Failure to yield is one of the most common causes of serious traffic accidents in Illinois. Sadly, these crashes leave car accident victims in Geneva little time to react before impact occurs. And these accidents don’t just impact motor vehicle drivers; they can also injure pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, among others.
For example, a driver who fails to yield while turning through a crosswalk may strike a pedestrian lawfully crossing the street. Likewise, drivers who fail to check for bicyclists before turning or opening vehicle doors can cause severe injuries.
Some of the most common causes of failure-to-yield accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired driving
- Poor visibility
- Driver inexperience
In many cases, these collisions are 100% preventable.
Yielding Rules in Illinois
Illinois traffic laws require drivers to yield the right-of-way in certain driving situations to help reduce collisions and maintain safe traffic flow.
Drivers may be required to yield:
- At stop signs and yield signs
- When turning left across traffic
- When entering roadways
- At crosswalks involving pedestrians
- When approaching emergency vehicles
- During certain merging situations
Failing to yield means a driver did not allow another vehicle or person who legally had the right-of-way to proceed safely along the road.
For example, a driver turning left at an intersection must generally yield to oncoming traffic before completing the turn. Similarly, drivers approaching marked crosswalks must often yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway.
These rules are designed to prevent the type of sudden-impact accidents that frequently result in serious injuries.
When Do Failure to Yield Accidents Occur?
Failure-to-yield accidents can happen in many different traffic situations and often involve more than just passenger vehicles. Common examples include:
- Intersection collisions
- Left-turn accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Parking lot collisions
- Highway merge accidents
Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable in failure-to-yield accidents because they have so little physical protection during a collision.
What Injuries Commonly Result From Failure-to-Yield Accidents?
Failure-to-yield accidents often occur at intersections, crosswalks, merge points, and turning lanes where vehicles collide at awkward angles and with little warning. Because victims frequently have little or no time to react before impact, these crashes can cause serious injuries.
Some of the most common injuries associated with failure-to-yield accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Neck and back injuries
- Herniated discs
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Facial injuries
- Soft tissue damage
Pedestrians and cyclists are especially vulnerable in failure-to-yield accidents because they have so little physical protection during a collision.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Failure to Yield Accident?
If another driver caused your accident by failing to yield the right-of-way, you may be entitled to pursue compensation under Illinois personal injury law.
Depending on the circumstances, your compensation award may include money for:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
In most cases, these damages would come from the at-fault drivers insurance company. However, you may be able to pursue a claim with your own insurer in certain circumstances.
The attorneys at Feagans Law Group can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation for your injuries and losses. Call us today for a free consultation.