When drivers fail to yield the right-of-way, they often act like it’s a minor mistake. But for motorcyclists, that “small error” can cause life-altering injuries or worse. Left turns in front of bikes, roll-throughs at stop signs, or rushed merges without checking for smaller vehicles are some of the most common causes of serious crashes involving riders.
Unfortunately, many drivers simply don’t see motorcycles or misjudge how fast they’re moving. And when a crash happens, they’re quick to blame the rider, even when the facts clearly show otherwise. Work directly with motorcycle crash lawyers at The Clark Law Office who won’t pass your case to an assistant.
At The Clark Law Office, we’ve handled countless motorcycle accident cases across Michigan, and failure to yield is one of the most frustrating causes we see. This page breaks down what these accidents look like, where they happen, who’s at fault, and how to protect your rights if it happens to you.
What Does “Failure to Yield” Mean in Motorcycle Accidents?
Failure to yield occurs when a driver doesn’t follow right-of-way rules either at an intersection, merge point, or any location where traffic must be shared or taken in turns. While these crashes can happen between any vehicles, motorcyclists are at far greater risk because they’re harder to see and offer less protection in a collision. Common failure-to-yield situations include:
Under Michigan law, drivers must yield the right-of-way when required even if they “didn’t see the motorcycle.” Failing to do so is a form of negligence, and it can make them legally responsible for any resulting injuries.
Where These Crashes Happen Most Often in Michigan
Failure-to-yield crashes involving motorcycles tend to follow predictable patterns. They’re especially common at intersections, on rural roads with limited visibility, and in urban areas where drivers rush to beat traffic. One of the most common scenarios is a driver turning left into the path of an oncoming motorcycle, often without seeing the rider or properly judging their speed. In many cases, the driver simply wasn’t looking for a motorcycle or misjudged how fast the rider was going. Understanding where these crashes happen most often can help you stay alert and build a stronger case if you’re injured.
Even at lower speeds, these crashes can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, and long-term damage. And because motorcycles often appear smaller or “farther away” to drivers, riders often take the brunt of the impact even when they had the clear right-of-way.
Why Motorcyclists Are Especially at Risk in Yield-Related Crashes
Even when motorcyclists follow the rules of the road, they’re often invisible to drivers who fail to yield. That’s because many drivers don’t consciously register motorcycles the same way they notice larger vehicles. The result? Misjudged gaps, unsafe turns, and devastating impacts. Here’s why failure-to-yield accidents are so dangerous for motorcyclists:
This combination of low visibility, minimal protection, and biased assumptions makes failure-to-yield crashes some of the most high-risk collisions for motorcyclists in Michigan.
How Fault Is Determined in Failure to Yield Motorcycle Accidents
In Michigan, failure to yield is more than just a traffic violation, it’s often clear legal evidence of negligence. If a driver violated right-of-way rules and caused a crash, they can be held responsible for your injuries and losses. However, proving fault isn’t always straightforward. Drivers may claim they didn’t see you, that you were speeding, or that you “came out of nowhere.” That’s why supporting evidence is crucial to showing what really happened.
Even if the other driver denies fault, this kind of documentation can make the difference between a denied claim and a full recovery. Michigan’s comparative fault laws also mean your recovery could be reduced if you’re found partially at fault, so the evidence has to be strong and clear.
Compensation for Victims of Failure to Yield Crashes
A failure-to-yield accident can leave a motorcyclist with life-changing injuries, steep medical bills, and weeks or months off work. If a negligent driver caused your crash, you may be entitled to full compensation for both your financial and non-financial losses. These crashes often occur at busy or poorly controlled intersections, where determining fault can depend heavily on witness statements and traffic patterns. Your case value will depend on the severity of your injuries, your recovery time, and the strength of the evidence proving fault.
Depending on your case, you may also qualify for loss of consortium, disfigurement damages, or wrongful death compensation if a loved one was killed in the crash.
Talk to a Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer If a Driver Failed to Yield
If you were hit by a driver who ignored right-of-way laws, you have the right to seek compensation and legal help can make all the difference. At The Clark Law Office, we’ve represented countless injured motorcyclists in Michigan and understand the unique challenges riders face when drivers claim, “I didn’t see them.”
We don’t just handle your case, we build it from the ground up with evidence, expert input, and personal attention. You won’t get passed off to a case manager or junior associate. You’ll work directly with a lawyer who rides, who understands motorcycle bias, and who knows how to fight back when you’re unfairly blamed.
🔗 Explore how other wrecks happen on our Types of Motorcycle Collisions page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Failure to Yield Motorcycle Crashes
