Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers | October 16, 2024 | Car Accident
Georgia’s right-of-way laws define who is allowed to go first at stop signs, traffic lights, and other situations when motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians interact. Your personal injury attorney in Sandy Springs invites you to learn these rules in driver’s ed and get tested on when to yield to obtain a license. Still, many drivers get it wrong or don’t pay attention, and the failure to yield often leads to car crashes.
Here’s what Sandy Springs drivers should know about right-of-way laws.
Sandy Spring’s Right-Of-Way Rules
In traffic law, “right of way” refers to the lawful right to enter a roadway. As in all states, Sandy Springs yielding rules apply to motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
With so many right-of-way rules to remember, it’s a good idea to refresh the mind occasionally on when one must yield for someone else to go first. Some of the most important rules cover intersections, yield signs, and vehicles with special permission.
Intersections
Every year, about 25% of traffic fatalities and approximately 50% of traffic injuries in the United States occur at intersections. Drivers can reduce the risk of causing a crash by knowing who has the right of way at a stop sign or traffic light.
When there’s no sign or light, the right of way goes to the driver on the left. If only one road has a stop sign, the traffic without a sign has the right of way.
At a four-way stop sign intersection, these rules apply:
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians.
- The driver who arrives first goes first.
- If two drivers arrive at the same time, the motorist on the right has the right of way.
- If a driver takes another driver’s turn, they must be yielded to.
Car accidents frequently occur at four-way stop intersections. This is often because drivers forget the rules or are too distracted to see signs.
Yield Signs And Merging
When presented with a yield sign or a merging situation, the rules are as follows:
- At a yield sign, the driver must be ready to stop and then proceed when it’s safe.
- If in a merging lane, the driver must slow down and maneuver to merge with traffic.
- When traffic merges into a motorist’s lane, the motorist must change lanes or slow down to allow the vehicle to merge.
At a traffic light that allows a right-hand turn when the light is red, the driver must make a full stop before turning and should only turn when it’s safe to do so.
With right turns on red, drivers must stay vigilant of pedestrians crossing at crosswalks. As reported by the Associated Press, a study revealed that these turns increase the chances of pedestrian-involved accidents by up to 89%.
Vehicles With Special Permission
In a few situations, certain types of vehicles must be afforded special right-of-way authority. They include emergency vehicles, maintenance vehicles, and school buses.
Drivers must pull over for emergency vehicles with their flashing lights activated and not proceed until the vehicle has passed. Motorists must also yield to maintenance vehicles in construction zones.
When approaching a school bus with its flashing yellow light activated, drivers must slow down and be ready to stop. If the flashing lights are red and the bus is stopped, cars must not pass the bus. However, if a highway is divided by a median, vehicles traveling in the lane opposite direction don’t need to stop. But they must stay aware of children crossing the roadway.
What To Do After A Crash Involving Failure To Yield
All drivers have a legal duty to yield the right of way to other drivers and pedestrians as set forth by the law in Sandy Springs. Failing to yield is a type of negligence, and it can result in tragic crashes that cause serious injuries or death. Victims who suffer injuries in crashes involving failure to yield may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for the losses they incurred because of the accident. Consulting an experienced injury attorney is vital for understanding your legal options after such a crash.
Contact the Sandy Springs Car Accident Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers Today
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
We proudly serve Fulton County and Clayton County, GA, and its surrounding areas:
Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
200 Sandy Springs Place NE, Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 255-9000