Chicago Failure to Yield Car Accident Attorney

Compensation for Failure to Yield Accidents in Chicago

Chicago failure to yield car accident attorney representation is critical when a driver’s negligence leads to a serious crash.

Failure to yield remains one of the top causes of accidents in Chicago, often involving drivers who ignore yield signs, make unsafe left turns, or merge without checking for oncoming traffic. These incidents frequently happen in high-traffic areas like the Loop, Lake Shore Drive, and Western Avenue.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our Chicago car accident attorneys advocate for victims injured in failure to yield accidents and work tirelessly to recover the fair compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Recent Failure to Lead Settlements

When drivers ignore right-of-way rules, the consequences can be devastating. Below are examples of failure to yield car accident claims we have obtained:

• $350,000 Settlement – Awarded to a woman who suffered a fractured leg after being hit by a taxi that made an improper left turn.
  $733,333 Settlement – Secured for a pedestrian injured by a drunk driver who ran a red light.
• $250,000 Recovery – Obtained for a cyclist struck during rush hour when a motorist failed to yield on a busy city street.

Each case reflects the serious impact of careless driving. If you were hurt because another driver failed to yield, legal action may help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses.

Understanding Failure to Yield Laws in Illinois

Illinois law requires drivers to yield the right-of-way in several critical traffic situations. Under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-904), drivers must yield when:

• Turning left at intersections
• Merging onto highways or changing lanes
• Entering or exiting alleys, driveways, or private roads
• Approaching yield signs or non-functioning traffic lights
• Encountering emergency vehicles with activated sirens or lights

Drivers who violate traffic laws can be held liable if an accident results in injuries. A Chicago car accident attorney can help pursue compensation.

Valuing a Failure to Yield Car Accident Case

The value of a car accident caused by a failure to yield depends on several factors. This is especially true in Chicago, where failure to yield accidents can result in severe injuries:

• The seriousness of your injuries and how they affect daily life
• Total medical costs, including future care
• Lost income or reduced ability to work
• Pain, emotional distress, and hardship

A lawyer specializing in failure to yield car crashes can help you understand the value of your car accident case.

Most Common Failure to Yield Accidents in Chicago

These types of accidents are especially frequent in congested areas and intersections with poor visibility.

Common scenarios include left-turn crashes where a driver fails to yield to oncoming traffic, pedestrian collisions, especially in crosswalks at busy intersections, and rear-end or side-swipe accidents caused by unsafe merging or lane changes.

Each of these accident types can result in significant property damage and serious injuries, especially at higher speeds.

Common Causes of Chicago Failure to Yield Accidents

While the law clearly states that drivers must yield, many drivers make dangerous decisions behind the wheel or exhibit distracted driving.

These are some of the most common causes of Chicago failure to yield accidents:

• Distracted driving, such as texting or using GPS
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Aggressive or impatient behavior, such as rushing through intersections
• Misjudging the speed or distance of other vehicles
• Failing to observe signage or right-of-way rules

When drivers fail to follow the rules or engage in any form of distracted driving, the consequences can be devastating for innocent road users.

Steps to Take After An Accident

If you’ve been in an accident caused by another driver’s failure to yield, take these steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Seek medical attention, even if your symptoms seem minor at first.
2. Call the police and make sure an official report is filed.
3. Document the accident scene.
4. Collect contact info from witnesses or nearby drivers.
5. Contact a Chicago car accident lawyer for a free consultation.

Prompt action helps preserve evidence, clarify liability, and strengthen your personal injury claim when proving another driver’s failure to yield.

Common Injuries in Failure Yield Accidents

Chicago failure to yield accidents often occur at intersections or during turns, where serious car accident injuries occur.

Injury victims commonly suffer from the following:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions
• Spinal cord damage, herniated discs, or paralysis
• Fractured bones, especially in the arms, legs, or ribs
• Internal bleeding or organ trauma from high-impact collisions

Even if injuries from car crashes are not visible, it’s important to get checked by a medical professional immediately. Medical records can also strengthen your personal injury claim.

What If You Were Partially at Fault in the Car Accident?

Even if you believe you may have contributed to the motor vehicle accident, you could still have a valid car accident claim.

Under Illinois’ modified comparative fault system, you can recover damages if you are 50% or less at fault. The percentage of your fault will reduce your final compensation.

For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, your recovery would be $80,000.

Our lawyers will work to minimize your fault percentage and push back against unfair blame from insurance companies for failure to yield accidents.

Illinois Statute of Limitations for Motor Vehicle Accident Claims

If you suffered car accident injuries from a failure to yield crash, Illinois law (735 ILCS 5/13-202) gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Cases involving government vehicles may have shorter timeframes, so speak with an experienced car accident lawyer promptly to protect your right to compensation.

Evidence That Helps Prove Failure to Yield in an Auto Accident Case

To prove that the other driver failed to yield and caused the accident, your legal team will gather a range of evidence, including:

• Police reports and any traffic citations issued;
• Eyewitness testimony from pedestrians, other drivers, or passengers;
• Traffic camera or dash cam footage showing the sequence of events;
• Medical records linking your injuries to the crash;
• Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and road conditions.

Evidence is key to holding the at-fault driver responsible for failure to yield accident cases and building a strong case for financial compensation.

Speak With a Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a Chicago failure-to-yield accident, the attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help.

We handle complex right-of-way cases across Chicago and offer free consultations with no fees unless we win.

Contact us at (888) 424-5757 or through our form to discuss your legal options with a trusted Chicago car accident attorney.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.