When Is a Green Light Not a Green Light?
A green traffic light means that you have the right of way to proceed through the intersection, right? Well, the answer is actually “sometimes.” A green traffic light does mean that you have the right of way to move through the intersection in most cases but not in all cases. For example, if a pedestrian is cross the crosswalk in front of you, regardless of whether he or she has the right-of-way, you must stop.
Another example is turning left on a green light. You do have the right-of-way over the drivers who have the red light; however, you do not have the right-of-way over oncoming traffic. If you turn left in front of another vehicle and cause an accident, you will be charged for the accident. Even if you have the green light, you should always look before proceeding into an intersection, especially if you intend to make a left-hand turn.
Failure To Yield The Right-Of-Way Accidents
One of the most common causes of traffic accidents is a failure to yield the right-of-way. Examples of accidents caused by failing to yield include:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Left-hand turn accidents
- Disregarding yield signs
- Merging onto the highway or interstate
- Four-way stops
- Exiting a side street or parking lot
In most cases, the driver who fails to yield the right of way is responsible for compensating the other driver for damages. Damages in a failure to yield the right-of-way car accident include:
- Medical expenses, including future medical treatments and costs
- Lost wages, including future lost wages and any loss of earning capacity
- Property damage, including personal property damaged inside the vehicle because of the collision
- Permanent disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement
- Emotional suffering, mental anguish, and physical pain and discomfort
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Travel expenses and other out-of-pocket costs such as long-term personal care
The damages will be specific to your accident claim; therefore, you may be entitled to damages in addition to the damages listed above.
Do I Need A Fresno Personal Injury Attorney?
You may think that if a driver pulls out in front of you that it is a “slam dunk” accident case, so you do not need to hire a Fresno personal injury attorney. This is not always true. An insurance company tries to lower the amount of money it must pay on your claim in any way that it can. One way is to blame you for the accident. But it was a failure to yield the right-of-way case! How can I be at fault?
The insurance company may not prove you caused the accident; however, it may be able to convince a jury you contributed to the accident. If you contributed to the accident, you would not receive full compensation for your damages. For example, if you were speeding as you entered the intersection, the company claims you contributed to the severity of the accident. On the other hand, if you were on your cell phone as a vehicle pulled out in front of you from a parking lot, the insurance company may argue you were distracted and could have avoided the accident.
Call A Fresno Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a traffic accident, you need an experienced Fresno personal injury attorney on your side from the very beginning. To discuss your case, call Torem & Associates at (888) 500-5000. You may also chat with a representative online or use our convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
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