When someone fails to yield and causes an accident, the results often include serious injuries, medical bills, and time away from work. If you or a loved one in Tulsa, OK, suffered harm because another driver ignored traffic laws, you may be looking for accountability and a path toward financial recovery.
A failure to yield accident lawyer from Graves McLain Injury Lawyers can help you pursue justice and hold the negligent party responsible. Our team understands what these cases involve and works to build strong claims for our clients. We offer free consultations to help you learn your legal options and take the next step toward recovery.
A failure to yield occurs when a driver doesn’t allow another vehicle or pedestrian who has the legal right to proceed to go first. This includes ignoring yield signs, cutting off vehicles in intersections, or turning left without ensuring the way is clear. The person who fails to yield can be held liable for any injuries or damage caused by the resulting crash.
Common examples include:
Oklahoma’s right-of-way laws require all drivers to yield to traffic that has the legal right to move first. This includes yielding to pedestrians at intersections, stopping for emergency vehicles with active lights or sirens, and allowing vehicles already in a roundabout to continue without interruption. Violating these laws can result in traffic citations and civil liability.
Liability usually falls on the driver who ignored traffic laws. However, proving fault requires a detailed review of how the collision occurred and who had the right-of-way at the time.
Fault depends on evidence that shows a driver acted carelessly or unlawfully. For example, a driver who runs a stop sign and collides with another vehicle may bear full responsibility for the crash. However, if both drivers made errors, the situation becomes more complex and may involve shared fault.
Oklahoma uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still pursue compensation if you were partly at fault, as long as your share of fault doesn’t exceed 50 percent. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault, you could recover 80 percent of your total damages.
Proving liability often involves gathering evidence such as:
Failure to yield accidents happen in many ways, and each type often involves different causes and outcomes.
Left-turn collisions frequently happen when drivers misjudge oncoming traffic or try to turn before a light changes. These crashes often lead to severe injuries due to the angle of impact.
Merging collisions occur when drivers enter a highway or lane without allowing sufficient space. Failing to yield while merging can cause chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles.
Pedestrians always have the right-of-way at marked crosswalks. When drivers fail to stop, pedestrians can suffer serious injuries even at low speeds.
Oklahoma law requires drivers to pull over when emergency vehicles approach with sirens or flashing lights. Failing to yield in these situations not only causes accidents but can also lead to significant penalties.
Victims of failure to yield accidents may seek several types of damages. These cover both financial losses and the human impact of the crash.
Economic damages refer to measurable losses such as:
Non-economic damages address the personal impact of an accident, such as:
Punitive damages apply in rare cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct. They are meant to punish the at-fault driver and discourage similar behavior.
Under Oklahoma law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation through the court system.
Some exceptions may extend or shorten this period. For instance, claims involving government vehicles may have shorter deadlines. Minors may have more time to file after turning 18.
Acting quickly allows your attorney to gather evidence before it’s lost or destroyed. It also gives your legal team more time to build a strong claim and negotiate with insurers.
Proving that another driver caused a failure to yield an accident requires strong, well-documented evidence. A car accident attorney plays a key role in gathering, preserving, and presenting this information in a way that supports your claim. The right lawyer knows how to uncover details that might not be obvious at first and how to use them to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Police reports document important facts about the accident, such as the location, vehicle positions, and any citations issued. A traffic ticket for failure to yield can support your claim.
Witnesses often provide valuable insight. Their independent accounts can confirm that the other driver failed to yield or acted recklessly.
Footage from dashcams, intersection cameras, or nearby businesses can clearly show what happened. Photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, and debris also help illustrate how the crash occurred.
Accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals may explain how the collision happened and how the injuries affect your daily life.
Oklahoma’s traffic statutes outline how drivers must behave to prevent failure to yield accidents. The law states that drivers approaching an intersection must yield to vehicles already within it. Those turning left must yield to oncoming traffic that poses an immediate hazard.
When two vehicles reach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right. These rules help prevent confusion and collisions.
Drivers must always stop for pedestrians crossing the street in a marked crosswalk. Ignoring this rule can result in severe penalties and injury claims.
Sometimes, the at-fault driver may try to shift blame. Your attorney can take steps to challenge these claims and protect your rights.
Your attorney can use physical evidence, witness testimony, and traffic camera footage to show that the other driver caused the accident. Proving that you followed traffic laws helps strengthen your position.
If both parties share fault, the amount you can recover may be reduced by your percentage of fault. Your attorney will work to show that the other driver bears the majority of the responsibility.
A strong defense relies on clear evidence. Detailed accident reports, medical documentation, and expert evaluations can all support your case.
The attorneys at Graves McLain Injury Lawyers represent people who’ve suffered harm in failure to yield accidents. We know how insurance companies operate and how to push back when they try to avoid accountability.
We review every detail of your case, gather evidence, and work with specialists when needed. Our goal is to uncover the facts that prove the other driver’s fault.
Insurance companies often attempt to reduce claim payouts. We handle communication and negotiation to pursue a fair outcome that reflects your losses.
When insurers refuse to take responsibility, we prepare cases for court. Our attorneys are experienced trial advocates who present strong arguments on behalf of our clients.
We evaluate every aspect of your losses, including future medical care and long-term financial impact. Our approach helps ensure your claim reflects the full scope of what you’ve lost.
We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict.
Yes. Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law allows you to seek compensation as long as you were less than 51 percent at fault. Your compensation will be adjusted based on your share of responsibility.
A citation isn’t required to prove fault. Other evidence, such as witness statements and crash reports, can demonstrate the other driver’s negligence.
The value depends on your medical expenses, lost income, and how the injuries affect your daily life. Every case differs, so your attorney will calculate damages based on your specific circumstances.
Yes. An attorney can gather stronger evidence, negotiate with insurers, and prevent you from accepting an unfair settlement.
You may still have options through your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. Your attorney can review your policy and explain how to file a claim.
A failure to yield to an accident can lead to unexpected injuries, medical costs, and long-term effects. The sooner you reach out for help, the better your chances of building a strong case.
Graves McLain Injury Lawyers provides compassionate legal support for people injured by careless drivers in Oklahoma. Call 918-359-6600 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and learn how we can help you pursue accountability and financial recovery.
