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. Who goes first?
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.
As Marlo also notes, however, many drivers don’t seem to understand how this works. A skit from the comedy series “Portlandia” recognizes this – and takes the situation to the extreme, with each driver waving the other one over and over, until (spoiler alert!) they eventually 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.
What to Do After a 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 both Colorado and Tennessee, you are required to contact the police if there is more than just nominal damage to either vehicle.
The Greer Law Group Can Help if You’ve Been in a Low-Speed Crash
If you have been injured in a crash – whether it’s a low-speed fender-bender at an intersection or one that is more serious – the 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. The 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 the compensation they deserve 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.
META title: Stop Sign Drama | Greer Law Group
Description: Many drivers don’t seem to understand that the person on the right has the right of way at stop signs.
“You go first.” “No, YOU go first!” “That’s okay, you go ahead….” What happens at intersections with stop signs when two drivers arrive at cross streets about the same time can range from the comical to dangerous.
As Marlo Greer points out in her video on this topic (link in the comments), the general rule is this: when two drivers arrive at an intersection with all-way stop signs at the same time, the driver on the right goes first. That driver has the right of way. It’s a very simple rule. But as you probably know, if you’ve been driving for any length of time, it’s a rule that many drivers don’t seem to remember.
If you’ve been in a crash at one of these intersections, you may need help collecting compensation for the damage to your car and any injuries you may have suffered. At the Greer Law Group, we help drivers who have been in these kinds of crashes. Message us to learn more.
