Many auto accidents are caused by drivers who fail to properly yield. Although proving fault in this type of accident can be difficult, it is definitely possible. The first step in proving that another driver failed to yield caused your car accident is having a solid grasp of New York’s right-of-way laws. In this article, we discuss New York’s right-of-way laws and how to prove that another driver failed to yield caused an accident.
Right-of-Way Laws in New York
To prove that a driver failed to yield caused your accident, you first must demonstrate that he or she failed to abide by one or more of the following right-of-way laws.
Vehicle approaching or entering an intersection: A driver who is approaching an intersection must yield the right of way to any vehicles that have already entered the intersection from another road. When two vehicles reach an intersection at approximately the same time, the driver on the left must yield the right of way to the right-side driver.
Vehicle turning left: A driver who is getting ready to turn left into an intersection, driveway, private road, or alley must yield the right of way to any oncoming vehicles that present an immediate hazard.
Vehicle entering a stop intersection: A motorist who enters an intersection with a stop sign is required to stop and yield the right of way to any vehicle that enters the intersection from another road. Such a driver must also stop and yield to a vehicle that is so close to entering the intersection from another road that it poses a danger.
Vehicle entering a yield intersection: A driver who is approaching a yield sign must slow down to a speed that is appropriate under existing conditions or, if necessary, he or she must stop.
Vehicle entering roadway: A driver who is about to either enter or cross a roadway must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic unless he or she is entering from another roadway.
Vehicle approaching island or traffic circle: A motorist who is approaching or about to enter an island or a traffic circle must yield the right of way to vehicles that are already traveling in it.
How to Prove Fault
Proving that another driver failed to yield caused your accident can be difficult. However, when you hire an attorney to represent you, your odds of success improve significantly. Therefore, if you’ve been injured due to another driver’s failure to yield, the best way to prove that he or she failed to abide by one or more of the above laws is to contact a traffic accident attorney for assistance.
Contact a Traffic Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hurt in an accident in New York, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. At the Law Offices of Frank J. Dito, Jr., we represent automobile accident victims in Brooklyn and Staten Island. When you come to us for assistance, we’ll do everything in our power to ensure that your case is successful. Please contact us today to schedule a free consultation.