What Is a Failure-to-Yield/Intersection Accident in Dallas?
An intersection accident can occur in a variety of ways, but one of the most common causes is a failure to yield intersection incident. These accidents happen when a driver neglects to give the right of way to another vehicle or pedestrian, as required by Texas traffic laws. This failure to yield can result in a yield intersection accident, often leading to significant property damage, injuries, or worse. In Dallas, Texas, these types of accidents are unfortunately all too common, and understanding how they happen is key to avoiding them—and knowing what steps to take if you are involved in one.
Types of Intersection Collisions
Failure to yield intersection accidents can take many forms. Some of the most common include:
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Left-Turn Crashes: When a driver makes a left turn without yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic, it can result in a dangerous and often severe collision. These accidents are a frequent occurrence at intersections in Dallas, especially during busy traffic times.
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Red-Light Accidents: Running a red light is a serious violation of traffic laws in Texas. It often results in a yield intersection accident, where one vehicle runs a red light and collides with another vehicle that has the right of way. These accidents are particularly dangerous due to the speed at which they often occur.
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Failure to Yield Incidents: A failure to yield intersection accident can also happen when a driver doesn’t yield to pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles at intersections. These incidents can result in significant injuries, and Texas drivers are expected to follow right-of-way rules to ensure everyone’s safety.
Understanding Texas Right-of-Way Laws
Texas law is clear about the right of way at intersections. Drivers must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians in specific situations. These laws are designed to prevent accidents and reduce confusion at busy intersections. For instance:
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Left Turns: Drivers making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic unless otherwise indicated by a traffic signal or sign.
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Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, whether the pedestrian is crossing with the light or not.
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Stop Signs and Yield Signs: At intersections marked with a stop or yield sign, drivers must stop or yield to traffic coming from other directions.
Failure to adhere to these rules often leads to a failure to yield intersection accident, causing property damage and injuries to those involved. When this happens, it’s crucial to consult with a Dallas accident lawyer who can help you understand your rights and guide you through the claims process.
Why Intersections Are High-Risk in Dallas
Intersections in Dallas, Texas, are among the most common sites for traffic accidents, including failure to yield intersection accidents. Various factors contribute to the increased risk of collisions at these high-traffic areas. From busy roadways like I-35 and LBJ Freeway to complex signal systems and high pedestrian activity, many elements make intersections in Dallas a particular concern for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
Whether you’re driving through the heart of downtown Dallas or navigating a residential neighborhood, the likelihood of a yield intersection accident can be influenced by a variety of local community factors. Here’s why Dallas intersections are high-risk areas for accidents and how they relate to common failure to yield intersection collisions.
Contributing Factors to Failure to Yield Intersection Accidents in Dallas
Busy Corridors Like I-35 and LBJ Freeway
Dallas is home to several major highways and busy corridors, such as I-35 and the LBJ Freeway, that funnel thousands of vehicles daily. These roads are known for frequent traffic congestion, high speeds, and the complexity of multiple intersecting exits and entrances. High volumes of traffic and merging lanes increase the risk of failure to yield intersection accidents, especially in busy hotspots where quick decision-making is critical. With limited time to assess traffic, drivers may fail to yield or misjudge oncoming traffic, resulting in a yield intersection accident.
Complex Signal Timing and Intersections
The complexity of signal timing in Dallas can also contribute to accidents at intersections. Some areas have intricate light cycles, which can confuse or overwhelm drivers unfamiliar with the traffic patterns. The failure to properly assess when it’s safe to proceed through an intersection often leads to failure to yield intersection accidents. In cases of yield intersection accidents, drivers may not understand when they have the right of way, especially in intersections with non-standard or less-clear signal configurations. Complex intersections can lead to quick decision-making, where a lack of clarity results in dangerous collisions.
Inadequate Signage
In some parts of Dallas, inadequate or poorly positioned signage can further heighten the risk of accidents at intersections. Without clear signals and warnings, drivers may be unaware of specific road rules or important traffic patterns. In particular, failure to yield intersection accidents can occur when drivers don’t see or understand the need to yield at a specific intersection. Poorly marked yield signs or unclear lane assignments contribute to confusion and may lead to yield intersection accidents that result in severe damage or injury.
