Texas drivers must always yield to traffic officers and follow their instructions.
Deputy Directing Traffic Struck, Injured by Hit-and-Run Driver on the Northwest Side
According to a KSAT News report, a deputy is recovering from minor injuries following a hit-and-run on the Northwest Side yesterday evening.
The BSCO reported the accident happened at around 5:15 p.m. on October 3rd at Warzbach near Vance Jackson on the Northwest Side. An off-duty deputy was working traffic control in front of the St. Matthew Catholic Church when he was struck by a passing vehicle and stuck to the hood. A private citizen who was exiting the church stopped in front of the vehicle to allow the officer to get off of the vehicle, and the car sped away shortly after. The officer suffered minor injuries to the head but is expected to fully recover. The hit-and-run driver abandoned their vehicle with a broken windshield in front of a nearby apartment complex, and police have not yet located them.
Did You Know?
Fatal vehicle accidents involving traffic officers decreased by 27% between 2022 and 2023.
Failure to Yield Accidents in San Antonio
Failing to properly yield to emergency and other vehicles can result in a ticket (or an accident in some cases) in San Antonio.
Texas law is specific on exactly what drivers must do when approaching a yield sign, intersection, emergency vehicle, or merging with traffic. You probably learned all of this in driving school, but a quick refresher on specifics can save you from a hefty fine in traffic court.
When to Yield in San Antonio
There are many situations when drivers are required to yield, including:
- Emergency Vehicles — Whenever their lights or sirens are on, even when stopped on the side of the road,
- Pedestrians — In almost every scenario, the pedestrian has the right of way,
- School Buses — Traffic in all directions must stop for a school bus when stop signs are extended,
- Turning Left — Drivers making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic, even if they have a green light (unless in a protected left turn lane),
- Entering a Highway — Drivers must yield to highway traffic when entering a highway.
- Traffic Officers — Drivers must obey traffic officer instructions, even if the instructions would usually be breaking traffic laws.
Failure to Yield Accidents
If a driver violates yield laws and causes an accident, they can face many penalties, including:
- Fines,
- Two to Three Points on Your License (depending on if an accident occurred),
- Or a Class C Misdemeanor Conviction.
Drivers who cause accidents can also face civil consequences in the form of a personal injury lawsuit if anyone is hurt, regardless of any criminal convictions.
Injured in a Failure to Yield Accident in San Antonio? Call Shaw.
If you were hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to damages, such as:
- Ambulance Costs,
- ER Treatment,
- Medical Bills,
- Property Damage,
- Surgeries,
- Trauma/PTSD,
- Wrongful Death,
- And More.
We’ll help you find out if you have a case for free.
Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 to talk to an experienced attorney about your accident. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. Carabin Shaw puts their clients first. We look forward to serving you.