Tips on How to Assess Fault and Your Rights When an Accident Occurs
With a staggering 6 million car accidents occurring annually in the United States, it is crucial to remain vigilant when operating a vehicle. While it can be challenging to navigate intersections in general, four-way stops pose a particular threat—especially when multiple drivers are involved.
Ideally, we hope we can help you learn to prevent accidents. However, if you’ve been involved in a four-way stop collision in Texas, understanding how to assess fault can greatly benefit your case.
Understanding the Dynamics of Four-Way Stop Rules in Texas
Four-way stops are among the most confusing types of intersections to navigate on the road. Understanding the rules of the road regarding intersection laws in Texas can be a matter of life or death.
Four-way stop rules require all vehicles to come to a complete stop at the intersection before proceeding. This law was designed to prevent accidents and ensure all drivers yield the right of way correctly. In spite of everyone’s best efforts, four-way stop collisions still occur—over 36% of all accidents occur at intersections.
However, collisions can still occur, and determining fault depends on various factors. According to a statistic from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 96.1% of intersection-related crashes are attributed to human error. This comes into play when determining who is at fault when an accident does happen.
How Do I Know if I’m at Fault According to Intersection Laws in Texas?
In the heat of the moment after a car accident, it can be hard to assess fault according to intersection laws in Texas. When it comes to a four-way stop collision, several factors come into play:
Right-of-Way Rules in Texas
According to right-of-way rules in Texas, the first driver to arrive at the stop sign has the right-of-way. If two or more drivers arrive at an intersection at the same time, the driver on the right always has the right of way.
Failure to Yield
According to state laws, if a driver fails to yield the right of way, causing a four-way stop collision, they are usually considered at fault. For example, if another driver didn’t yield the right of way to you and then struck your vehicle on the front passenger door, they may be considered at fault for the accident.
Driver Actions
When trying to assess fault after an accident, the actions of all involved drivers come into play. For example, if one driver ran a stop sign, was on their phone, or didn’t wait their turn, they may be found liable for the accident. You may share the blame if you fail to yield the right of way.
Evidence and Witnesses are Your Biggest Assets
Sometimes, the people involved in an accident are not the most reliable narrators when telling the real story. Witness statements, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence like skid marks can help clarify the situation and help determine who had the right of way during a four-way stop collision.
Texas Traffic Laws
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, ten lives are lost every single day in Texas due to vehicular accidents. Texans can significantly reduce these devastating losses by simply following Texas traffic laws. Understanding these laws or consulting with a traffic attorney can give you a deeper insight into the specifics of your situation. These local and state laws can also help determine who is at fault.
Be Prepared for the Most Common Scenarios at Four-Way Stops to Avoid an Accident
In 2023 alone, 1,120 people were killed in intersection-related accidents in Texas. Here are several common scenarios to better understand how fault might be determined in a four-way stop collision:
You Arrived at the Intersection First
If you were the first driver to reach the stop sign and were moving through the intersection when another driver neglected to stop on their side and hit you, that driver would likely be found liable.
Multiple Drivers Arrive Simultaneously
If you and the other driver reach the intersection at the same time, but the other driver is to your right, they would have a clear right of way. If they hit your car because you failed to yield properly, you may share the fault.
Clear Violation of Intersection Laws in Texas
If any driver completely disregards the stop sign and strikes another vehicle, that person would likely be found at fault for the accident.
Essential Precautions to Take After a Four-Way Stop Collision
If you’re ever involved in a four-way stop collision, take the following steps directly afterwards to mitigate the damage and help build your case:
- Ensure Your Safety: Check for bodily injuries and move to a safer area if you’re able.
- Call the Police: Ensure you report the accident immediately, especially if an injury or fatality is involved. A comprehensive police report can be vital evidence for your legal case, if necessary.
- Document Evidence: Take stock of the scene – photos of vehicle damage, stop signs, any relevant road signs, etc. There may even be traffic cameras that could have captured footage of the incident.
- Gather Witness Information: Talk to any possible witnesses and collect their contact details. Their personal accounts can help to establish who is at fault.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel okay, you must get checked over by a medical professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, or you may experience a state of shock that covers up symptoms of an injury.
- Call Your Attorney: An experienced personal injury attorney will protect your rights after an accident.
Allow Our Compassionate Team of Personal Injury Attorneys to Help You During This Challenging Time
Being involved in a four-way stop collision and dealing with the aftermath can be monumentally stressful. We’re here to tell you – you are NOT alone.
The compassionate personal injury attorneys at Angel Reyes & Associates are committed to helping you face the complexities of a vehicular accident. Our team will work tirelessly to gather relevant evidence and build a case to defend your rights. We partner with accident reconstruction experts to establish fault while handling all communications with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation. No matter who is at fault, our dedicated team will hold your hand through this challenging time and fight for your rights every step of the way.
