What Does Yield the Right-of-Way Mean in Texas

In Texas, yielding the right-of-way means allowing another driver, cyclist, or pedestrian their right to go first on a road or through an intersection. Unfortunately, many road users fail to yield the right-of-way, putting themselves and others in danger of a crash.

What Are Texas’ Right-of-Way Laws?

Given how vital the right-of-way is to prevent accidents, it’s no surprise that the Texas Transportation Code contains an entire subchapter on right-of-way laws. Some of the state’s key right-of-way rules include:

• Drivers must yield to traffic already moving through an intersection and should not proceed unless they can do so safely.
• When drivers approach a three-way or four-way intersection that does not have a traffic light, stop sign, or other traffic control device, they must yield to other drivers on their right. They should not proceed through the intersection until it’s safe.
• Slower drivers should drive on the right side of the road unless they are preparing to pass someone or getting ready to make a left turn.
• Drivers turning left at an intersection without a left-turn arrow must yield to vehicles in the intersection and drivers coming toward them.
• When approaching yield signs at intersections, drivers must slow down and yield to traffic in the intersection and other drivers close enough to the intersection to be a safety hazard.
• If a traffic light malfunctions, all drivers must stop and ensure it’s safe before going through the intersection. If multiple cars arrive simultaneously, the drivers on the left should yield to drivers to their right.

Who Has the Right-of-Way at a 4-Way Stop?

Understanding who has the right-of-way at a four-way stop can help you stay safe and prevent accidents. Texas law outlines who has the right-of-way at these intersections, depending on the circumstances:

• The first vehicle to arrive and come to a complete stop at the intersection has the right-of-way. If you reach the stop sign before another driver, you get to go first.
• If two or more vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way. This means you should always let the car on your right proceed first.
• When two vehicles arrive at the same time from opposite directions, the one going straight has the right-of-way over someone turning left. This is because turning left typically takes more time and presents a higher risk of collision. If you’re turning left, you must wait for the car going straight to proceed through the intersection.
• If pedestrians are crossing, you must yield to them. The same applies to bicycles, which are considered vehicles under Texas law.

Making eye contact with other drivers and using hand signals or your turn signals to indicate your intentions can help clarify who will go next. Always proceed with caution and make sure other drivers understand your intentions to minimize the risk of accidents.

What Are the Penalties for Failure to Yield Right-of-Way in Texas?

Failure to yield the right-of-way in Texas can result in serious penalties, especially when it results in a crash. According to Texas law, if a driver fails to yield and causes a collision, the penalties depend on the severity of the injuries sustained by others involved:

• If someone other than the driver suffers a bodily injury, the fine ranges from $500 to $2,000.
• If someone other than the driver suffers a serious bodily injury, the fine increases to between $1,000 and $4,000.

These fines underscore the importance of following right-of-way laws to avoid accidents and significant financial penalties.

What If Another Driver Fails to Yield the Right-of-Way?

While Texas right-of-way laws specify what should happen when there’s a question of who has the right to go, drivers don’t always follow the rules. If another driver does not yield the right-of-way to you when they should, it’s best to let them pass if possible. You can keep going once they have cleared the intersection or passed you.

Unfortunately, failing to yield the right-of-way is among the most common causes of Texas car accidents. If another driver doesn’t yield and hits you, they are likely liable for your injuries. An experienced attorney can help you file a claim against the at-fault driver to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses resulting from the collision. Contact our Dallas car accident lawyer today.

How Does Right-of-Way Apply to Traffic Lights?

In Texas, you must yield the right-of-way in specific traffic situations. Determining who has the right-of-way will depend on what type of light you have:

• Green light – When you encounter a green light, you have the right-of-way and can proceed through the intersection – assuming it is clear. However, you should always stay alert and ensure other vehicles and pedestrians have obeyed their signals.
• Green light, no turn arrow – If you’re turning left at a green light without a left-turn arrow, you must yield to oncoming traffic moving straight ahead. Even though your light is green, the right-of-way belongs to these oncoming vehicles. You can complete your left turn after yielding and ensuring it’s safe.
• Red light – Red lights are more straightforward. A red light means you must stop and yield the right-of-way to all other vehicles and pedestrians. If you’re at a red light and turning right, you must fully stop and yield to traffic from the left and any crossing pedestrians before proceeding. You can turn left at a red light if you are turning from a one-way street onto a one-way street and no other cars or pedestrians are in your way.
• Yellow light – A yellow light serves as a caution. It indicates that the green light is about to end, and the signal will soon turn red. While some drivers may take it as a signal to speed up, Texas law advises drivers to stop if it is safe.

What Are the Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws in Texas?

The Texas Transportation Code also contains several provisions concerning pedestrians’ right-of-way at intersections and when crossing the street. Some keys laws to note include:

• Pedestrians facing a green traffic light can cross the street within a marked or unmarked crosswalk unless the signal is a turn arrow. Pedestrians facing red traffic lights are not allowed to cross the street.
• Pedestrians must follow “Walk,” “Don’t Walk,” and “Wait” signals at intersections. However, a pedestrian who’s crossing the street when the “Walk” signal changes to “Don’t Walk” or “Wait” can finish crossing the street.
• Drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing the street if there’s no traffic signal and the pedestrian is either on their half of the street or is approaching closely enough from the other half of the street that the pedestrian could be in danger.
• Pedestrians cannot leave a curb or sidewalk so close to oncoming traffic that drivers do not have enough time to stop safely.

When Should I Yield the Right-of-Way?

As drivers in Texas, we must understand right-of-way rules to maintain safety on the roads and avoid unnecessary accidents. Here are a few instances when you should yield the right-of-way:

• Intersections – When two cars arrive at an intersection simultaneously, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right. If you’re turning left and other traffic is approaching from the opposite direction, you should yield to that traffic.
• Stop signs – At a four-way stop, the right-of-way belongs to the vehicle that arrived first. If it’s unclear who arrived first or two cars arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the left should yield to the vehicle on the right.
• Emergency vehicles – Always yield to emergency vehicles using their lights or sirens, even if you have the green light. Pull over to the right edge of the road or as far away as possible to allow them safe passage.
• Highway entrance and exit ramps – If you’re entering a highway, you should yield to vehicles already on the highway. When you’re on the highway and approaching an exit ramp, you should yield to cars attempting to exit.

Is Relinquishing the Right-of-Way a Good Idea?

Texas law lays out specific scenarios where you must yield the right-of-way. But sometimes it’s smart to relinquish it, even when it’s technically yours. By doing so, you prioritize safety over your legal rights. This can reduce the chance of accidents caused by other drivers’ unexpected or unlawful actions.

What Are Some Car Accidents That Might Occur for Failing to Yield the Right-of-Way?

Failing to yield the right-of-way when required can cause many kinds of accidents, including:

• Intersection accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Side-impact or T-bone collisions
• Merging accidents
• Accidents involving emergency vehicles

Contact a Texas Car Accident Lawyer

After a failure-to-yield accident, you may feel overwhelmed by the physical, emotional, and financial burden you face. That’s where we come in. The Texas car accident lawyers at the Wilhite Law Firm have extensive experience helping people recover the money they need after failure-to-yield accidents. Our team can guide you through the legal maze, negotiate with insurance companies, and work tirelessly to get you the compensation you deserve. Call us or complete our online contact form for a free case evaluation.