All auto accidents have the potential to cause devastating injuries and damage, but truck accidents are even more dangerous due to them being much larger and heavier vehicles. Unfortunately, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 415,000 truck accidents occurred in the United States in 2015, and many of these are caused by drivers ignoring the rules of the road and acting negligently, such as failing to yield.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a failure to yield accident with a truck in North Port, Florida, then you should contact The Law Place today. Our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers have the skill and experience necessary to be able to build your case and fight for the compensation and justice that you deserve. We have helped many clients who have suffered from failure to yield truck accidents just like you, and so you can trust we will do everything possible to help you.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation at (941) 444-4444. Phone lines are open 24/7.
Failure to Yield Accidents
If trucks don’t slow down or stop to grant the right of way to vehicles or pedestrians when they’re supposed to, this can result in a truck accident. These are a very common type of accident and frequently occur at intersections, traffic lights, when merging into traffic, and stop signs.
Under the Florida legal system, all drivers are required to yield for:
- Pedestrians.
- Road and highway workers.
- Buses that are traveling in the same direction as you and are signaling that they’re about to re-enter traffic.
- Oncoming traffic when you’re turning left.
- Oncoming traffic when you’re approaching a stop sign.
- Oncoming traffic when you’re entering a public roadway without a traffic signal.
- The vehicle on your left when you’re both entering an intersection at the same time.
- Other vehicles that have entered an intersection when you’re approaching the same intersection.
Our personal injury lawyers know what it takes to secure a successful outcome for your case. We have secured millions for clients in North Port as well as all over Florida, and working with us will be the best chance for you to get the compensation you deserve.
Who Has the Right of Way in North Port, Florida?
The Florida legal system clearly states the rules of the road, including who has the right of way:
- You must stop and yield to any motorists, pedestrians, or cyclists when you come to a stop sign.
- When at an open intersection, you’re expected to give way to any vehicle that is already at the intersection. This is also the rule for when you make a left turn, when you enter a cross or state highway from another road, or when you drive onto an unpaved road from a paved road.
- When driving on a roundabout, you must give way to all oncoming traffic from the left.
- All drivers must yield to emergency services at all times.
If you were the victim of a failure to yield accident, then you shouldn’t have to pay for any expenses you incurred from the truck accident. Unfortunately, securing the financial compensation you deserve from the insurance company isn’t always as easy as you may think. The insurance company will do everything possible to prevent you from winning your case, so contact The Law Place today to hire an experienced failure to yield accident lawyer!
Proving Liability in an Accident Caused by a Failure to Yield
If you have been a victim of a failure to yield truck accident, then you should get in touch with The Law Place immediately. An accident lawyer from our law firm will gather evidence to prove the following:
- The other party owed you a duty of care to drive carefully.
- The other party breached this duty and did not yield the right of way.
- The other party’s action caused your injury.
Even if we can prove the other party’s failure to yield, this doesn’t prove that they caused the accident. The other party may claim that you were also partially at fault for the accident, but fortunately, this wouldn’t stop you from recovering compensation. You being at fault would only reduce your compensation by the percentage of your fault, up to the 50% cap. If you are more than 50% at fault, then you likely will not be able to claim compensation.
Seeking Compensation After a Failure to Yield Truck Accident in North Port, FL.
If you have been involved in a truck accident that was caused by the other driver’s failure to yield, and was not your fault, then you may be entitled to compensation. Truck accidents can be devastating, and so it’s essential to us that we get you the justice that you deserve.
Once you begin working with us, our accident lawyers will immediately work on gathering evidence to prove the at-fault driver’s negligence and calculate how much compensation you’re entitled to, based on the damages you’ve sustained.
Some of the most common damages that The Law Place win compensation for are listed below:
- Medical expenses – After being in a truck accident, it’s very likely that you required medical treatment for the injuries you endured, and so you should be granted compensation to cover these bills. This can include past and projected medical bills, as well as all other related expenses, such as surgeries, the cost of medication, doctor appointments, and even transportation to and from these appointments.
- Property damage – It is also likely that your vehicle was damaged in the car accident, and you deserve to be reimbursed for the costs of repairs in North Port.
- Loss of wages – If you suffered from injuries so serious that you could not go back to work, you might be owed money to cover these lost wages, including past, present, and future wages, as well as a loss of earning capability.
- Pain and suffering – It is not uncommon for victims of truck accidents to be left suffering from emotional trauma and struggling to enjoy some things that they used to. If this is the case for you, then you could be owed compensation. This can be difficult to prove in court, so it’s important that you have a skilled accident lawyer on your side to help you.
- Loss of a loved one – If you lost a loved one in the truck accident, then you should receive compensation to cover funeral costs and the loss of consortium.
We know that compensation won’t be able to heal your injuries or fix your trauma, but it can relieve you of the financial burden you may now be experiencing as a result of the accident and can serve as proof that some form of justice has been served.