High Pedestrian and Cyclist Activity
Dallas is a vibrant city with a growing emphasis on walkability and cycling, especially in neighborhoods like Deep Ellum, Uptown, and areas near the Arts District. This increased pedestrian and cyclist activity places extra pressure on drivers to be extra cautious when navigating intersections. When drivers fail to yield to pedestrians or cyclists at crosswalks or intersections, it can result in devastating accidents. Failure to yield intersection accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists often lead to serious injuries, making it crucial for drivers to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
Local Community Hotspots
High-risk intersections in Dallas are often located near community hotspots, including busy retail areas, schools, and entertainment districts. Locations such as Victory Park, Bishop Arts District, and Dallas’ Design District see heavy foot traffic and high vehicular volume. These areas tend to have numerous crosswalks, stop signs, and yield signs, which further increase the likelihood of a yield intersection accident. Drivers unfamiliar with these areas or distracted by nearby attractions may neglect to yield, contributing to a failure to yield intersection accident.
Who Is Liable in Failure to Yield Intersection Accidents in Dallas?
When it comes to yield intersection accidents in Dallas, determining liability is a crucial part of the legal process. Many different parties could be at fault, depending on the specifics of the accident. In failure to yield intersection accidents, the responsible party is typically the one who failed to adhere to traffic laws, such as yielding the right of way or stopping at a red light. Understanding who is liable in these accidents can help victims pursue justice and receive compensation for their injuries and damages.
At Texas Lawyers 365, our experienced Dallas accident lawyers work diligently to identify all at-fault parties in failure to yield intersection collisions, ensuring that you have the best legal representation. Let’s break down the potential at-fault parties in these types of accidents.
Potential At-Fault Parties in Failure to Yield Intersection Accidents
- Negligent Drivers
The most common at-fault party in a yield intersection accident is the driver who fails to yield the right of way. In many cases, drivers fail to notice traffic signs, misjudge the timing of a light change, or simply ignore the rules of the road. A failure to yield intersection accident can occur when a driver disregards a yield sign or cuts off another vehicle without giving them the appropriate right of way.
Negligence can also occur if a driver is distracted, impaired by alcohol or drugs, or speeding. In such cases, the responsible driver may be held liable for any resulting injuries or damages. If you’ve been involved in a yield intersection accident in Dallas, a Dallas accident attorney can help you determine whether the other driver was negligent and should be held accountable.
- Public Transit Operators
Another potential at-fault party in a failure to yield intersection accident is a public transit operator. Dallas is home to a large public transportation network, including buses and light rail. If a bus or train operator fails to yield the right of way, this could result in an accident at an intersection. Public transit drivers are expected to follow traffic laws just like private vehicle operators, and if they fail to do so, they may be liable for any accidents that occur as a result.
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a public transit vehicle, it’s essential to consult a Dallas accident attorney who has experience dealing with public entity liability to ensure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries.
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Commercial Drivers
Commercial drivers, such as truck drivers or delivery drivers, can also be at fault in yield intersection accidents. These drivers may be operating large vehicles that have a longer stopping distance or are more difficult to maneuver in tight spaces. If a commercial driver fails to yield at an intersection, they may be responsible for any resulting collision.
Truck accidents and other commercial vehicle crashes often lead to more severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicle involved. If you’ve been involved in a failure to yield intersection accident with a commercial vehicle, it’s crucial to work with a Dallas accident lawyer to hold the driver and their employer accountable.
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Government Roadway Authorities
In some cases, the government entity responsible for maintaining the roadway may be at fault in an intersection collision. For example, if a yield intersection sign is obscured or a traffic light is malfunctioning, this could contribute to a failure to yield intersection accident. In such instances, the local or state government may be held liable for failing to properly maintain road signs, signals, or other infrastructure.
