Failure to Yield Is the Leading Cause of Crashes in Beaufort County
Nearly 1 Crash Out of 4 in Beaufort County Involves a Yield Mistake
Every morning, drivers merge onto Bay Street expecting a routine commute. Instead, nearly one in four Beaufort County collisions happen because a driver failed to yield. In 2022, 964 of 3,726 reported crashes—almost 26%—resulted from ignored right‑of‑way rules.
Statewide, more than 29,000 collisions and 99 deaths each year trace back to the same mistake, according to The Island Packet’s guide on South Carolina right‑of‑way and yield laws. Why does “who goes first” keep tripping up otherwise careful drivers?
At Twenge + Twombley Law Firm, our South Carolina car accident lawyers know that failure-to-yield crashes aren’t just statistics—they’re life-altering events. We help injured victims in Beaufort County and across the Lowcountry fight for the compensation they deserve when careless drivers fail to obey right-of-way laws. If you were hurt in a crash caused by someone else’s mistake, we’re here to help you hold them accountable and move forward with confidence.
Why Smart Drivers Still Slip Up
Real-world driving is far messier than the rulebook due to:
- Split-second misjudgments: It only takes one wrong estimate of another car’s speed.
- Distractions on the road: A glance at a GPS or dashboard can cost more than a missed turn.
- Hidden or worn signs: Faded stop and yield signs add dangerous guesswork.
Even the most cautious motorists in Beaufort County fall prey to these everyday hazards.
What ‘Yield’ Really Means and Why Drivers Get It Wrong
Many drivers treat yield signs like a suggestion or slow roll-through, especially when they think they have enough time to merge or cross. But under South Carolina law, yielding means giving the right of way to any vehicle or pedestrian already in the intersection or close enough to pose a hazard. That means stopping if necessary, even if there’s no stop sign.
Assuming the other driver will slow down, or trying to “beat the gap,” leads to thousands of preventable collisions each year. A moment of impatience or overconfidence can cause serious injury and put you at fault in the eyes of the law. Knowing when and how to yield isn’t just courteous driving; it’s a legal responsibility that protects lives.
South Carolina Right‑of‑Way Rules Made Simple
Learn these critical rules to keep you and your passengers safe, and out of the crash statistics:
1. Uncontrolled Intersections: The first car to arrive goes first. If you arrive at the same time, yield to the driver on your right.
2. Stop Signs: Come to a complete stop at the stop sign. Proceed only when no other vehicles or pedestrians are approaching.
3. Yield Signs: Slow down and proceed only when the way is clear.
4. Left Turns: Always wait for oncoming traffic to pass before making a left turn.
5. Traffic Lights: Green means go only if the intersection is clear. Yellow means stop if it is safe to do so. Red means stop completely, then proceed only if it’s legal.
The Hidden Price of a Single Error
A failure‑to‑yield crash doesn’t just mean a crumpled fender. Victims face:
- Sky-high medical bills for emergency care and therapy
- Lost wages while recovering at home
- Emotional strain from insurance battles and fear of driving again
No one should bear that burden alone, especially when the collision wasn’t their fault.
How a Beaufort County Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Failure‑to‑yield crashes aren’t just fender‑benders—they can leave you facing medical bills, lost income, and insurance companies that won’t play fair. That’s why you need a Beaufort County car accident lawyer—someone who knows both the traffic laws that protect you and the tactics insurers deploy to minimize your payout after a collision.
At Twenge + Twombley Law Firm, our attorneys handle every aspect of your case:
- We partner with top crash reconstruction experts to determine exactly who had the right of way.
- We gather every piece of evidence—from traffic‑camera footage to eyewitness accounts—to build an unshakeable claim.
- We negotiate fiercely with insurers for the full compensation you deserve, and if they refuse, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.
We offer legal representation to accident victims on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing unless we win.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a failure‑to‑yield crash, don’t face the aftermath alone. Contact Twenge + Twombley Law Firm to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We serve Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head Island, and all of South Carolina’s Lowcountry—standing by your side, every step of the way.
“I was referred to this law firm through a family member about two years ago. My experience with them was EXCELLENT. They listen to your issues, very quick with getting back to you. Their knowledge of the justice system for my family has been more exceptional with all we have gone through in our time of need. They were with us every step of the way through this process.” —Jacquette Robinson, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