A driver's failure to properly yield to another vehicle or pedestrian can result in a major accident causing serious bodily injury or even death.
A failure to yield accident is one in which a driver fails to give (yield) the road to the party (other vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian) which has the legal right of way.
These collisions are far too common and are one of the most deadly types of accidents involving pedestrians.
Washington State Failure to Yield Accident Statistics
On average, it's estimated that there are more than 20,000 motor vehicle accidents in Washington state each year that were directly caused by a driver failing to yield right-of way.
Below is a list of some examples of a car accident that may have been caused by at least one driver's failure to properly yield:
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Failing to yield to a bicycle when bicycle has right of way
- Failing to yield to oncoming traffic when making a left turn
- Failing to yield to a pedestrian that has the right of way
- Failing to yield to traffic at a flashing yellow or red light
- Failing to yield to an emergency vehicle.
- Failing to yield to traffic when merging onto a highway
Legal Rights of Victims of Failure to Yield Collisions
Victims of accidents in which the at-fault party failed to yield have the right to compensation under Washington state law. Those injured in failure to yield accidents can recover financial compensation for:
- Property Damage
- Personal Injury
- Lost Wages
- Medical Bills
- Disability
- Wrongful death
In failure to yield collisions the insurance company often tries to persuade the accident victim to give up their legal rights or accept an unfairly low offer. Sometimes the insurance company will even try to scare the victims into thinking that they are actually at fault for the accident because they struck the at-fault driver’s car — even though they legally had the right-of-way.
Washington State Failure to Yield Law
Washington State Law is very specific about yielding under RCW 46.61.190. “…if such a driver is involved in a collision with a vehicle in the intersection or junction of roadways, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, such collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the driver's failure to yield right-of-way.”
“…Preferential right-of-way may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in RCW 47.36.110.” “…shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways.” “…the driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall in obedience to such sign slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and if required for safety to stop…the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another roadway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time such driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways…”
Contact Us For A Free Legal Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a negligent driver who failed to yield to you, it may be in your best interests to consult with the award-winning personal injury lawyers at Davis Law Group in Seattle. We have helped accident victims get the compensation they deserve for more than 25 years.
Call our office at (206) 727-4000 or use the confidential contact form on this page to request a free legal consultation with our qualified legal team. There are no up-front costs and you only owe attorney's fees after your case has been successfully resolved.
