The province of Ontario has unusually strict laws about who has the right of way in a given driving scenario. For drivers and insurers, this means that accident reports and deciding who is at fault for an accident can be much simpler. If you’ve been in an accident, understanding Right of Way law in Ontario can help you determine who was at fault, who is responsible for paying damages, and what impact an accident may have on your insurance premium.
Some Basic Rules for Ontario Drivers
Driving is a simple act that can sometimes be very complicated. So, the Ontario government has created basic at-fault rules to guide drivers in knowing when they have the right of way.
The four-way stop: If a vehicle approaches an intersection with a stop sign on every corner, the vehicle that arrived first has the right of way, and other vehicles should proceed in the order that they arrived. If a vehicle approaches an intersection with no signs, or an intersection where traffic lights are down, the four-way stop rule also applies.
Yield: Drivers must adhere to yield signs and give opposing traffic the right of way. Drivers are required to slow or stop to give the right of way to other drivers. Drivers are obligated to adhere to all yield signs, and to yield to vehicles on the main road when exiting a private driveway or roadway.
Making Left Turns: Any driver making a left turn at an intersection must yield to oncoming traffic, and any pedestrians crossing their path.
Making Right Turns: When making a right turn at an intersection, all drivers must yield to crossing pedestrians, or cyclists who are travelling to the right of the vehicle.
Pedestrian Crossing: When a driver is entering an intersection, most laws protect pedestrians who are crossing and therefore vulnerable. Pedestrians within a crosswalk always have the right of way, and drivers are required to stop before making any turns when a pedestrian is crossing.
If you’ve been injured in an accident where another driver failed to yield the right of way in Ontario, it is important that you have legal representation. With straightforward rules and robust laws for protecting victims of traffic accidents, you can be sure that any of your expenses, lost income, and damages will be recovered through insurance. Speaking with a personal injury lawyer in Chatham, can help you understand the steps you need to take to be sure your rights are protected. They will help you collect the evidence and proof, put the documents in order and file the claim.