What Does Yielding the Right of Way Mean? 

Gregg Hollander | December 22, 2021 | Florida Law

On the road, there are certain standards of conduct on the road, both written and unwritten. Of course, every driver must do their best to avoid an accident whenever possible. But what exactly does that mean? 

Yielding the right of way is a confusing and often misunderstood term. But failure to yield can be extremely dangerous.

If you are looking for more information about this driving term, keep reading. In this post, you’ll discover a definition for “yielding the right of way.” You’ll learn where your legal responsibilities as a driver stand. 

Yielding the Right of Way Defined

When a driver yields the right of way, they allow another vehicle to enter an intersection before them.

The point of yielding is to reduce the risk of a car accident in an area that is not regulated by traffic lights. If neither driver is willing to yield, the two vehicles are likely to collide in the intersection.

When to Yield the Right of Way

In Florida, the laws regarding when to yield the right of way are strictly defined in Statutes 316.125 and 316.121. According to these statutes, drivers need to yield:

  • When exiting an alleyway, driveway, or private road and merging onto a crossroad
  • When approaching an intersection where another driver has arrived first
  • When approaching an intersection at the same moment as another driver who is to their right
  • When approaching a county- or city-maintained road from an unpaved road 

Sometimes, yielding the right of way can cause confusion, even with a basic understanding of Florida statutes. If you are about to enter an intersection and you are unsure about who has the right of way, it’s best to yield until the roadway is clear. 

Why Yielding Is Important

Intersections are dangerous. They bring together multiple roadways with traffic coming from all directions. Intersections are so dangerous, in fact, that an estimated 40% of all accidents occur in and around them.

Unfortunately, drivers aren’t the only people at risk. Passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists are all vulnerable in these areas. 

Naturally, understanding and obeying the concept of right-of-way is one way to lessen your risk of an accident.

It’s also wise to avoid these dangerous behaviors, especially when you arrive at an intersection:

  • Distracted driving
  • Failure to recognize the speed or gap of another vehicle
  • Assuming you know another driver’s next move
  • Making a turn with an obstructed view
  • Making an illegal maneuver

Failure to yield the right of way appropriately can have devastating consequences.

The biggest fallout of failing to yield the right of way is that you may become liable for an accident and any resulting injuries. Florida is a no-fault state. But if the damages are great enough, you may still be on the hook for the losses you cause.

You also risk a citation when you fail to yield the right of way. No one enjoys an unexpected ticket. Observe the right of way properly, and it won’t be an issue. 

When to Call an Attorney

If you have been injured because another driver did not yield the right of way at an intersection, get in touch with an attorney. An unexpected injury can leave you with hundreds or thousands of dollars in medical bills, lost time at work, and damaged property. An attorney can help you to pursue the compensation you’re entitled to.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in South Florida

If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach.

We proudly serve Palm Beach County, Broward County, and its surrounding areas:

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Boca Raton Law Office
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd #500
Boca Raton, FL 33433
(561) 347-7770

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – Fort Lauderdale Law Office
200 S.E. 6th Street #203
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
(954) 287-0566

Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers – West Palm Beach Law Office
319 Clematis St #203
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 556-7873