Many Brookhaven car accidents happen because a driver fails to yield. This type of accident can cost thousands of dollars in damages and disrupt your life. If you or a loved one were victims, you probably have a legal case. A Brookhaven failure to yield accident lawyer can help.
Failure to yield accidents range from minor to deadly. In either case, you have rights. The other driver is responsible for the damage they’ve caused.
At John Foy & Associates, we help accident victims get the money they need. For over 20 years, we’ve helped clients build successful cases and win. Starting as a small law office, we’ve grown to one of the largest firms in Georgia. Let’s discuss your case during a FREE consultation; call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
What “Failure to Yield” Means
If a driver or pedestrian has the right-of-way, everyone else must yield to them. Drivers have to yield when:
- Making a turn
- Changing lanes
- Entering a roadway
- Coming upon an intersection
- At a stop or yield sign
Failure to yield is a traffic violation. If a driver doesn’t yield and causes an accident, they are responsible for the costs. You can file a claim against the driver to recover your damages (Georgia Code §51-12-4).
After a failure to yield accident, document what happened:
- Contact the police to report the crash.
- Take pictures of the scene and your injuries.
- If there were eyewitnesses, ask for their contact information.
Get the strong arm
How Drivers Fail to Yield in Brookhaven
A driver might disobey yield laws for many reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Driver inexperience
- Vehicle defects
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding
Many drivers don’t yield because they aren’t paying attention. Others are driving too recklessly to stop and yield. No matter the reason, a failure to yield accident is dangerous.
Failure to Yield Accident Injuries
Many people can get hurt when a driver doesn’t yield. Other drivers, pedestrians, and car passengers can suffer injuries.
Common failure to yield injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts or scrapes
- Whiplash or other neck injuries
Some injuries are severe enough to cause paralysis or death. If a loved one died in an accident, we are very sorry for your loss. You might be able to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of your loved one. Our lawyers are happy to answer questions that can help your family.
If you have a disability, it might prevent you from working as you could before. You will have lost wages to include in your claim. You can also request money for your lost earning capacity.
Have Your Injuries Treated Soon
See a doctor as soon as possible after your failure to yield accident. Prompt treatment is crucial because:
- You might have injuries that will worsen with time.
- Your doctor will determine all of your treatment needs.
- You’ll need a record of treatment right after the accident.
If you wait too long to see a doctor, it will harm your case. The driver’s insurance company will try to say that you weren’t hurt that badly. You’ll have a harder time proving your injuries.
Georgia Right-of-Way Laws
Georgia Code §40-6-72 covers the state’s yielding laws:
- Stop signs and yield signs show drivers the right-of-way.
- Drivers coming upon a stop sign must stop. After stopping, they must yield to cars already in the intersection or approaching close by on another road.
- Drivers coming upon a yield sign must slow to a reasonable speed for current conditions. If the driver needs to stop, they should. After slowing or stopping, the driver must yield to vehicles in the intersection or approaching closely on another road.
If two drivers get to a four-way stop simultaneously, the driver on the right has the right-of-way.
Drivers must also yield to oncoming cars when turning left. If the driver has a green arrow, they can go if it’s safe.
Yielding laws might be confusing for some drivers. If you’re not sure who was in the wrong, call a Brookhaven lawyer for help. Schedule a FREE consultation with John Foy & Associates to discuss the details. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
What You Can Recover in a Failure to Yield Accident Claim
If you didn’t cause your accident, you have rights. You can file a claim against the other driver to recover your costs. If the driver has insurance, their insurance company is responsible for the damages.
Your claim can include damages like:
- Medical bills
- Medication costs
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Talk to a lawyer for help calculating your costs. Many accident victims do not realize the full value of their case. Your lawyer will consider all damages. They’ll also know how to calculate emotional injuries like pain and suffering.
Never Take the First Settlement Offer
Most drivers in Brookhaven have insurance. After the accident, the driver’s insurance might contact you and offer a quick settlement. Although fast money sounds nice, do not accept the first offer.
Insurance companies care most about their profit. If you get a quick offer, it’s a lowball—it won’t come close to covering your costs. You deserve a settlement that fully covers your accident damages.
Contact a lawyer who can look at all of your damages. Your lawyer will handle the insurance company and negotiate for a better offer.
Our Brookhaven Failure to Yield Accident Lawyers Can Help
Failure to yield accidents are painful, stressful, and expensive. But you shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s mistakes. At John Foy & Associates, we’ll work to get you the fullest recovery possible.
We have built a 20-plus year reputation on being the “Strong Arm.” We are not afraid to stand firm against the insurance company. We don’t back down until we get our clients what they deserve.
We’d love to give you a free consultation to learn more. Contact us today, and let’s discuss your options. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