If you suspect that a government agency’s negligence caused your accident, a Dallas accident attorney with experience in handling claims against government entities can help you navigate the complex process of pursuing compensation.
Comparative Negligence Under Texas Law
Texas follows a comparative negligence rule, which means that liability for an accident can be shared among multiple parties, based on their degree of fault. This is particularly important in failure to yield intersection accidents, where multiple parties may be partially at fault.
For example, if you were involved in a failure to yield intersection accident and were found to be partially responsible for the incident (such as speeding or failing to signal), your compensation could be reduced based on your percentage of fault. However, as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
How a Dallas Car Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case
If you’ve been involved in a failure to yield intersection collision in Dallas, Texas, the process of building your case is essential to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages. A knowledgeable Dallas accident attorney has the local expertise to investigate every aspect of your case, gather critical evidence, and effectively represent your interests.
At Texas Lawyers 365, our Dallas accident attorneys specialize in handling yield intersection accident cases, providing personalized legal support for clients throughout the Dallas area. Here’s how we build a strong case for you:
1. Gathering Police Reports and Collision Reconstruction
The first step in building a strong case for a failure to yield intersection accident is obtaining the police report. Law enforcement officers will usually arrive at the scene of an accident to document what happened, assess the situation, and issue citations. A Dallas accident lawyer will carefully review this report to understand the circumstances of the crash, including factors such as:
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Who was at fault?
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What violations were observed?
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What evidence did the officers collect?
Additionally, Texas Lawyers 365 works with crash reconstruction experts who are familiar with the unique characteristics of Dallas roadways. These professionals can reconstruct the events leading up to the accident, offering invaluable insight into how the collision occurred, who was responsible, and how it could have been prevented.
2. Accessing Traffic Cam or Surveillance Footage from Intersections
In many parts of Dallas, especially in high-traffic areas such as downtown, major intersections, and near popular community hotspots, there may be traffic cameras or surveillance footage available. These cameras can provide essential visual evidence of the failure to yield intersection accident.
A Dallas accident attorney from Texas Lawyers 365 will request access to any relevant traffic camera footage or nearby security camera recordings that may show the events leading up to the accident. This footage can serve as a powerful piece of evidence to demonstrate who was at fault, whether traffic signals or signs were followed, and whether the other driver failed to yield.
3. Interviewing Eyewitnesses (e.g., Nearby Businesses)
In many failure to yield intersection accidents, there are often eyewitnesses who may have seen what happened. These individuals could be pedestrians, drivers in nearby vehicles, or employees of businesses near the intersection. A Dallas accident lawyer will seek out these witnesses, interview them, and gather statements about the crash. Eyewitness testimonies can provide additional perspectives on how the accident occurred and may offer critical details that help clarify the events.
For example, if your yield intersection accident occurred near a popular local restaurant or retail store, a business owner or employee may have seen the other driver fail to yield, providing support for your version of the events. Gathering witness statements helps build a stronger case and provides a more complete picture of the situation.
4. Working with Crash Reconstruction Experts Familiar with Dallas Roads
One of the most important aspects of building a solid case in a failure to yield intersection collision is working with crash reconstruction experts who are familiar with Dallas roads and intersections. These professionals can analyze the specific details of your case, such as:
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The speed at which vehicles were traveling
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The impact angle and force of the collision
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The visibility of traffic signs, signals, and markings
By working with local experts who understand the nuances of Dallas traffic patterns, a Dallas accident attorney can ensure that all key details are thoroughly examined and factored into your case. These experts can also assist in determining whether factors such as road design, traffic signal malfunction, or even poor signage contributed to the accident.
5. Proving Liability and Seeking Compensation
Once all the evidence is gathered and analyzed, Texas Lawyers 365 will work to prove liability and help you seek the compensation you deserve. Whether your failure to yield intersection accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, a commercial vehicle, or faulty infrastructure, our Dallas accident lawyers will take a strategic approach to build a compelling case on your behalf.
