In Las Vegas, motor vehicle accidents can occur for any number of reasons. Many of these unnecessary accidents happen when one driver fails to properly yield to another driver or pedestrian.
The rules of the road as it relates to when a driver should yield are very clear. However, because some drivers do not understand the laws, they will argue that they actually had the right of way. We have written this article to help everyone better understand when they do or do not have the right of way.
Required Yield Situations
Drivers are typically required by the law to yield when the following situations arise:
· Before making a right-hand or left-hand turn (unless you have a green arrow)
· For pedestrians in crosswalks (until they completely exit the cross walk)
· When merging from a ramp or smaller road (particularly when there is a triangular yield sign posted)
· Entering a street from a driveway or private drive
· When you hear an emergency vehicle siren
Failure to Yield
The failure to yield typically leads to broadside car accidents. These are accidents where the front of a car strikes the side of another car. Broadside (or t-bone) accidents are some of the most dangerous car accidents that can occur on the Las Vegas roadways.
Impacts from the side (typically on the door) usually have much less built in protection for passengers than front or rear-end collisions. Most cars on the road today have crumple zones build into the front and back of the car. Modern vehicles may have air bags on the sides of cars but even an air bag cannot prevent serious injury when the collision occurs at a high rate of speed.
Even worse, pedestrians who are struck by a driver to fails to yield have little to no protections against the collision. Pedestrians who are in crosswalks when a driver strikes them because they didn’t yield often suffer devastating and life altering injuries.
Negligent Driving
The failure to yield is typically the cause of a car accident and when this is true, the driver who did not yield is then responsible for every injury and piece of property damage that was the result of the failure to yield. The person who was struck by the person who failed to yield can then sue the negligent driver for damages (money) to compensate them for any number of reasons. Typical damages include medical bills, lost income, vocational rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and disfigurement.
What You Can do if Hit by a Non-Yielding Driver
If you are able, take a lot of photographs of the scene. If not, try to ask someone to take photographs for you. Also, do your best to get the contact and insurance information from the other driver.
Next, you should contact your lawyer and your insurance company as soon as possible. A great Las Vegas personal injury attorney will give you the guidance you need to recover from this terrible situation as quickly as possible. A great attorney will know how to protect your rights and help you get the financial compensation you need.
To speak with one of the award winning attorneys at Pickard Parry Pfau, please call us at 702-879-9555 or click here to schedule a free consultation. We will be happy to give you the advice and help you need.