Legal Consequences for Failure to Yield Right of Way in Michigan and Resultant Accidents

What Is Michigan’s Right-of-Way Law?

The right-of-way law in Michigan provides drivers with clear instructions about yielding in various situations. Personal injury lawyers in Southfield highlight the following scenarios when a driver must yield right of way:

• When passing through intersections: A driver must yield the right of way to the vehicle that has already entered the intersection. If two cars arrive at an intersection at the same time, the driver to the left must yield right of way. 
• When making left turns: A driver must yield the right of way to other motorists approaching from the opposite direction if they are already at the intersection or close enough to pose an immediate hazard. 
• At crosswalks with pedestrians or cyclists: A driver turning at an intersection must yield the right of way to cyclists and pedestrians if they are lawfully within an adjacent crosswalk. 
• When merging onto the highway: When a driver is joining a highway or other roadway, they must yield the right of way to traffic on the road they are attempting to merge into while adjusting their speed to enable them to merge safely. 
• When an emergency vehicle is approaching: Drivers of non-emergency cars must yield to emergency vehicles with their sirens and flashing lights activated by moving as far as possible to the right side of the road and remaining there until the emergency vehicle passes. 
• Approaching or encountering a stationary vehicle with its lights activated: When approaching a stationary truck with its lights activated, a driver shall proceed with caution, reduce their speed, and yield by moving into another lane. 
• At a railroad crossing:  A driver must move at a reasonable speed and yield the right of way when approaching the railroad. 

Unfortunately, some drivers disregard these rules, leading to life-changing consequences. If you or your loved one sustained injuries in an accident because a driver failed to yield the right of way, consult skilled Southfield car accident attorneys. They can help you take legal action to demand compensation for the damages caused by the negligence. 

What Types of Injuries Result from Accidents Due to Failure to Yield the Right of Way?

All types of car accidents can have fatal consequences, and failure-to-yield crashes are no different. Common types of injuries that car accident lawyers in Southfield often witness in these traffic violations include the following:

• Whiplash and spinal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Broken bones 
• Chest injuries 
• Neck injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder 
• Internal organ damage 
• Internal injuries and bleeding 

Some of these injuries can be costly, with the expenses spiraling into several thousands of dollars. Skilled attorneys can help you seek damages from the negligent party to enable you to cover the associated medical costs and related living expenses. 

How Can Fault Be Established in a Failure to Yield Accident?

Before you can pursue compensation, you demonstrate that the defendant was at fault for the accident. There are many legal nuances involved in the process, so it’s crucial to work with experienced car accident attorneys in Southfield to establish the following:

• The defendant had a duty of care while operating their vehicle not to put other road users in danger 
• They failed to abide by this duty and acted recklessly or maliciously, leading to an accident 
• The accident directly caused your injuries 
• You sustained injuries that caused you a certain degree of loss

These four elements form the legal concept of negligence, the foundation of personal injury cases. Your Southfield personal injury lawyers can help you collect the necessary evidence to support your claims. 

They will evaluate the accident’s circumstances, such as traffic signals, road signs, dashcam footage, and witnesses’ testimonies to prove that the driver failed to yield the right of way. 

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Failure to Yield Car Accident?

If you successfully prove your claim, you can obtain economic and non-economic damages from the negligent party:

• Economic damages: These damages compensate you for the medical expenses due to the accident, lost earnings, physical therapy and rehabilitation costs, medical device costs, prescription costs, and surgery expenses. 
• Non-economic damages: They compensate you for the pain and suffering, emotional trauma, fright and shock, disfigurement, denial, and mental distress that you suffer after the accident. 
• Wrongful death: You could file a wrongful death claim if you lost a loved one in the failure to yield accident. The amount compensates you for funeral and burial expenses and the loss of the deceased’s support and companionship. 

The total compensation amount you can recover varies, depending on the case specifics and various factors, such as the severity of your injuries. Experienced car accident lawyers in Southfield can negotiate with the relevant insurance company on your behalf and fight aggressively to ensure you get what you rightfully deserve. 

Navigating The Legal Consequences of Failure to Yield Right of Way Accidents

Drivers who disregard right-of-way rules often cause devastating accidents. Victims usually sustain life-altering injuries, which may be costly to treat and could further become complicated, making life unbearable. If you or your loved one suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, consult car accident lawyers in Southfield for legal counsel. 

The Sigal Law Firm has dedicated personal injury lawyers who can evaluate your case specifics and help you build a strong compensation claim. Our legal team is dedicated, driven, and determined to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Personal injury cases can be intricate, but we know how to navigate the system. Call us at 248-671-6794 to schedule a FREE case assessment.