Failure to Yield Accidents In Washington DC

When behind the wheel of a vehicle, all drivers are required to follow rules of the road, including yielding to others when appropriate. Unfortunately, some drivers act as though they maintain the right of way regardless, and their conduct is dangerous and potentially reckless. According to law, when a driver operates their vehicle in a way that puts others at risk of harm, and a collision and injuries or death result, they can be held liable.

If you or a loved one were severely injured in an accident due to a reckless driver, a local attorney could help you seek compensation. A dedicated DC failure to yield accident lawyer could help navigate the steps to take immediately following a crash to after settlement negotiations. Washington, D.C. car accident lawyer Roger Gelb is known for his ability to hold drivers accountable for causing harm, having secured multi-million dollar recoveries for numerous accident victims. Clients seeking personal communication with their lawyer will be pleased to know they will be in direct communication with Attorney Gelb throughout the legal process. As a recognized leading law firm that focuses on personal injury, Gelb & Gelb proudly helps people throughout the areas of Washington, D.C.

How Can a Driver Be Liable For an Accident?

One of the most common types of car accidents is a failure to yield collision. When there is a failure to yield, one of the vehicles, usually the defendant’s vehicle, would have an obligation to yield to oncoming traffic. A yield sign instructs drivers to yield to others driving on the road or those already in the favored lane of traffic.

All drivers owe a duty to others on the road to drive with reasonable care. When they fail to do so and this breach of duty leads to an accident involving injuries, the responsible driver can be deemed negligent and held responsible for monetary damages. Failing to yield when appropriate, as signaled by a “yield” sign or when turning left, can be an example of a driver breaching their duty to drive safely in the context of a negligence claim.

Failure to yield accidents can occur on highways or on sidewalks, such as when a car fails to yield the right of way to a pedestrian. In some situations the driver may disregard a flashing red or yellow light, or a driver can fail to yield to oncoming traffic when turning left, causing a sideswipe collision. In all of these situations, those hurt by the driver’s actions are entitled to pursue a claim for damages against the at-fault driver.

What Constitutes The Right-Of-Way?

The right-of-way is the vehicle that the favored lane has the right-of-way. The vehicle that does not have to yield has the right-of-way. There may be a police report that may have additional information that may corroborate the who had the right of way. Also, independent witnesses may be able to corroborate the claim. Passengers or others involved in the crash who saw the accident would also be beneficial. A DC failure to yield accident lawyer could investigate the incident and determine how the collision occurred.

Damages

Damages that may be recovered following a failure to yield accident can be both economic and non-economic, and are intended to compensate the victim for all losses that stem from the collision. Income not received due to missed work may be included, as can medical bills and out of pocket expenses. Vocational rehabilitation may be required to address injuries that interfere with your occupation, and these expenses can be included in a damages assessment. Additionally, pain and suffering may be recovered by the injured individual.

The central issue when bringing a personal injury claim for damages is assessing fault. For this reason, it is important to understand that speaking to the other party’s insurer after a car accident may affect your ability to prove damages in your case. Any admissions you make may be relied upon as evidence by the insurer when negotiating and potentially litigating the case. A skilled attorney can help you understand your legal rights and obligations.

Statute of Limitations in a Failure to Yield Accident Case

If you have suffered injuries in a failure to yield or other type of accident, the court will entertain your case only if it is filed within a certain period. Statutes of limitations are the period of time within which an individual must take legal action. If this cutoff is missed, then the defendant may rely on the statute of limitations as a defense against the lawsuit. If the statute of limitations has expired, the court may dismiss your case.

Typically, the time begins to count toward this deadline when the claim arises. Known as the “cause of action,” this is the moment from which the plaintiff may bring the lawsuit. Different states maintain different time periods. For example, the District of Columbia requires that actions for personal injury be brought within three years.

Washington, D.C. Lawyer for Car Accident Victims

Insurance companies are notorious for offering minimal settlements to accident victims in order to keep higher profits. Often, this leads to the victim receiving less compensation than they may be entitled to recover. Knowledgeable personal injury attorney Roger Gelb has spent years successfully building cases on behalf of people hurt or killed by careless or negligent drivers. Throughout the areas of Washington, D.C., people injured in vehicle collisions, slip and falls, and other accidents have received efficient and effective legal representation from Roger Gelb. While working on your behalf, our office will keep you apprised of your claim, providing direct communication with Attorney Gelb throughout the process. Contact us today to learn more about your case. We can be reached by phone at (202) 331-7227 or online.