Failure to Yield Crashes in Phoenix

Hundreds of drivers hit the road every day, and unfortunately, not all of them follow the rules. One of the most common and dangerous violations? Failing to yield the right of way. When this happens, the result can be a serious collision with another driver, pedestrian, or cyclist. Car accident lawyers in Phoenix deal with the aftermath of these accidents all the time. 

Failure to Yield Statistics

According to 2023 data from the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), failure to yield accounted for over 9% of all traffic violations, surpassing even those related to mobile phone use crash statistics in Arizona. In many cases, distracted driving plays a role in both.

To break the data down further, 134 of the failure to yield-related crashes were fatal, while more than 8,200 people were hurt due to the issue.

Why Yielding the Right of Way Matters

More than 1.6 million people call Phoenix home, and as Arizona’s largest city, it’s no surprise that traffic congestion and busy intersections are a part of everyday life. But with that comes the harsh reality that too many drivers ignore the rules of the road, especially when it comes to yielding the right of way.

Failure to yield crashes are some of the most preventable accidents. They usually happen because someone ran a red light, rolled through a stop sign or miscalculated the time they had to turn across traffic. In a fast-moving city like Phoenix, those split-second decisions can lead to some serious consequences, including months of trauma and pain, vehicle repairs, or long-term injuries.

It’s not just other drivers at risk, either. People crossing the street and cyclists following the rules can easily become victims when someone doesn’t yield. This is why yielding is a must for safety. Slowing down and following right of way laws helps protect everyone on the road.

How to Prove Who’s at Fault

Proving who’s at fault in a failure to yield crash boils down to the evidence you collect, such as: 

• Police reports
• Traffic camera footage
• Witness statements 
• Vehicle damages
• Dashcam video
• Surveillance footage from a nearby business 

Most of the time, drivers are quick to deny responsibility after a crash. This is why collecting as much evidence as possible is so important. It’s important to note, though, Arizona allows more than one driver to be found at fault in an accident. 

But in failure to yield cases, the driver who didn’t follow right of way rules is usually the one held primarily responsible. The stronger your evidence, the clearer the picture, and the better your chances of proving who’s truly at fault.

The Help You Need

To build a strong case and protect your rights, it’s worth turning to legal professionals who understand these types of accidents. The team at Gage Mathers has decades of experience with failure to yield collisions, distracted driving cases, and personal injury claims across Phoenix.

From gathering critical evidence to handling the insurance companies, we take care of the legal work so you can focus on recovery.

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About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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