Failure to Yield Accidents

Bergen County Lawyer Helping People Injured in Failure to Yield Accidents Protect Their Interests

Failure to yield accidents, which are caused when one driver neglects to allow another driver to have the right of way, are among the most common types of car accidents in Bergen County. Most failure to yield crashes are avoidable, however, and are caused by the reckless failure to abide by the laws regarding the safe operation of a vehicle. If you suffered harm because of a failure to yield collision, it is essential to meet with a knowledgeable Bergen County car accident attorney to discuss the facts of your case and whether you may be able to recover damages for your losses. Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a seasoned Bergen County car accident attorney who is proficient in helping parties hurt in failure to yield accidents in the pursuit of damages, and if you hire him, he will aggressively pursue the best legal outcome available in your case. Mr. Leopold has offices in Hackensack and New York City, and he frequently represents people in lawsuits arising out of failure to yield accidents throughout Bergen County.

New Jersey Law Regarding the Failure to Yield

New Jersey has specific laws regarding when a driver is obligated to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. For example, drivers who are turning left must yield to oncoming traffic before completing their turns. Additionally, if a driver is entering an intersection, the driver is required to yield to other motorists who are already in the intersection. If two drivers are approaching an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. Similarly, if a driver is entering a highway, they are required to yield to other drivers who have entered the intersection via the highway or are too close to proceed without risk. People who fail to yield in accordance with New Jersey law may not only face traffic citations but may also be civilly liable for any harm they cause.

Recovering Damages After a Failure to Yield Accident

Failure to yield accidents frequently cause substantial injuries. When people harmed by failure to yield accidents file lawsuits to recoup the damages caused by the collision, they typically will assert that the driver that caused the crash was negligent.

Under New Jersey law, to recover damages under a theory of negligence, a plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed them a duty. In cases involving failure to yield accidents, the duty owed is usually the duty to yield the right of way and to operate the vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner under the circumstances.

The plaintiff must then show that the defendant breached the duty, and that the plaintiff suffered harm as a result of the breach. The plaintiff is not required to show that the breach was the only cause of the crash, however. Instead, they must prove that it was a substantial factor in it bringing it about and that the collision would not have happened without the breach.

Damages Recoverable for Failure to Yield Accidents

If the plaintiff successfully proves negligence, he or she may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include the cost of any medical treatment for injuries sustained in the accident, property damage, and, if the plaintiff could not work due to their injuries, any lost earnings. Non-economic damages are damages for the pain, suffering, and inconvenience caused by the accident. Additionally, if the plaintiff was married when the accident occurred, their spouse may be able to recover damages as well.

Speak With a Skilled Bergen County Car Accident Attorney

If you sustained damages due to a failure to yield accident, it is smart to speak with an attorney to evaluate your potential claims. Howard Leopold of Leopold Law, L.L.C. is a skillful Bergen County car accident attorney who will zealously advocate on your behalf to help you seek any damages you may be owed. Mr. Leopold’s offices are located in Hackensack and New York City, and he frequently represents people in car accident cases in Bergen County and cities throughout Hudson, Passaic, and Essex Counties in New Jersey, and Bronx, Richmond, Kings, New York, Queens, and Rockland Counties in New York. You can reach him via the form online or at his New Jersey office at (201) 345-5907 or his New York office at (646) 650-2106 to arrange a free and confidential meeting.