Our Dallas accident attorneys will also work with medical professionals to assess the full extent of your injuries, ensuring that your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages are taken into account when pursuing compensation. By combining local expertise, investigative techniques, and a thorough understanding of Dallas traffic laws, we fight to ensure that you receive the justice you deserve.
Types of Damages You Can Recover in a Yield Intersection Accident in Dallas
If you’ve been involved in a failure to yield intersection accident in Dallas, Texas, it’s crucial to understand the types of compensation, or damages, that you can recover. Whether you’ve sustained injuries, damage to your vehicle, or emotional distress, a skilled Dallas accident attorney can help you pursue the justice and financial recovery you deserve. At Texas Lawyers 365, we focus on getting you the compensation you need to move forward with your life after a yield intersection accident.
Medical Bills and Rehabilitation Costs
Injuries resulting from a failure to yield intersection accident can lead to extensive medical treatments. This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Dallas is home to many reputable hospitals and medical clinics that provide high-quality care for accident victims, including Parkland Health & Hospital System, Baylor University Medical Center, and numerous private healthcare providers.
A Dallas accident lawyer will work to ensure that all your medical expenses are covered, from initial emergency care to long-term rehabilitation costs. If your injuries require ongoing treatment or therapy, your Dallas accident attorney will factor these expenses into your claim. This also includes costs for any specialized medical treatment or therapy you may need to fully recover from your injuries.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
A yield intersection accident can have long-term financial consequences, particularly if you are unable to work due to your injuries. If your ability to earn a living is impaired, either temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
If your injuries prevent you from returning to work, whether temporarily or permanently, a Dallas accident lawyer will help calculate your lost wages and future income losses. We’ll work with experts to determine the extent of the impact on your ability to earn a living, ensuring you receive compensation for both current and future financial losses.
Pain & Suffering and Emotional Distress
Accidents, especially failure to yield intersection collisions, can cause significant physical and emotional pain. In addition to your medical bills and lost wages, you may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain you’ve endured and the emotional distress caused by the accident. Pain and suffering damages compensate for both the physical discomfort and the mental anguish that result from the accident.
Dallas accident attorneys at Texas Lawyers 365 understand the impact of emotional distress and work diligently to advocate for the full extent of your suffering. This includes anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other emotional consequences stemming from the traumatic experience of being in an accident. Our goal is to ensure that you are fairly compensated for the pain and suffering caused by someone else’s negligence.
Vehicle Damage, Rental, and Personal Property Losses
In a yield intersection accident, your vehicle may be damaged or completely totaled. The cost of repairs or replacement can be significant. A Dallas accident lawyer will work to ensure that the damages to your vehicle are fully compensated, including the costs of repair or replacement.
Additionally, if your car is out of commission due to the accident, you may need a rental car to get around while your vehicle is being repaired or replaced. Rental expenses can also be included in your claim for compensation. Texas Lawyers 365 will help ensure that all these expenses are covered, as well as any other personal property losses, such as damage to electronics, clothing, or other items that were inside the vehicle during the crash.
Possible Punitive Damages in Severe Failure to Yield Intersection or Red-Light Violations
In some cases, if the other driver’s behavior was particularly reckless or egregious, you may be entitled to punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the responsible party for their actions and serve as a deterrent to others who may commit similar offenses in the future. This is typically awarded in cases involving failure to yield intersection accidents where the other driver was grossly negligent or engaged in dangerous behavior, such as running a red light or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Common Insurance Defense Tactics & How Dallas Attorneys Counter Them
When you’re involved in a yield intersection accident in Dallas, one of the first hurdles you may face is the defense tactics used by insurance companies. While insurance companies are supposed to help cover your expenses, they often work to reduce the amount of compensation they pay out. They may use various defense strategies to argue that you are at least partially at fault or that your damages are not as severe as you claim.
At Texas Lawyers 365, our Dallas accident lawyers are well-equipped to handle the tactics used by insurance companies and will fight for the full compensation you deserve. Let’s look at some common defense strategies used by insurance companies in failure to yield intersection collisions, as well as how we counter them.
