As drivers, we have a duty to understand when we have the right of way and to yield to other road users when we do not. That isn’t just common courtesy – it’s the law. When a driver fails to yield and causes an accident as a result, they can be held liable for the harm they cause others. That includes medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.
If you’ve been injured because someone else didn’t yield when they should have, the team at Marks & Harrison wants to hear from you. For over 100 years, our firm has advocated for the rights and interests of accident victims in Washington DC and the surrounding regions, helping our clients get the money they need to get their lives back on track. We’re ready to put everything we’ve learned over that century of legal advocacy to work on your behalf, and we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case.
So don’t miss your chance to demand fair compensation. Contact Marks & Harrison for a free initial case review with a Washington DC failure to yield accident lawyer, and let’s discuss your legal options right away.
When Must You Yield the Right of Way?
Under the Washington DC Municipal Regulations, drivers must yield the right of way in specific circumstances or when making certain maneuvers between intersections.
Here are some critical yield rules to be aware of:
- When emerging from an alley, building, private road, or driveway – Drivers must stop before driving onto a sidewalk area or at the point nearest to the street where the driver can view approaching traffic.
- When crossing a sidewalk or sidewalk area – Drivers must yield to pedestrians or other traffic using the sidewalk.
- When entering or crossing a road from an alley or any other non-roadway – Drivers must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the road.
- When leaving a public road by turning left between intersections – Drivers must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction close enough to be an immediate hazard.
- When approaching from the rear or the lane next to a transit bus – Drivers must yield to the bus when it signals its intention to reenter traffic.
At intersections, right-of-way rules require the following:
- When two vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different roadways simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield the right of way to the driver on the right.
- Drivers intending to turn left shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction when close enough to be an immediate hazard.
- Drivers approaching a stop sign must stop at the marked stop line, before entering the crosswalk, or at the closest point to the intersecting roadway to give the driver a view of approaching traffic.
- After stopping at a stop sign, drivers must yield the right of way to any traffic in the intersection, traffic approaching on another roadway that poses an immediate hazard, or pedestrians crossing the intersection or roadway.
- Drivers must slow down when approaching a yield sign and stop for any traffic or pedestrians in the intersection or roadway.
- Drivers approaching a traffic circle must yield to traffic in the circle unless otherwise directed by a police officer or traffic control device.
- Drivers entering a freeway via an access ramp must yield to traffic on the freeway.
- Motorists must wait for pedestrians who start crossing on the “Walk” signal.
- When there aren’t any working traffic signals, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing in marked crosswalks or unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
What Are Common Causes of Failure to Yield Accidents?
Drivers may fail to yield when required by law for various reasons, including:
- Speeding
- Tailgating, or following too closely
- Reckless driving, including excessive speeding or swerving through traffic
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Drowsy driving
- Failure to signal or check mirrors
- Disobeying stop and yield signs or traffic control devices
- Misjudging the distance or speed of oncoming traffic
- Driver inexperience or unfamiliarity with traffic rules
What Types of Accidents Can Be the Result of Failure to Yield?
A driver who fails to yield the right of way when required to risks causing accidents like:
- Head-on collisions – A driver who turns left in front of oncoming traffic immediately in front of the driver’s vehicle may cause a head-on collision.
- Sideswipe collisions – Sideswipes can occur when motorists disobey right-of-way rules when merging into a traffic circle or freeway.
- T-bone accidents/side-impact collisions – Failing to stop or yield when required at intersections can lead to T-bone collisions – crashes where the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another.
- Rear-end collisions – Drivers who enter a traffic circle or freeway in front of an approaching vehicle without first getting up to speed could be rear-ended by an approaching driver who’s unable to slow down in time.
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents – Drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks or around bicycle lanes risk colliding with vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists.
Who Is At Fault in a Washington DC Failure to Yield Accident?
In most cases, a driver who violates DC’s right of way regulations will bear fault for a subsequent traffic accident. For example, a driver who doesn’t wait for traffic to clear before turning left on a green light could be held responsible for a resulting collision. However, other factors may affect liability in a failure to yield accident. An experienced failure-to-yield accident lawyer can review your case and determine who is at fault for the collision. Contact our Washington DC car accident lawyer today.
Does Washington DC Have a Time Limit for Filing a Failure to Yield Lawsuit?
Under the DC Code, you typically have three years to file a lawsuit after a failure to yield accident. This may seem like plenty of time, but your lawyer needs as much time as possible to build a solid case for you. Don’t jeopardize your claim by waiting too long – contact a lawyer today.
Contact a Washington DC Failure to Yield Accident Lawyer
Were you hurt in an accident caused by a driver who didn’t yield? Then contact Marks & Harrison today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Washington DC failure to yield accident attorney to discuss your next steps. Our Washington DC personal injury lawyer will help you.
