When people get behind the wheels of vehicles, they need to be able to make many different decisions between the location in which they start and their destination. These decisions must all be correct in order to ensure that they can avoid crashes. However, that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that other motorists will make the wrong decisions that lead to collisions and the resulting harm. One of the most common mistakes that motorists make with regards to these decisions involve the yielding of the right-of-way. Too many people are injured and killed because of this specific mistake.
Below you will find a brief overview of the statistics that relate to New York car accidents that were caused by at least one of the motorists failing to yield the right-of-way to someone else. You will also find information regarding how and why this mistake would constitute negligence if someone who is injured in this type of a crash seeks legal remedies. Anyone who has been harmed as a result of a negligent driver needs to obtain the help of experienced New York accident lawyers as soon as possible.
New York Car Accident Statistics – Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles tracks and keeps the statistics regarding all different types of New York car accidents. One of the specific types of crashes that is recorded by the state concerns those crashes that are caused by the failure to yield the right-of-way. According to the state, more than 42,000 of these accidents occur on an annual basis across New York. Nearly half of these crashes, or almost 21,000, lead to at least one serious injury. Finally, more than 20 of these collisions lead to at least one fatality.
Failure to yield the right-of-way can arise in several different situations, which is one of the reasons that these numbers are so high. Examples of where these mistakes are made often involve problems that arise at four-way stops or merge lanes on highways where people need to be wary of others at all times and proceed in the correct order.
Failure to Yield the Right-of-Way and Legal Fallout
When someone is injured in a crash because someone else failed to yield the right-of-way, he or she has basically violated the rules of the road that exist across the state. As such, this would constitute unreasonable conduct on the part of that driver who caused the crash. Therefore, if someone who is injured in a crash that occurred for this reason decides to pursue legal remedies, that person could recover damages that compensate for his or her losses.
If you or someone you love has been injured by a negligent or a reckless driver, you need to seek the help of New York accident lawyers who have been fighting for the rights of those wrongfully harmed for more than 40 years. Contact The Fitzgerald Law Firm today to schedule a free initial consultation.