We handle a lot of car accidents, so questions about right of way are common, especially when it involves intersections or merging. People often do not understand who gets to go first. A very straightforward example of right of way is at an intersection with lights. People, for the most part, understand how our light system works. You stop on red and go on green. You wait your turn. If you drive on red, you do not have right of way. There are also more complicated scenarios.
If you come up to an intersection that has not stop sign, you are supposed to yield to the person that is on your right.
If you are traveling on the highway and a person is preparing to merge off the ramp to your right, you are established in your lane. You have the right of way. They need to wait for you to pass and go behind you. They cannot speed up in front of the other person. If you are established, you have the right of way.
If you are making a left turn at an intersection, you do not have the right of way. This is true, unless the person is speeding. If you are approaching an intersection and make a left turn but the other person, to whom you would normally yield, is going 50 in a 30, they are not going to have the right of way. They are going to lose it.
There is a statute in Minnesota, 169.20, you can view at for more details.
If you have any questions, call or text the car accident lawyers at 612-INJURED at (612) 465-8733 for a free consultation.
