Without clear rules on merging, turning, or entering intersections, there would be chaos on Georgia roads. Yielding the right-of-way means letting another vehicle enter an intersection, turn, or merge into traffic before you proceed. However, don’t forget that right-of-way laws also apply to pedestrians and cyclists.
What Is Georgia’s Law on Yielding the Right-of-Way?
There’s no single law that outlines the right-of-way rules for Georgia drivers. Instead, multiple laws cover different situations where drivers must yield the right-of-way. Some of those laws include:
- Approaching an intersection – When two cars arrive at an intersection simultaneously, the driver on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right. (Ga. Code § 40-6-70)
- Turning left – Any drivers attempting to turn left at an intersection or into an alley or driveway must yield to any drivers traveling from the opposite direction that are close enough to pose a safety hazard. (Ga. Code § 40-6-71)
- Approaching a stop sign – Any driver approaching a stop sign must stop at the marked stop line. When there’s no marked line, they must stop before the crosswalk. If there’s no crosswalk, they should stop at the point closest to the intersecting road with a clear view of approaching traffic. After stopping, the driver must yield to any vehicle already in the intersection or close enough to pose a safety hazard. (Ga. Code § 40-6-72)
- Approaching a yield sign – Drivers must slow down when approaching a yield sign and, if necessary, stop and yield to any vehicles already in the intersection or close enough to be a safety hazard. (Ga. Code § 40-6-72)
- Pedestrians – Pedestrians must follow posted signs and signals. (Ga. Code § 40-6-90) They must also yield to cars already on the road if they cross the street outside a marked crosswalk unless they have already safely entered the street. (Ga. Code § 40-6-92) However, drivers must watch out for pedestrians and yield to those within crosswalks if the pedestrian is on their half of the road or within one lane of it. (Ga. Code § 40-6-91)
What Are Some Common Right-of-Way Situations?
Georgia’s right-of-way laws can be complex. Here are some guidelines to follow as you’re driving:
- Intersections – At four-way stops, the general rule is “first come, first served.” If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the car on the right has the right-of-way. At a T-intersection, the car on the through road has the right-of-way.
- Left turns – If you’re making a left turn at an intersection, whether marked with a traffic signal or uncontrolled, you should yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
- Roundabouts – Vehicles already in the roundabout have the right-of-way. If you’re entering, wait for a safe gap before merging with the circulating traffic.
- Emergency vehicles – When police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, or other emergency vehicles approach with lights flashing or sirens blaring, all drivers should yield the right-of-way by pulling over to the right side of the road and stopping until the emergency vehicle has passed.
- Highway merging – When merging onto a highway, drivers entering from the ramp should yield to traffic already on the highway.
What Are Some Reasons a Driver May Fail to Yield the Right-of-Way?
There are many reasons why Georgia drivers might fail to follow right-of-way laws, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Speeding
- Ignorance of traffic laws
- Poor visibility
- Misjudgment of other vehicles’ speed or distance
- Mechanical failure
- Inadequate signage or road markings
- Overconfidence in driving skills
What Injuries Might Result from a Failure-to-Yield Accident?
Failure-to-yield accidents in Georgia often happen at high speeds and cause catastrophic injuries, such as:
- Whiplash
- Concussions
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and bruises
- Internal bleeding
- Sprains and strains
- Dislocated joints
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
What Should I Do If I Am in a Failure-to-Yield Accident?
Failure-to-yield accidents can cause devastating injuries. It’s essential to protect your rights as best you can after a collision. Here’s what to do after a failure-to-yield accident in Georgia:
- Document everything – As soon as you can, write down all the details you remember about the accident. If you have pictures from the scene, save and organize them. Save the contact information for anyone who saw the crash.
- Obtain a police report – If the police responded to the scene, there should be an official police report. You can usually obtain this from the law enforcement agency that investigated the collision.
- Gather medical documentation – Keep a detailed record of all your medical treatments and costs related to the accident, from the initial emergency room visit to any follow-up appointments, physical therapy sessions, or prescribed medications.
- Inform your insurance company – Report the accident to your insurance company as soon as you can. However, don’t describe any details of the accident until you talk to a lawyer.
- Keep a personal diary – Document any pain you feel, both physical and emotional, and the ways the accident has impacted your day-to-day life. This can be instrumental in a personal injury claim.
- Hire a personal injury attorney – The sooner you hire a lawyer, the more they can do to protect your rights and find evidence proving the other driver caused your injuries.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
The Georgia car accident attorneys at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., believe in holding negligent drivers accountable for their actions. We are here to guard your rights and help you recover fair compensation after a failure-to-yield accident caused by someone else. Call us today or complete our online contact form for a free consultation.
