Failure to Yield Chicago Bicycle Accidents
No motorist always has the right of way when driving. Even so, many drivers operate their vehicles as though they do. In fact, every motorist on the roadway has the legal responsibility to obey federal, state and regional driving laws and the rules of the road to ensure the safety of everyone around them. This includes giving the right-of-way to every other driver under specific circumstances to avoid failure to yield accidents.
Causes of Accidents
Bicycle Injuries
Victim Resources
Failing to yield collisions happen when drivers neglect to provide the right-of-way to others when appropriate in an effort to avoid a crash. Many of these accidents occur at locations that have a flashing red or yellow light, or when motorists make left-hand turns and do not provide the right-of-way to approaching traffic. Other times, these crashes involve:
- A driver aggressively merging onto the highway.
- Motorists backing into the street from a private driveway.
- Drivers failing to provide the right-of-way to pedestrians already in the crosswalk.
- Motorist operating their vehicle while distracted, fatigued or intoxicated.
- A driver failing to yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist making a right or left turn.
- Drivers failing to come to a complete stop at stop signs and continuing through the intersection before bicycles and approaching vehicles have turned right or left.
Statistics maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicate that failing to yield the right-of-way was a major factor in causing traffic accidents that took more than 3000 lives in 2011.
When Motorists Must Yield to Bicyclists
While streets and intersections vary greatly, there are usually specific circumstances where motorists is required to yield to other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians sharing the road. Yielding is usually clearly marked by street signs and traffic signals. However, there are common specific circumstances where the expectation to yield is required even if no signage is posted. Some of these locations include:
- At a four-way intersection.
- Whenever a pedestrian is in the crosswalk.
- Whenever the vehicle enters a busy road from a driveway or private lane.
- Any time the vehicle merges onto the road from an off ramp.
- Whenever the vehicle makes a turn.
- Any time emergency vehicles are approaching with lights and/or sirens on.
Four-way intersections tend to make motorists especially confused, even those that have been driving for years. Often times, drivers will come to a quick stop and then proceed illegally, without providing the right-of-way to others on the roadway.
Accidents Resulting When Drivers Fail to Yield to Bicyclists
Motorists frequently fail to yield the right-of-way to bicyclists, especially when making right turns. This is often the result of the bicyclist not following specific rules of the road including riding their bike as far right as possible when making a right turn or staying in the riding lane when approaching the intersection in the direction they wish to continue.
Most failure to yield accidents involving bicycles often result in catastrophic injuries. This is because bicyclists have virtually no protection when involved in a traffic collision and often suffer tragic injuries including:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Broken bones and fractures
- Lacerations, scrapes, cuts and bruises
- Spinal cord injury
- Organ damage
- Severed limbs
- Wrongful death
Chicago bike accident lawyers know all too well of the extensive medical care accident victims will require to fully heal. In some cases, failing to yield the right-of-way accidents leave the injured party with lifelong impairments including paralysis.
Holding Driver Legally Accountable For Failure to Yield Bike Crashes in Chicago
Any motorist who harms another because they failed to yield the right-of-way or engaged in other reckless, negligent or careless behavior can be held legally accountable. This is because every driver is required provide a reasonable level of care and safety to avoid the potential of injuring others. When accidents are caused by motorists failing to yield, the parties at fault are usually legally liable for all associated costs, expenses, damages and losses.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers know that two of the leading factors of failing to yield accidents are distracted driving or other negligent action. Our team of reputable attorneys have years of substantial experience in representing seriously injured vehicle accident victims. We serve as a legal advocate to ensure the injured party recovers damages involving economic and non-economic expenses including hospital bills, the cost of future medical care, property damage, emotional distress, pain and suffering.