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Traffic laws govern Connecticut’s roadways to prevent accidents involving motor vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Failing to yield right-of-way may result in a driver’s insurance company being held responsible for damages. When damages are significant, a Stratford car accident lawyer can assist with legal action.
The right-of-way laws allow one individual to proceed ahead of others in certain situations. Anyone using the roads in Connecticut must obey these laws (Sec. 14-245). For example, at an intersection, the driver with right-of-way has permission to proceed while other travelers must stop and yield to that driver.
The point where two lanes of traffic intersect or two types of road users cross paths is an intersection. The type of intersection will determine who has the right-of-way on roadways in Connecticut.
Drivers approaching traffic circles in Connecticut must yield to a driver already traveling in the circle. Once the traffic has cleared, the driver may proceed into the traffic circle from the intersection. A driver’s actions may be found negligent if they fail to yield right-of-way to traffic moving in the circle.
Stop lights or traffic signals at an intersection will display a green light to the driver who has the right-of-way. A yellow or red light shown to a driver indicates the driver should slow down, yield, or stop for the driver facing a green light who has the right-of-way.
Drivers encountering a stop sign are required to stop. When two drivers are approaching stop signs at an intersection at similar times, the driver arriving and stopping at the intersection first has the right-of-way to continue first. The law allows the right-of-way to be given to the driver to the right if two drivers approach a stop sign simultaneously.
If no signs or lights are present to indicate who has right-of-way at an intersection, every car should stop as if a stop sign were present. The vehicle at the intersection first has the right-of-way while the other vehicles yield.
When roadway signs are present at controlled intersections, pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to passing cars when the sign displays a red light or a signal to wait. In areas not controlled by pedestrian traffic signals, such as crosswalks indicated by lines or markings on the road’s surface, motorized vehicles should stop to allow pedestrians the right of way to cross the road. Drivers passing stopped cars yielding the right-of-way to a pedestrian in an uncontrolled intersection violate pedestrian laws.
Connecticut pedestrian laws are crucial to safety, with pedestrian roadway users often becoming the victims of some of Connecticut’s most tragic roadway accidents. Pedestrians do not always maintain the right-of-way, so all roadway users should become situationally aware.
Common accidents occur when right-of-ways are not observed. Connecticut personal injuries can result from these accidents:
The Connecticut Crash Data Repository (CTCDR) report indicates that 81,000 accidents occurred in intersections over three years, and 34,500 additional accidents were intersection-related.
If you have suffered injuries in a Stratford failure to yield right-of-way accident, contact Connolly Brennan Ralabate, PC, to find the compassionate help you need to recover compensation. A Connecticut right-of-way accident can be life-changing. We offer a free consultation to start you on the road to recovery.