Failure to yield collisions can lead to devastating consequences. Road safety depends on all users being aware of the risks and taking the necessary precautions. To recover damages after an accident caused by failure to yield, you might need a car accident attorney specializing in failure-to-yield crash cases.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, failure to yield the right-of-way was associated with 7% of all fatal car accidents in 2016 — that’s 3,659 deaths. Thus, drivers must be aware of and follow traffic laws to protect themselves and others. This article will discuss the types of failure-to-yield collisions and guide motorists on how to avoid potential danger.
Types of Failure to Yield Car Accidents
The following are three types of failure-to-yield accidents you need to be aware of:
T-Bone Accident
T-bone collisions, or side-impact accidents, occur when one vehicle fails to yield and proceeds into the intersection or stop sign of another car. This results in a T shaped formation upon the impact of the two vehicles. These accidents are especially dangerous for the drivers involved in the collision due to a possible direct impact on their side from negligent drivers running red lights at full speed. Both drivers must be aware of their surroundings to prevent this type of accident.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe collisions are quite common on roadways and are often caused by drivers who fail to yield. These accidents occur when one car strikes another, both moving in the same direction, side-by-side. Such mishaps can occur when drivers turn without checking their blind spots or appropriately yielding at highway entrances. They can also result from drifting out of the lane and crashing into another vehicle.
Head-On Collision
Head-on collisions are an incredibly hazardous type of accident when two vehicles traveling in opposite directions crash into each other. These can be due to unsafe passing or failing to yield at a stop sign or intersection, or when a driver dozes off behind the wheel and moves into oncoming traffic. These collisions can cause severe and sometimes fatal injuries, making them among the most alarming roadway incidents.
Five Tips to Avoid a Failure to Yield Accident
These tips can help keep you safe and help you avoid failure to yield accidents:
- Focus: Distractions like using your phone while driving, putting on makeup, or eating can impair your ability to spot other vehicles that might not yield. Keep your eyes on the road and pay attention to what’s happening around you.
- Take it slow: Driving slower gives you more time to react if another driver fails to yield properly. When approaching an intersection, maintaining a sane speed reduces the severity of any impact from drivers not following the right-of-way rules.
- Be alert: Consider what others may do in an intersection rather than assuming that drivers know the right-of-way rules. Always be ready for the worst-case scenario and be prepared to take evasive action if needed.
- Use caution: Regardless of whether you have the right of way, always check your surroundings when entering an intersection. Pedestrians or cyclists may break traffic laws at any time. Proceeding with caution at intersections will increase the chances of avoiding an accident or reducing its severity if it still happens.
- Stop at lights and signs: Don’t risk running a red light. Always obey traffic signals and come to a complete stop at reds, yellows, and stop signs.
Conclusion
Serious injuries may occur in a failure-to-yield car accident. Knowing the potential types of these accidents, such as head-on collisions or sideswipes, is important in taking steps to lessen the risk of an accident. Defensive driving, avoiding distractions while on the road, and adhering to traffic signals are ways drivers can remain alert and safe.