If you were a victim of a failure to yield truck accident in North Port or elsewhere in Florida, and you want compensation for your suffering, then you should contact The Law Place and schedule a free consultation. Your chances of winning will be much higher if you have the help of a skilled Florida attorney, so don’t delay – the sooner you get in touch, the more time we’ll have to build your case.
How Do We Gather Evidence to Prove the Other Party Failed to Yield?
A North Port failure to yield accident lawyer will gather the needed evidence to build your case and prove the other party’s liability.
In order to build your case, your attorney will do the following:
- Visit the scene of the accident and look for any evidence that proves what happened, such as skid marks.
- Speak to expert witnesses or reconstruction teams who can utilize their expertise, which will help strengthen the case.
- Examine all of the vehicles involved and use the damage on both of them to work out what may have happened.
- Locate any eyewitnesses of the accident and speak to them.
- Request and go through CCTV footage from the cameras near the accident scene.
What Will The Law Place Do for Me?
If you have been involved in a failure to yield truck accident, then you should get in touch with our law firm to discuss the possibility of seeking compensation. We offer free consultations to all prospective clients. During this case evaluation, we will discuss the truck accident with you and calculate exactly how much compensation you could be entitled to, based on all you’ve endured as a result of the truck accident.
After this consultation, you will then be able to choose whether you want to continue working with The Law Place. If you do, then we will arrange another meeting where we will explore your case in much more detail. Our personal injury lawyers will take charge of your case, working to gather evidence and liaise with all relevant parties. By hiring our attorneys, you will be taking all the stress off your shoulders, meaning that you can relax and focus on healing.
The lawyers at The Law Place all work on a contingency basis, also known as a no-win-no-fee agreement, meaning that you won’t need to pay anything upfront and will only be charged for our services if your case is successful. Any fees that you do incur will merely be deducted from your final settlement. There are no hidden costs with us.
Failure to Yield Truck Accident Lawyer in North Port
Meet the Team
David Haenel leads our failure-to-yield litigation group. He studies Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations on right-of-way training and merges them with Florida traffic statutes so no defense loophole survives. Darren Finebloom turns blind-spot diagrams, event-data recorder downloads, and lane-change logs into clear jury narratives. AnneMarie Rizzo partners with reconstruction engineers to capture skid-mark angles and sight-distance photos the same day you call, while paralegals Rose and Tracy open claims, book doctor visits, and send nightly status texts so clients never feel left behind.
Reviews & Testimonials
“A tractor-trailer merged into my lane without signaling. David uncovered driver-training gaps and recovered every insurance layer.”
“They treated my broken pelvis case like family business. Darren proved the trucker ignored the yield sign and the carrier paid full limits.”
“After a concrete hauler cut me off at a roundabout they explained every step and covered surgeries, rehab, and lost wages.”
Case Studies
Ramp Merge on I-75
A semi failed to yield while joining the freeway and sideswiped a sedan. Event-data recorder logs showed the driver accelerated past the advisory speed sign. Settlement reached for eight hundred seventy-five thousand dollars and the carrier retrained all drivers on ramp protocol.
Stop-Sign Violation in Wellen Park
A box truck rolled through a stop and struck a cyclist. Dash-cam footage and stop-sign sight-line measurements proved the driver had a clear view but never braked. The insurer tendered six hundred fifty thousand dollars and added driver-alert systems to the fleet.
Roundabout Entry on US 41
A dump truck entered a roundabout without yielding to circulating traffic, forcing a minivan into the curb. Drone images and police laser scans showed excess speed. We recovered nine hundred thousand dollars and the contractor installed reminder placards in every cab.
Comprehensive FAQ
What does failure to yield mean under Florida law?
Failure to yield occurs when a driver who must allow another vehicle or pedestrian the right of way enters or crosses a lane anyway. Common situations include stop signs, yield signs, merge ramps, roundabouts, left turns, and flashing yellow arrows. For commercial trucks the consequences are severe because their size and weight amplify crash forces and injuries.
Why are failure-to-yield crashes with trucks so dangerous?
Eighteen-wheelers weigh up to eighty thousand pounds and have large blind spots. When a rig intrudes into an occupied lane smaller vehicles cannot absorb the mass transfer, leading to underride injuries, roof crush, and rollovers. Trucks also take longer to stop, so late corrections rarely prevent impact once the driver realizes the mistake.
Which regulations govern right-of-way training for truck drivers?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation Part 383 requires road-skills training on traffic-control devices and merging. Part 392.2 mandates compliance with all state right-of-way laws. Carriers must document that each driver passed a skills test covering intersections, ramps, and yield situations. Missing certificates or inadequate training manuals support negligence claims.
Who can be held liable in a failure-to-yield truck crash?
The driver may be negligent for ignoring signs, the motor carrier for poor training or unrealistic delivery schedules, freight brokers for setting tight pickup windows, and truck manufacturers if poor mirror placement reduces visibility. Government entities share fault when vegetation blocks signs or pavement markings fade. Each party carries separate insurance.
How quickly should evidence be preserved after a crash?
