Right of Way Laws in Texas

When multiple road users appear at the same location near the same time, Texas has a variety of laws that instruct which party should go first. These are known as right-of-way laws. If a driver violates a right-of-way law and causes a collision, they may be liable for an accident in San Antonio because they are responsible for following traffic rules.

Right-of-way laws help protect all road users and improve traffic flow. These laws can apply in various situations, including the following:

At Intersections

Intersections can be dangerous traffic points because vehicles traveling in different directions converge. Other road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists may also be present at intersections. Texas laws regarding right-of-way rules at intersections include:

• Stop and yield: Drivers approaching an intersection must stop and yield according to posted signs and lights. If the traffic light is not working, drivers must treat it as a stop sign.
• Uncontrolled intersections: If the intersection does not have a traffic control device, approaching drivers must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already in the intersection from their right. They can proceed into the intersection after stopping when it is safe to do so.
• T-intersections: If a driver is approaching an intersection not controlled by a traffic control device from a road that terminates at the intersection, they must yield the right-of-way to drivers on the road that continues.
• Turning left: Drivers turning left at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.
• Private roads, driveways, alleys, and unpaved streets: Drivers on a private road, driveway, alley, or unpaved street must yield the right-of-way to vehicles on the main roadway.

When Encountering Pedestrians

There are also special rules regarding pedestrians:

• Green light: Pedestrians can proceed across a road with a green light but not a turn arrow.
• Red or yellow light: Pedestrians cannot enter a roadway when the light is red or yellow.
• Walk signals: Pedestrians can walk when the walk signal is displayed, and motorists must yield to the right-of-way of crossing pedestrians.
• Don’t walk: Pedestrians cannot begin crossing the roadway when the don’t walk signal is displayed.

Because pedestrians are such vulnerable road users, motorists must keep a watch for them and yield to them even when they are crossing illegally to avoid catastrophic injuries and even death. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident, reach out to our San Antonio pedestrian accident attorneys for legal support.

For Emergency Vehicles

Motorists must yield the right-of-way when approached by emergency vehicles using their lights or sirens, including ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars. They must pull over to the right-hand edge or curb of the road until the vehicle passes.

For School Buses

Motorists must also yield the right-of-way to school buses approaching from either direction when they display a stop sign or flash their lights. They must remain stopped until the bus retracts the sign and continues moving or turns off its flashing lights.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

Understanding Texas’s right-of-way rules is essential to establishing your legal claim for compensation. The San Antonio personal injury attorneys at The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC have more than 20 years of experience handling personal injury claims. We can investigate if another driver violated a right-of-way law and is responsible for your injuries. Call us today for a free consultation.