage.
Intersection Mistakes
Intersections that have no signals or traffic signs can cause confusion for drivers. When no signals are present, the first vehicle to the intersection gets the right of way. After that, you should yield to any vehicles on your right.
If you are looking to turn in an intersection with no markers, always yield to through traffic. If you are approaching a roundabout, all traffic already in the circle has the right of way.
Emergency Vehicles
Most drivers know to slow down and pull over for emergency vehicles. If you are in an intersection, keep driving until you have cleared it and can safely pull over.
Yielding to Pedestrians
Pedestrians are extra vulnerable to serious injury or death in a car accident. They always have the right of way in crosswalks (marked or unmarked), even if you are making a right turn on red. And while it is illegal to jaywalk, if you can safely stop or yield to avoid hitting someone, you should do so.
Compensation for Failure to Yield Car Accidents
If you are injured due to someone’s failure to yield or give the right of way, you are entitled to compensation for your losses. Standard compensation includes medical costs, lost wages, and damage to personal property (in this case, usually your vehicle).
In some circumstances, a severely injured person may also get damages for pain and suffering, emotional and psychological trauma, and other losses.
Most of the time, a claim is settled without further legal proceedings. But if you believe that the at-fault driver’s insurance company isn’t offering you a fair settlement amount, it is time to contact a personal injury attorney.
A lawyer can tell you if you should file a lawsuit, negotiate on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Injured in a Failure to Yield Right of Way Accident? Reach Out to a Casper Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you are injured due to another driver’s negligence in Wyoming, Platte River Injury Law is here for you.
We handle personal injury cases in Casper and throughout the state and will always make sure our clients get personal attention and aggressive advocacy.
Don’t let the bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to fairly compensate you for your losses.
Call us at 307-215-9724 , or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation today.