All California motorists must be familiar with the word “right of way” and its meaning in the context of traffic. Having the “right of way” means a driver is permitted by law to proceed in the direction they had previously chosen. The right of way varies depending on the circumstances. Hence it is incumbent upon all drivers to be mindful of their surroundings at all times.
It’s easy to cause an accident by not giving way to oncoming traffic. Any injuries or property damage sustained as a result of this is the responsibility of the driver who failed to yield. You may have difficulty showing that another driver’s failure to give the right of way was the cause of an accident in which you or a loved one were involved.
A skilled personal injury lawyer in los angeles who specializes in auto accidents can help you collect the evidence you need to prove that the other driver’s failure to cede the right of way contributed to your accident.
Right of Way Violations: Some Real-World Examples
It is a moving infraction in the state of California to fail to surrender the right of way. A driver’s failure to cede the right of way can cause other cars to take precautions to avoid collisions. Unfortunate others are not so lucky and sustain injuries in incidents caused by various sorts of failure to give the right of way:
At four-way stops, cars must yield to pedestrians in a “first come, first served” fashion. At a junction with two stop signs, the first car to reach its stop sign would go through after coming to a complete stop. This pattern would repeat again until all vehicles have passed through the junction. A collision may occur in the middle of the junction if the vehicle does not yield the right of way.
When the lane to your left is clear, you can make a left turn at some crossings marked with crossing arrows. Left turn yield on green” signs are generally placed next to left-turn arrow signals to remind vehicles to yield to approaching traffic.
Every motorist must stop for emergency vehicles that are flashing their lights and sirens. While driving, if an emergency vehicle suddenly emerges behind you, it’s best to carefully pull over to the side of the road or shift over to provide room for the vehicle to pass.
