Knowing who has the right of way is an important part of being a responsible driver. It is also important if you’re involved in an accident and need to be able to prove the other party was liable for the collision.
The following are a few examples of some right-of-way scenarios:
- Stop signs: If you and another driver approach a stop sign at the same time, the driver on the right has the right of way. Otherwise, the driver that arrived first has the right of way.
- Uncontrolled intersection: If you approach an uncontrolled intersection at the same time as another driver, the driver on the right has the right of way. Otherwise, the driver that arrived first has the right of way.
- Pedestrians: Pedestrians always have the right of way at intersections and crosswalks, unless there are traffic signals telling them to not walk.
- Left turns: When turning left at an intersection, you must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic.
- Merging: When merging on to traffic, do not attempt to merge if it requires the driver behind you to slow down.
- Emergency vehicles: Emergency vehicles always have the right of way when their lights are flashing.
- Mountain road: If two vehicles are on a narrow mountain road in which only one vehicle can pass through at a time, the vehicle going uphill has the right of way.
To get answers to these and other questions after a car, bike or pedestrian accident, work with an experienced Sarasota personal injury attorney at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez & Walsh.