Failure to exercise caution or yield the right-of-way at a yellow light could result in a collision. In many yellow light accidents in Georgia, both drivers involved in a collision thought they had the right-of-way. These collisions probably were preventable if the motorists had a better understanding of the rules of the road.
Yellow light accidents in Georgia often involve a scenario where one driver was proceeding straight through an intersection, and another driver was attempting to turn left on a yellow light. The driver proceeding straight through the intersection thinks they have the right-of-way to clear the intersection, while the motorist turning left thinks the driver will stop, and they will then have the right-of-way to turn.
In these accident cases, the driver attempting the left turn will typically be responsible. A driver attempting a left turn should wait until it is safe to make their turn, watch for oncoming traffic, and yield accordingly. Also, a motorist facing a yellow light can proceed through the intersection if it is unsafe to stop.
Liability in yellow light accidents can be complicated, with both drivers potentially sharing fault. This is why you need an experienced attorney to evaluate your case if you sustained injuries in a yellow light accident in Atlanta. The yellow light car accident attorneys at Butler Kahn are prepared to review your situation during a free initial consultation.
Who Has the Right-of-Way at a Yellow Light?
In Georgia, the yellow light is typically an indication to motorists that the red light is about to appear. When approaching a yellow light, you should stop if you can do so safely. If you cannot stop in time and can safely enter the intersection before the light turns red, you are not violating the law. Failure to stop at a red light means you may find yourself in the middle of an intersection where crossing traffic has the right-of-way with a green light.
On the other hand, a flashing yellow light means you should proceed with caution, as cross-traffic may be entering. Flashing yellows lights are located at some intersections. They are also common in construction zones and following power outages. A yellow arrow means a red arrow is about to appear. When you see this, you should come to a stop if it is safe to do so.
How Yellow Light Accidents Happen
As warning signals, yellow lights should prompt drivers to slow down and prepare to stop when the light changes to red. However, not all drivers obey this warning. Motorists often see the yellow light and drive faster to beat the red light, leading to severe accidents.
Other causes of yellow light accidents include:
- Not paying attention when driving
- Making a dangerous left-hand turn in front of oncoming traffic
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
Determining Fault for a Yellow Light, Left-Hand Turn Accident
Left-turn accidents are some of the most common types of accidents that happen when a light is yellow. These crashes occur when a vehicle is traveling straight through an intersection with a yellow light, and another motorist attempts a left turn in front of them on that same yellow light. The driver turning left has to yield to oncoming traffic to make the turn safely.
Typically, the driver who is turning left will be responsible for the accident. If, for example, a driver turns when the light is yellow and oncoming traffic strikes the turning motorist, they could be at fault for not yielding. If the driver makes the turn after the light has turned red and an oncoming motorist hits the turning vehicle, the oncoming motorist may be at fault for the accident for failing to stop for the red light.
Before making a left-hand turn, all motorists must make sure that they can safely move their vehicle through the intersection. Yellow light accidents should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Several factors could shift the blame, including whether a driver was speeding, distracted, or participating in another negligent driving behavior. Drivers could even share the liability for a yellow light accident in some instances.
How Much Will the Insurance Company Pay for a Yellow Light Injury?
It is difficult to put an exact dollar amount on what an insurance company will pay for a Georgia yellow light injury case. The amount of compensation a yellow light accident victim may receive largely depends on the extent of the victim’s injuries and other damages, the circumstances of the accident, and the compensation available through insurance policies or other avenues.
To determine appropriate compensation in your accident case, an experienced lawyer will need to collect all of the facts and document your injuries and losses. Then they will need to negotiate assertively and skillfully with the at-fault party’s insurance company, as well as any other liable parties.
The vast majority of car accident claims settle without a lawsuit. If your yellow light accident attorney determines that a settlement offer from the at-fault party’s insurance company covers all your losses, they may advise you to take it.
Never accept any compensation from an insurance company without first speaking with a skilled and knowledgeable Atlanta personal injury attorney. Compensation in these cases should cover all your losses. Types of compensation may include medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering, among other losses.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Claim Attorney
If you have suffered severe injuries in a yellow light accident in Atlanta or elsewhere in Georgia, the Atlanta car accident lawyers at Butler Kahn are prepared to help you deal with the aftermath. We understand what you are going through, and we are ready to answer any questions you may have.
Our dedicated attorneys want to help you move forward with your life and recover the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries. Contact us online whenever you are ready for a free and confidential consultation.
