All drivers on the road have a duty to follow traffic laws and conduct themselves in a way that does not cause avoidable harm to pedestrians, cyclists, or other travelers. Unfortunately, some drivers do not always follow the rules and regulations. Inexperience behind the wheel, driving distracted, or simply being in a hurry could lead to damaging auto collisions that cause severe and sometimes life-altering injuries.
If you sustained harm in a failure to yield car accident in St. Louis due to someone else’s careless driving, you might be able to seek compensation for your losses with the help of a trusted car accident attorney. Contact The Law Offices of Kevin J. Roach, LLC today to schedule a consultation to learn more about how our legal team could help you.
Missouri law states that cars must yield to pedestrians or other vehicles that have the right of way. For example, pedestrians have the right of way if they are in a crosswalk, which means drivers must stop or yield to allow them to cross the street safely. Another common scenario is when there is a four-way stop. Everybody is supposed to wait their turn before proceeding forward, and if a driver does not, it can cause a failure to yield accident.
A driver also must also yield to other vehicles when merging onto interstates. The Missouri Revised Statute § 304.351 states that after slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right of way to an automobile in an intersection or approaching another highway. If an individual does not have the right of way and they do not yield to the driver that does, they can be cited by a St. Louis police officer with or without a car crash taking place.
When determining liability for a failure to yield car wreck, one of the first things that is typically considered is who is cited for the violation. Most people assume this involves being given a written ticket. However, an individual can be cited on the police report without ever having received documentation. This makes having qualified legal counsel who can obtain a copy of the accident report vital.
If one driver is cited for failure to yield and the other driver is not cited for anything, that usually means 100 percent liability falls on the person who is listed. However, there are scenarios where both drivers are listed, which can split liability.
In instances where there is not a police report, detailed attorneys can also interview witnesses and, in some instances, are able to obtain surveillance video of the incident. This is especially helpful when an at-fault driver does not want to admit that an accident is their fault and falsely claims to have had the right of way.
Being involved in any type of auto collision is scary. In some instances, you might face permanent injuries, expensive medical bills, lost wages, and emotional damage. If you were injured in a failure to yield car accident in St. Louis, you do not have to shoulder the burden alone.
Reach out to our firm today to schedule a consultation to find out more.
