Failure To Yield?

[Ridpath]

My father was recently involved in a car accident at an intersection. He was waiting to turn left. His light turned yellow, and then red. He was in the intersection. One of the cars across from him was coming to a stop and the other was a few yards back. He proceeded through the light.  The lady who was a few feet back ran the light and total our car. She then continued on to hit 2 other cars.  My dad is being sited with causing the accident due to failure to yield. Is this something we can fight as he "failed to yield" to a woman running a red light?

[Delane]

Nicole,

You should talk to an attorney who specializes in traffic defense in the state where you live as he will know the specifics of the traffic laws as well as the judicial climate there.

A lot will depend on the statements from the witnesses(hopefully the Police recorded the names of everyone). If the light had changed to red while your father was in the intersection, then he is allowed the opportunity to leave the intersection safely.(He is not fair game for other drivers to run in to just because they may have a green light.) Was the other driver cited for running the red light? That can have a big impact on what eventually works it way out.

The issues are sufficiently cloudy that you should consider contesting the citation. Best of luck and I hope your father is OK.

Hope this helps.

Kevin Hromas

JD, EGA, RPA, PLCS, HCRI-R/C, CPIU

Kevin Hromas & Associates

... A Division of US Insurance Information LLC

www.KevinHromas.com

[wesley64]

My father was recently involved in a car accident at an intersection. He was waiting to turn left. His light turned yellow, and then red. He was in the intersection. One of the cars across from him was coming to a stop and the other was a few yards back. He proceeded through the light.  The lady who was a few feet back ran the light and total our car. She then continued on to hit 2 other cars.  My dad is being sited with causing the accident due to failure to yield. Is this something we can fight as he "failed to yield" to a woman running a red light?