Four-way stop right of way comes down to one simple rule when two cars arrive at the same time: the driver on the right goes first. Colorado law says the same thing. When two vehicles reach an intersection at about the same time, C.R.S. § 42-4-701 requires the driver on the left to yield to the vehicle on the right.
Four-Way Stop Right of Way: Who Goes First?
One of the most basic rules of driving is one that many drivers seem to have never learned: what to do when two cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time.
As Marlo Greer points out in her video on this topic, the rule is a simple one. The driver who is on the right is the one who goes first. This rule is easy, it’s universal, and it reduces the chance that the two vehicles will enter the intersection at the same time and collide.
What about the situation where four cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time? In that case, waiting for the person on the right to go first could result in an endless circle of each driver looking to the driver on their right to go first. This is where communicating with the other drivers takes over, and everyone has to sort things out together.
Plenty of drivers still get it wrong, and a skit from the comedy series “Portlandia” takes it to the extreme, with two drivers waving each other on over and over until (spoiler alert!) they collide.
What to Do After a Stop-Sign Crash
If, despite following the “person on the right goes first” rule, you end up in a crash, the one consolation is that these types of impacts are rarely serious. That said, any crash can result not only in damage to the vehicles involved but also in injuries to drivers and passengers. Even a low-speed collision can cause head, neck, or back injuries or broken bones.
Because some injuries don’t reveal themselves until days after the collision, you need to treat even a low-speed “fender bender” seriously. Get the name and contact information of the person who hit you. Take photos of your vehicle and theirs. In Colorado, you must call the police right away after any crash that causes an injury or any property damage. In Tennessee, you must call if anyone is hurt or the damage looks like $50 or more.
For a full checklist, read What to Do After a Car Crash in Colorado: 9 Steps.
Related Reading
- How Is Fault Determined After a Colorado Car Crash?
- Tailgating Crashes in Colorado: Who May Be Liable?
Seriously Injured in a Crash at an Intersection?
If you have been seriously or permanently injured in a crash at an intersection, Greer Law Group can help you make sure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to for your injuries and damages. We can pursue compensation for you from the other driver, and we can negotiate your claim with your own insurance company.
You might think that a low-speed collision is not that big a deal, but it is not unusual for injuries from these types of crashes to linger and affect your quality of life for weeks, months, or even longer. Greer Law Group is here to make sure that you get the compensation and the care that you need. This is what we do. We help injured clients get fair compensation when someone else is to blame. Call us at 303-331-6460, or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation.