Ramp cameras overwrite in seventy-two hours, and event-data recorders overwrite within thirty-six engine hours. Sending a preservation letter within forty-eight hours locks GPS breadcrumbs, dash-cam footage, driver logs, and maintenance records. Delay risks losing proof of speed, lane position, and sight-distance obstructions.
What immediate steps should I take at the scene?
Call 911 and accept medical evaluation. Photograph yield signs, skid marks, license plates, USDOT numbers, and surrounding traffic control devices. Collect witness contacts and note lighting and weather. Seek medical care even for minor pain, then contact a trucking lawyer promptly so vital evidence and surveillance video are secured.
How does modified comparative negligence affect my claim?
Florida allows recovery if you are less than fifty percent at fault. Carriers may claim you sped or changed lanes abruptly. Reconstruction engineers match skid lengths, dashboard data, and signal timing to limit any fault assigned to you, protecting your compensation.
What damages can I recover?
Victims may claim emergency bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, lost wages, diminished earning power, property damage, pain, suffering, and emotional distress. Catastrophic injuries justify life-care plans for attendant care, mobility equipment, and home modifications. Families of deceased victims pursue funeral costs and future support under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act.
Are punitive damages possible in failure-to-yield cases?
Punitive damages punish reckless disregard, such as drivers who repeatedly ignore yield signs, carriers that skip right-of-way training, or dispatchers who reward illegal shortcut ramps. Courts require clear and convincing evidence, like prior citations or dashboard alerts ignored by management. Punitive claims increase settlement leverage and pressure carriers to reform practices.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal-injury claims is two years from the crash date. If a city or county road design contributed, a notice of claim must be served within six months. Missing these deadlines ends your right to recover, so early legal advice is critical.
Will health insurance pay my bills while the case is open?
Health insurers usually pay first and then assert liens on any settlement. Your lawyer negotiates lien reductions so more money reaches you. Personal Injury Protection covers up to ten thousand dollars regardless of fault, and many carriers hold medical-payments coverage that offsets deductibles during litigation.
How do sight-distance studies help my case?
Engineers measure how far a driver can see down intersecting lanes. If vegetation, signage, or grade hides oncoming traffic, responsibility may shift to property owners or municipalities. Sight-distance reports counter defense claims that you appeared suddenly and help apportion fault correctly.
What role do dash-cams and telematics play?
Many fleets equip trucks with inward and outward cameras and speed governors. Telematics record steering inputs and brake events. Syncing video timestamps with event-data logs shows whether the driver looked, signaled, or braked. Objective digital evidence convinces adjusters and jurors faster than witness recollection.
Can pedestrians and cyclists recover after a failure-to-yield truck crash?
Yes. Pedestrians and cyclists enjoy right-of-way protections at crosswalks and bike lanes. Witness statements, bike-computer GPS, and signal-phase timing prove the truck driver ignored signs or markings. Florida’s modified comparative negligence applies, so gathering evidence quickly is vital to limit any fault assigned to the vulnerable road user.
How long does a failure-to-yield truck case take?
Clear-liability crashes with completed treatment may settle in eight to ten months. Disputed liability, severe injuries, or multiple excess policies can extend litigation to fifteen or eighteen months. Deposition schedules and trial dates usually prompt serious negotiation before jury selection.
Does filing a claim raise my auto premiums?
Using the at-fault carrier’s liability coverage typically does not affect your premiums. Your insurer adjusts rates only if you claim collision benefits or are found mainly at fault. Successful liability recovery that repays your carrier helps keep premiums stable.
What expert witnesses strengthen my claim?
Accident-reconstruction engineers calculate speed, stopping distance, and lane position. Human-factors experts explain mirror-scan deficiencies and decision perception reaction times. Economists project lifetime wage loss, and life-care planners price future medical needs. Credible experts translate technical data into language jurors understand, boosting settlement value.
What does it cost to hire your firm?
Representation is contingency based. You owe no fee unless we recover money. Standard fees are one-third before litigation and forty percent if a lawsuit is filed. We advance all costs, including expert fees and drone photography, and you reimburse them only from a successful settlement or verdict.
Why choose a North Port attorney for a failure-to-yield truck crash?
Local counsel knows Sarasota County judges, jury tendencies, and defense lawyers. Quick access to crash scenes and regional witnesses speeds evidence collection. Familiar ties with area medical providers streamline treatment and expert referrals, helping you heal physically and financially.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
Bring the crash report, photos, medical records, hospital bills, insurance cards, repair estimates, pay stubs, and any letters from carriers or adjusters. If you have dash-cam or surveillance video, bring copies. Complete documentation lets our team send preservation letters immediately and begin building a persuasive claim.
The Law Place Is Here to Help
If you or a loved one have been a victim of a failure to yield truck accident, then you should contact The Law Place today. With over 75 years of combined experience in dealing with the Florida legal system and helping clients fight for justice, you can trust that our lawyers will be able to guide and support you through the complex process. By hiring The Law Place, you will be giving yourself the best chance at securing compensation.
So call us today to schedule a free case evaluation at (941) 444-4444! Phone lines are open 24/7.
