When a driver doesn’t yield correctly on Sandy Springs roads, they put themselves and everyone else at risk. If you suffered injuries because of a failure to yield, you might deserve compensation. Thankfully, a Sandy Springs failure to yield accident lawyer can help fight for your rights.
An accident can leave you with medical costs, lost income, and other losses. Understandably, these factors can derail many important aspects of your life. But you shouldn’t have to bear the costs of another driver’s mistakes.
At John Foy & Associates, we fight for accident victims throughout Georgia. As one of the largest injury firms in the area, we know what it takes to win cases. To learn your options during a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Failure to Yield Laws in Sandy Springs, GA
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) has several laws for drivers to yield the right-of-way. If a driver violates one of these laws, they have been negligent.
Approaching or Entering Intersection
According to OCGA §40-6-70, drivers must yield when coming upon an intersection. If two cars approach at the same time, the left driver should yield to the right driver. If the intersection has a light or a stop sign, the driver who approaches first has the right-of-way.
Turning Left
Drivers should yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction when waiting to turn left into:
- An intersection
- An alley
- A driveway
- A private road
Stopping and Yielding
According to OCGA §40-6-72, a driver stopped at a stop sign should yield to other traffic already in the road or intersection. The driver should also yield to traffic that’s close enough to become a hazard.
When coming upon a yield sign, drivers should slow down “to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions.” Drivers should also stop if needed to be safe.
Entering a Road
When about to enter or cross a road, a driver should yield to all vehicles approaching on that road.
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Establishing Liability for a Failure to Yield Accident
The at-fault driver in an accident is responsible for the damages. In a failure to yield accident, one or more drivers could be at fault. Examples of failing to yield include:
- Turning left in front of oncoming cars
- Not stopping or pulling over for an emergency vehicle
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Failing to yield at a yield sign
- Merging without checking for other vehicles
- Not using a turn signal before changing lanes or merging
If you were injured in an accident, you’ll need to determine who was at fault. Most failure to yield accidents require investigation into the cause of the accident. You must know how the other driver was responsible for the crash that injured you.
A driver might be distracted, drunk, or driving recklessly when the accident occurred. If you work with a lawyer, they can start investigating immediately. From there, a lawyer can help you build a strong personal injury case.
Partial Fault in an Auto Accident
Georgia uses a partial fault system when it comes to accidents. If an injured driver is less than 50% at fault, they can still recover damages. So, if you are worried about being partly at fault, you probably still have compensation rights.
If you were partially at fault, your damages would be reduced based on your percentage of fault. If you were 50% or greater at fault, the courts would bar you from recovering anything.
Most of the time, another driver is fully responsible for a failure to yield accident. Before assuming anything, consult with an experienced lawyer in Sandy Springs. To go over your accident and your options, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 for a free consultation.
Common Examples of Failure to Yield Accidents
Reasons that a driver might fail to yield include:
- Texting while driving
- Other types of distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Daydreaming
- Talking to passengers
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Road rage
- Being in a hurry
No matter the reason, there is no good excuse for failing to yield. Not yielding can lead to T-bone crashes, rollover accidents, and other dangerous collisions. Victims can suffer severe injuries or death.
Time Is Limited to Seek Compensation
Don’t wait to get help after your accident. In Sandy Springs, you usually only have two years to seek compensation. In some cases, you have much less time. Either way, you will need to spend time building a case and fight for what you deserve.
Waiting too long to get started can really hurt your case. It might also prevent you from recovering anything at all. To make sure everything is on track, contact a failure to yield accident lawyer for help.
If a loved one died in an accident, you might have a wrongful death case. Talk to a lawyer to find out who can file a claim and what damages you can collect. A legal case can never undo what happened, but it can help a family recover costs and start to heal.
How to Handle the Insurance Companies
You can seek compensation by filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company. However, the insurance company won’t make this easy for you. Insurance companies often use tactics like:
- Blaming you for the accident
- Downplaying your injuries and other damages
- Questioning or denying your claim
- Offering you a lowball settlement
- Asking you to give a recorded statement
Do not trust the insurance company or the adjuster. Even if they seem to care about your situation, they’re not on your side. Before accepting any money or giving any statements, contact a failure to yield accident lawyer.
An experienced lawyer can handle the insurance company for you. If you get a lowball offer, your lawyer will negotiate to fight for a fair settlement. Instead of settling for much less, a lawyer can give you the best chance at a full financial recovery.
Reach Out to a Failure to Yield Accident Lawyer in Sandy Springs Today
Failure to yield accidents can affect victims and their families in huge ways. But you don’t have to face the aftermath of the accident alone. Our failure to yield accident lawyers know what it takes to fight for full compensation.
At John Foy & Associates, we have 20-plus years of experience helping accident victims seek justice. Our lawyers are not afraid to fight for the outcome we know you deserve. You don’t have to pay us a thing unless we win your case, and the consultation is completely free.
To schedule a free, no-risk consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
