Traffic laws exist to protect drivers, bicyclists, motorcycle riders, and pedestrians on the road. When a motorist disregards these laws, they can cause devastating harm.
Failure-to-yield car accidents in Olive Branch often leave innocent bystanders with severe physical injuries, steep medical bills, and loss of income during recovery. With the help of a determined car accident attorney such as David E. Gordon, you may be able to recover some of those costs through a personal injury lawsuit.
Failure to Yield Traffic Laws
Right-of-way traffic laws are governed by Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-801 et seq., where the state outlines who is required to yield when multiple vehicles approach the same intersection. For example, Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-801 explains that if drivers coming from different roads simultaneously arrive at an intersection, the driver to the left must yield to the other vehicle. A driver who fails to yield may crash into cars that are correctly exercising their right of way.
Collisions between cars are not the only risks when a driver fails to yield; pedestrians and cyclists can also be placed in harm’s way by negligent drivers. While pedestrians have a responsibility to follow crosswalks and traffic signals, Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1103 requires drivers to yield to people who are crossing the street, and Miss. Code Ann. § 63-3-1112 states that motorists must take due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and cyclists on the road.
In Olive Branch, most failure-to-yield car accidents can be attributed to a driver’s negligence––a motorist had a responsibility to follow the rules of the road, but they neglected that responsibility and, in doing so, caused harm to another person. A knowledgeable attorney can offer more specific guidance on local right-of-way laws and how they may impact a specific injury claim.
Pursuing Full Compensation From a Driver Who Failed to Yield
State law, pursuant to Miss. Code § 63-3-11, allows an injured person to bring a civil lawsuit for damages experienced because of a driver’s negligence. State courts do not put a cap on economic damages, so a plaintiff who wins their lawsuit can collect compensation for all the measurable costs associated with their injuries. Non-economic damages, such as mental anguish or pain and suffering, may be subject to a monetary limit.
State law follows the doctrine of comparative fault, meaning the court can adjust the amount of compensation awarded in a personal injury trial if the injured person contributed in some way to causing their damages. Per Miss. Code Ann. § 11-7-15, a plaintiff who shares some responsibility for the accident may still win a judgment over the defendant, but the amount they receive may be decreased based on their percentage of fault. For this reason, people injured in a failure-to-yield car crash should work with an Olive Branch attorney who knows what it takes to maximize available compensation.
Contact an Olive Branch Attorney After a Failure-to-Yield Car Accident
When you have been injured because of a driver’s failure to yield the right of way, you should not have to deal with consequences on your own. You may have a case for a personal injury negligence lawsuit, and a successful claim could help you recover your financial losses.
Working with an attorney who has experience with failure-to-yield car accidents in Olive Branch could help you improve your chances of getting the compensation you need. Call the Law Office of David E. Gordon today to learn more.