1. Blaming Driver Actions: Speeding or Distraction
One of the most common defense tactics used by insurance companies in yield intersection accidents is to claim that the driver was speeding, distracted, or otherwise driving negligently before entering the intersection. Insurance companies may argue that the accident occurred due to the driver’s behavior rather than the other party’s failure to yield.
For example, an insurance company might assert that the driver was speeding before entering the intersection, making it impossible for the other driver to yield in time, or they might argue that the driver was distracted by their phone or another device, which led to the accident.
How Dallas Accident Attorneys Counter This Defense
A skilled Dallas accident attorney from Texas Lawyers 365 will collect and analyze all available evidence to rebut this claim. Our approach includes:
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Gathering Police Reports: The official police report often includes detailed information about the circumstances leading up to the accident, including any citations issued, speed limits, and whether the driver was at fault. Our Dallas accident attorneys will carefully review these reports to ensure they are in your favor.
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Traffic Camera and Surveillance Footage: In many areas of Dallas, intersections are equipped with traffic cameras or nearby businesses may have security cameras that captured the event. Our attorneys will secure this footage to verify the speed and behavior of all parties involved in the yield intersection accident.
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Expert Testimony: We work with expert witnesses such as accident re-constructionists who can analyze the details of the crash and offer testimony that refutes the insurance company’s claims of speeding or distraction. Their expertise can demonstrate how the accident unfolded, including proving that the other driver’s failure to yield caused the crash, regardless of your actions.
2. Citing Pre-existing Injuries
Another common defense tactic used by insurance companies is to argue that your injuries are not related to the yield intersection accident at all, but rather were pre-existing conditions or injuries that were aggravated by the accident. Insurance companies often claim that the pain or suffering you’re experiencing is due to previous injuries rather than the impact of the crash.
For example, if you’ve had a prior back injury or knee surgery, the insurance company may argue that your current pain is not a result of the failure to yield intersection accident but instead stems from the earlier injury.
How Dallas Accident Attorneys Counter This Defense
Our Dallas accident lawyers know that the defense’s argument about pre-existing injuries can be a tactic to minimize your compensation. Here’s how we fight back:
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Medical Records and Documentation: We’ll gather your full medical history and work with your doctors to establish a clear link between your injuries and the yield intersection accident. Our attorneys will present expert testimony and medical evidence to demonstrate that the crash aggravated your condition or caused entirely new injuries.
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Independent Medical Examination (IME): If necessary, we may request an independent medical examination by a neutral medical professional who can assess the extent of your injuries and confirm whether they were caused by the accident or a pre-existing condition.
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Documenting the Severity of New Injuries: If your injuries are clearly more severe after the accident, we’ll work to prove that the crash was the primary cause of your pain and suffering. We’ll show that your injuries have worsened and affect your daily life, providing tangible evidence that the accident is responsible for the injuries you’re now experiencing.
3. Claiming Comparative Negligence
Insurance companies may also attempt to use Texas’ comparative negligence rule against you. They might argue that you were partially at fault in the failure to yield intersection accident and that your compensation should be reduced accordingly. For instance, they could say that while the other driver failed to yield, you contributed to the collision by failing to stop in time, driving too fast, or not paying attention to traffic signs.
How Dallas Accident Attorneys Counter This Defense
Texas follows the comparative negligence rule, meaning that even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Our Dallas accident lawyers will work hard to minimize your degree of fault and ensure that you’re not unfairly held responsible. We do this by:
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Gathering all Evidence: By collecting and analyzing police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and expert testimony, we ensure that the full details of the yield intersection accident are accurately represented. This helps to clarify whether you were at fault or if the other driver’s failure to yield was the primary cause of the collision.
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Fighting for Fair Compensation: If your failure to yield intersection accident is partly your fault, we’ll fight to reduce your percentage of liability. Our goal is to ensure you are compensated fairly, even if the insurance company attempts to shift responsibility onto you.
