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You might have pondered who has the right of way if you’ve ever been in a four-way stop standoff with three or more other cars. And if you’ve ever been in a collision or other major car accident because another driver made a mistake, you know that the correct response might mean the difference between being at fault and getting hurt. Failing to understand the right of way at a four way stop causes accidents. So, during a four-way stop in Texas, who has the right of way?

Right-of-Way Rules at a Four Way Stop

The law does not always state who has the right-of-way; instead, it states who is required to relinquish the right-of-way. Every driver, cyclist, and pedestrian must take every precaution to avoid an auto accident. When you give up the right-of-way, another car might pass you on the road. Most junctions follow the “Yield to the Driver on the Right” rule when several cars enter an intersection at once.

The right-of-way must always be given to pedestrians at crosswalks and crossings. Since bicycles are regarded as cars, they must follow the same laws as other drivers. As a result, bicycles don’t always get the right of way.

Arrival Time

The first driver to arrive at a stop sign is the first one to leave – otherwise stated, they have the right-of-way. This is the number one rule at all four-way stops.  When you reach a 4-way stop sign, be aware of the other vehicles that are also stopping. Each driver should pass through the intersection according to the sequence in which they arrived. Another driver can dangerously ignore the fact that you arrived first, making them at fault for a four-way stop collision.

Right is First

The next rule in most states is that if drivers are unsure of who arrived first at a four way stop, then the driver to the right will have the right-of-way to proceed through the intersection. It is important to be aware of every vehicle present at the intersection and when they stop. Sometimes, drivers don’t follow this rule and just proceed through the intersection, which can cause an auto accident.

Straight vs. Turning

In situations where another driver is directly across from you, you may both move at the same time if you are both going straight through the intersection. If the other driver is turning right, you can also proceed straight or turn right. When you are turning left, you must yield if the other driver is going straight or is turning right. If you and the other driver are both turning to the left or the right, you can both proceed at the same time since there is no risk of collision.

Common Causes of Four Way Stop Accidents

Every single car wreck is different, many with aspects that are initially unclear. Working with a personal injury attorney after a car accident helps ensure a thorough investigation is conducted to identify any potential extenuating circumstances in your case. Many factors could contribute to the cause of a four way stop collision.

Reasons four-way stop collisions occur include:

• Fatigue
• Not knowing whose turn it is
• Car issues
• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Auto defects

Driving while fatigued is almost as risky as driving while intoxicated. Your body may shut down if you are worn out. You might swerve, slow down, or come to a sudden stop. These quick responses might be a factor in a collision. Cars can malfunction from time to time. The driver is in charge of performing routine maintenance on the car. When poor maintenance causes an accident, the driver is to blame.

Accidents can, however, occasionally be caused by faulty components, and the maker of the component or the vehicle will probably bear some liability for the collision and resulting damage.

Four-way Stop Statistics

According to data from a recent analysis of motor vehicle crashes at stop signs, around 700,000 motor vehicle collisions are reported to the police each year. Roughly one-third of these crashes result in injuries. About 70% of roadway collisions involved a stop sign infraction. These impacts were often angular.

The majority of crashes that did not include stop violations were rear-end collisions, which accounted for around 12% of all collisions. The majority of the time, the crash was attributed to the driver’s incapacity or failure to recognize oncoming traffic. Furthermore, drivers under the age of 18 and those over the age of 65 were disproportionately found to be at fault in accidents involving stop signs.

Contact Lovell, Lovell, Isern & Farabough, LLP Today

If you have been injured in a four-way stop accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today. The car accident lawyers at Lovell, Lovell, Isern & Farabough can provide you with the advice and counsel you need and help you prove who was liable at the stop so you can get the financial compensation you need and deserve to move forward.