Remember when you first studied to take your driver’s license exam? Even though you’ve been in the car for your whole life, this was the first time you really had to pay attention to the rules.
There was a lot of pressure to score good grades on the written and driving tests. If you passed, you would unlock a whole new level of freedom and independence. If you failed, it would mean having your mom continue to drive you around.
One of the most important lessons for a driver’s test is who has the right of way at a four-way stop. When you consider that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 50% of all car accidents occur at an intersection, and 96% of those crashes are caused by human error, you can appreciate why knowing the right of way is important.
Who Has the Right of Way at a Four-Way Stop?
In addition to all their other duties, the West Virginia legislature also creates traffic laws for drivers in the state. When it comes to the right of way at a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right of way. Technically, that would be the first vehicle to come to a complete stop at the intersection.
It doesn’t matter which of the four roads they are on or where they might be turning.
It’s important to remember that just because that is the law, it doesn’t mean every driver is going to follow those rules. A distracted driver or an aggressive driver could ignore the rules.
That means even if you’re first to stop, you have to be aware of the other cars and their movements.
Who Has the Right of Way If Two Cars Arrive at the Same Time?
What happens when multiple vehicles arrive at the intersection and come to a complete stop simultaneously? The following rules apply to that scenario:
Always Yield to the Right
When two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time and are positioned side by side, the car that is furthest to the right has the right of way.
Straight Traffic Has the Right of Way Over Turning Traffic
If you come to a stop at the four-way stop directly opposite, and another car stops in the same direction, the car that stops first determines who has the right of way. A car that intends to go straight has the right of way over a car with its turn signal on. If there are no turn signals, both cars can go straight through at the same time.
Right Turns Have the Right of Way Over Left Turns
If two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop at the same time and are head-to-head, the car that’s turning right has the right of way. The car turning left needs to wait for the right-turning car to completely pass.
Who Has the Right of Way if Several Cars Approach a Four-Way Stop at the Same Time?
It is possible that four cars will come to a four-way stop at the same time and are all driving straight. In that situation, there is no designated right-of-way rule. You just want to observe who might be the more aggressive driver and let them proceed. You can also play it safe and wave the other drivers on.
What Are the Four-Way Stop Rules for Bicyclists?
In West Virginia, bicyclists are considered vehicles. That means they would have to follow the same right-of-way rules as cars. It is incumbent upon bicyclists to also come to a complete stop at an intersection and not assume the drivers in cars can see them.
When Accidents Happen
Despite following all the rules, you could still find yourself in a collision with another car.
The other driver might think that they have the right of way or blow through the stop altogether. When accidents happen because of another driver’s negligence, you’re entitled to seek compensation for any financial losses you might suffer.
If the driver doesn’t accept blame or you receive a lowball offer from their insurance company, it’s time to consult with an attorney from Forbes Law Offices, PLLC.
We have helped many clients pursue a remedy for a car accident claim. When we agree to work together, you’ll benefit from the full support of our legal team and network of investigators.
Failing to yield to the right-of-way clearly demonstrates negligence.
Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation today, and let’s talk about what happened.
