Intersections can be complex. Many car accidents happen at intersections, including those leading to serious injuries and fatalities. All it takes is one driver to make a mistake to cause a serious accident.
So what should happen when drivers approach a two-way stop? First and foremost, they have to yield the right of way to traffic on the opposing road. Those vehicles do not have to stop and always have the right of way. Drivers at the stop sign have to wait until the way is clear and make a judgment call about when it is safe to turn. If the driver simply turns and cuts off oncoming traffic, then they are at fault for the accident.
Who arrived first?
The next question to ask is who arrived at the intersection first. Say that there are two vehicles facing each other at a two-way stop, with cross traffic between them. When it clears, the driver who arrived first gets to proceed through the intersection. The other driver has to defer to them and then can proceed on their own.
What if they arrived at the same time?
When two drivers arrive at the same time, it depends on which way they intend to turn. If both cars are going straight, they can both just drive through the intersection. If only one driver is going straight, they have the right of way and they get to execute that maneuver first. If a driver is turning right, then they have the right of way over another driver who is turning left.
Have you been injured?
This helps to demonstrate how the rules are supposed to work, but drivers often get it wrong, resulting in significant accidents. If you have been injured, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.