Time Limits and Government Entity Claims in Dallas
If you’ve been involved in a yield intersection accident in Dallas, Texas, it’s crucial to understand the time limits for filing a claim. In Texas, these time limits, known as the statute of limitations, dictate how long you have to file a lawsuit after an accident. Understanding these time restrictions is vital to protecting your rights and ensuring that you are able to recover the compensation you deserve.
Texas Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims
In Texas, the general statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including those arising from failure to yield intersection collisions, is two years. This means that you must file a lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident to seek compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses.
If you do not file your claim within this time frame, you may lose the right to recover compensation. It’s important to note that while two years is the standard time limit for most Dallas accident attorney cases, there are exceptions and specific procedures to follow when dealing with certain types of accidents, such as those involving government entities.
Claims Against Government Entities (City, County, or State)
If your failure to yield intersection crash involves a government vehicle—such as a DART bus, city fleet vehicle, or state-owned vehicle—the rules for filing a claim are different and more stringent. In these cases, there are additional requirements and shorter time limits for notifying the government agency of your claim.
Shorter Notice Requirements
Unlike standard personal injury cases, where you have two years to file a lawsuit, claims against government entities require you to provide notice of your claim much sooner. Under Texas law, if you are seeking compensation for an accident involving a DART bus, Dallas city vehicle, or another state or local government vehicle, you generally must provide formal notice of claim within six months of the accident.
This six-month notice period is critical and should not be missed, as failing to notify the appropriate government entity within this timeframe could bar you from pursuing your claim. A Dallas accident lawyer with experience in government-related accidents will ensure that the proper notice is submitted in accordance with the law.
Filing a Claim Against Government Entities
Once the appropriate notice has been submitted, the government entity may have a period of time (often up to 90 days) to respond. If the government entity denies the claim or fails to respond, you can then move forward with filing a lawsuit in court. However, this process is often more complex and requires specific procedures, so having a skilled Dallas accident attorney on your side is crucial.
3. Navigating the Legal Process with a Dallas Accident Lawyer
Given the complexities of filing a claim against a government entity, especially when it involves failure to yield intersection accidents with city, county, or state vehicles, having an experienced Dallas accident lawyer can make all the difference. Our Dallas accident attorneys at Texas Lawyers 365 are well-versed in the specific rules and procedures surrounding government claims. We’ll help you navigate the notice requirements, file the proper paperwork, and ensure that your claim is handled efficiently and in compliance with Texas law.
4. Why Timing Matters for Your Case
The importance of filing your claim on time cannot be overstated. In addition to the two-year statute of limitations for standard personal injury claims, the six-month notice requirement for claims against government entities means that swift action is required to protect your legal rights. Our Dallas accident lawyers are committed to ensuring that all deadlines are met, giving you the best chance of securing fair compensation for your yield intersection accident.
Why Choose Our Law Firm in Dallas
At Texas Lawyers 365, we specialize in representing victims of failure to yield intersection accidents throughout Dallas. With years of experience handling these types of cases, our Dallas accident lawyers are committed to providing the best legal support to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Deep Experience with Intersection and Failure-to-Yield Cases
Our team has extensive experience with failure to yield intersection cases in Dallas. We understand the complexities of Texas traffic laws and know how to gather the evidence needed to support your claim. Whether it’s proving another driver’s negligence or navigating complicated accident scenarios, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Local Knowledge of Dallas Traffic Patterns
We have a deep understanding of Dallas’ traffic patterns and high-risk areas, from Uptown Dallas to major highways like I-35 and LBJ Freeway. This local knowledge allows us to effectively build your case and address the specific factors that contributed to your yield intersection accident.
No Upfront Fees—Contingency Basis
At Texas Lawyers 365, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us unless we win your case. This allows you to focus on recovering while we handle the legal complexities without worrying about upfront costs. We’re available 24/7 to provide the personalized support you need. Whether you have urgent questions or need advice at any point, our Dallas accident attorneys are here to help and keep you informed throughout the process.
If you’ve been in a failure to yield intersection crash in Dallas, call 800-800-8000 now or fill out our form for free consultation. Let us guide you through the legal process and secure the compensation you deserve.
