Failure to Yield Car Accidents

Maryville Car Accident Lawyer

Failure to yield is a common cause of car accidents in Blount County. Maryville car accident attorney Mark C. Hartsoe has dealt with a variety of car accident cases over the span of his career as a personal injury lawyer. Mr. Hartsoe has helped victims of careless drivers receive compensation for their injuries. If you were injured in an accident because a driver failed to yield, we can help you. Call us today for a free consultation regarding your car accident case.

An aggressive or distracted driver who fails to yield to other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists can cause accidents that lead to serious injuries. Failure to yield is often the result of aggressive driving, such as speeding or disobeying traffic signals. Some drivers may not realize when they have failed to yield, and by the time they do, it’s too late – an accident has happened. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrians in particular need to be careful at intersections where drivers often fail to yield the right-of-way.

Data for failure to yield in Tennessee shows how serious the problem is in the state. In 2012, there were 514 crashes in Blount County alone that were attributed to drivers who failed to yield the right-of-way, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety. The NHTSA reported that failure to yield the right-of-way was a factor for 96 drivers involved in fatal crashes in Tennessee in 2011. It is a leading cause of fatal crashes for drivers under the age of 21 in Tennessee.

Tennessee requires drivers to yield in certain circumstances. For example, drivers must yield when making a left turn at an intersection, merging onto a highway, and to pedestrians at crosswalks. Failure to yield is considered a traffic violation, and the Department of Safety assesses points on a driver’s record for such a violation.

When a violation leads to serious injury, the consequences go beyond a point assessment on a driving record. Drivers in Tennessee are required by law to exercise reasonable care when they operate their vehicles. This includes following the rules of the road, refraining from any aggressive driving, and sharing the road with other motorists. In Tennessee, a driver who fails to yield and causes an accident not only can be found to have violated their duty of care, but also may have committed a crime. The state considers this kind of incident a misdemeanor. As such, the driver can be held accountable under both civil and criminal law for any injuries caused by their negligence.

If you were injured or lost a relative in a failure to yield car accident, you can seek damages for your injuries or loss. You can potentially recover for medical bills, long-term medical care, property damage, and pain and suffering. If you lost a relative, a wrongful death suit against the driver can potentially allow you to recover for funeral and burial expenses and loss of consortium in addition to the medical expenses your loved one incurred as a result of the accident.

Maryville personal injury lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe is prepared to help you if a driver’s failure to yield caused your injuries. Mr. Hartsoe is a seasoned car accident attorney with the experience, knowledge, and skill to help you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries. He will work with you to build your case, negotiate a settlement, and vigorously represent you at trial if necessary. Contact us today at 865-804-1011 or online for a free consultation.