Failure to Yield Injuries

Arizona Accident Lawyers for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way

Many motor vehicle accidents, particularly side-impact collisions, car-pedestrian and car-bicycle accidents, are caused by a failure to yield the right-of-way. Right-of-way refers to the general rules about who goes first when two the paths of two vehicles (or a vehicle and a pedestrian or bicycle) intersect. If an auto accident is caused by a driver's failure to observe the right-of-way rules, that driver is at fault.

If you have been injured by a driver who failed to yield right-of-way, contact Solomon and Relihan. We are Phoenix injury attorneys with more than 30 years experience helping accident victims in Maricopa County and throughout Arizona.

Types of Right-of-Way

Situations in which a driver will be required to yield right-of-way include:

• 3-Way and 4-Way Stop Signs
When two or more cars are stopped at a 3-way or 4-way stop sign, the car that arrived at the stop sign first has the right-of-way. If two cars arrive at the same time, the car on the right has the right-of-way.


• T - Intersections
At T-intersections, vehicles on the continuing street have right-of-way and cars on the terminating street must yield.


• Left Turns
Cars making left turns must always yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic.


• Driveways
Cars exiting from driveways must yield right-of-way to any cars, pedestrians, or bicycles already on the street or sidewalk. The driver should stop before the sidewalk to check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians.


• Crosswalks
Pedestrians should always obey "Walk/Don't Walk" signs in crosswalks. However, drivers should always be aware of crosswalks and yield right-of-way to pedestrians, even if the "Don't Walk" sign is flashing. Drivers making a right turn on a green light should be especially aware of pedestrians in the crosswalk before turning.


• Right Turn on Red
When making a right turn on a red light, a driver must yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk. The vehicle should stay behind the crosswalk until there is no oncoming traffic or pedestrians and it is safe to fully complete the turn.

Contact Solomon & Relihan, Arizona Auto Accident Attorneys

If you were injured by a driver who did not yield right-of-way, you should talk with an experienced attorney. For a free initial consultation with a lawyer, contact our Phoenix law firm by e-mail or by telephone. For your convenience, home and hospital visits are available upon request.