Right-of-Way Rules at 4-Way Stops: A California Driver’s Guide

You pull up to a four-way stop. So do three other drivers—each inching forward, unsure who goes next. It’s awkward, tense, and one wrong move could mean a honk, a fender bender, or worse.

Four-way stops are meant to reduce risk. But confusion about who has the right-of-way often leads to near-misses—or real accidents. Add in a pedestrian or cyclist, and the situation becomes even more unpredictable.

Understanding how four-way stops work isn’t just about passing a driving test. It’s about protecting yourself legally, staying alert behind the wheel, and avoiding liability if something goes wrong. At intersections where visibility is limited and timing matters, one mistake can cause serious consequences.

This guide covers what you need to know to stay safe, avoid common errors, and understand your legal responsibilities if an incident occurs.

What is a four-way stop?

A four-way stop is an intersection where all approaching directions face stop signs. Every driver must come to a complete stop before proceeding—no rolling stops, no inching forward, and no assumptions. California law is clear: you stop, yield, and only then do you go.

Unlike intersections governed by traffic lights, four-way stops require mutual cooperation and clear judgment. Drivers must rely on right-of-way rules, eye contact, and patience—not green lights—to stay safe and avoid collisions.

In California, four-way stops are common in residential zones, school areas, and smaller intersections that don’t warrant signal lights but still demand control. These intersections are meant to slow traffic, reduce the risk of side-impact crashes, and give everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians—a fair and safe opportunity to proceed.

Key takeaways:

• Every vehicle must come to a full stop at the marked stop line, before the crosswalk, or at the edge of the intersection.
• Signage will often include “4-Way” or “All-Way” markers beneath the stop sign to clarify that all directions are equally regulated.
• You must yield according to California’s right-of-way laws, which we’ll cover in the next section.

Four-way stops work well—when everyone understands the rules. But when someone doesn’t, the risk of accidents and legal liability rises fast.

Understanding Right-of-Way Rules

Right-of-way laws at four-way stops are designed to create predictability and prevent collisions. But confusion over who goes first is one of the top causes of intersection-related accidents. Here’s how California drivers can navigate these rules with confidence and legal clarity.

First-Come, First-Served

The simplest rule: the first driver to stop is the first to go. If you arrive before another vehicle, you have the right-of-way—regardless of which direction you’re headed.

Example:

You stop at the intersection. Another driver pulls up after you. You go first.

This works well—until multiple cars arrive at the same time.

Yield to the Right

If two vehicles stop at the same time, the driver on the right has the right-of-way. This is true regardless of which direction either vehicle is heading.

Example:

You and another driver arrive together. They’re on your right. Let them go first.

Failing to yield here often leads to broadside collisions—a common source of personal injury claims.

Straight Over Turning

When two drivers face each other, and one intends to turn while the other goes straight, the vehicle going straight has the right-of-way.

Example:

You’re going straight. The oncoming driver is turning left. You go first.

Left turns must yield because they cross the path of oncoming traffic. This is not just good practice—it’s state law.

Right Turn Before Left Turn

If two drivers face each other and both plan to turn, the one turning right has priority over the one turning left.

Example:

You’re turning left. The other driver is turning right. Let them go first.

Right turns are tighter and don’t cross as many traffic lanes—so they move more quickly and with less risk.

Four Vehicles Arrive at Once

It’s rare, but when four cars show up at the same time, things get murky. In this case:

• Yield to your right.
• Use eye contact and clear hand gestures.
• Proceed cautiously—safety and communication matter more than technicality.

If confusion escalates into an accident, determining who failed to yield may require witness testimony or legal help.

Pedestrian Right-of-Way and Legal Obligations

California law is clear: pedestrians have the right-of-way at four-way stops, whether they are in marked or unmarked crosswalks. If someone is crossing—or even just approaching the edge of the intersection—drivers are legally obligated to stop and wait.

This applies even if it’s technically your turn to go. The driver’s duty of care extends to any pedestrian already in the roadway, and failing to yield can lead to citations, lawsuits, or serious injury claims.

Important:

Even in cases of jaywalking, courts may still hold the driver partially or fully liable—especially if they had a reasonable opportunity to stop. In personal injury litigation, this is known as the “last clear chance” doctrine.

Tips for Drivers

✔ Scan both sidewalks before entering the intersection. Don’t just check the road—watch the edges too.

✔ Look twice at night or in poor weather. Pedestrians in dark clothing can be easy to miss.

✔ Make eye contact with anyone on foot. This helps confirm they’ve seen you—and vice versa.

✔ Be cautious with right turns on red. Pedestrians often step into the crosswalk just as you’re preparing to move.

If you were injured while walking or hit at a crosswalk, pedestrian accident legal support from an experienced California attorney can help you understand your options and pursue fair compensation.

Understanding and Anticipating Cyclist Behavior

In California, cyclists are required to follow the same road rules as drivers at four-way stops. This includes:

• Coming to a complete stop
• Yielding based on the order of arrival
• Using hand signals when turning
• Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks

However, in practice, not every cyclist follows the law perfectly. Some may slow-roll through stop signs, filter to the front of a traffic line, or maneuver unpredictably. While these actions may be illegal, the burden still falls on drivers to remain alert and defensive.

Safety Tips for Drivers

✔ Double-check crosswalks and side paths, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.

✔ Slow early when approaching intersections. Cyclists may be harder to spot and more vulnerable to sudden moves.

✔ Don’t crowd cyclists at the stop line. Give them space to balance and execute hand signals safely.

✔ Wait for movement, not assumptions. Just because a cyclist is near the curb doesn’t mean they’re not entering the intersection.

Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users. Failing to yield or anticipate their behaviour can result in severe injuries—and significant legal consequences.

Common Mistakes Drivers Make and How to Avoid Them

Four-way stops require patience, clarity, and mutual awareness. When drivers rush, hesitate, or misjudge the situation, the intersection becomes a hotspot for preventable collisions. Below are the most frequent mistakes and how to steer clear of them.

The Rolling Stop

Also called a “California roll,” this occurs when a driver slows but doesn’t fully stop before entering the intersection. It’s illegal and often leads to confusion—or worse, injury.

How to avoid it:

Bring your vehicle to a complete halt at the designated stop line or before the crosswalk. Pause long enough to confirm you’re fully stopped before proceeding.

Not Knowing the Right-of-Way

Guesswork has no place at a four-way stop. Misunderstanding who moves first leads to hesitation, false starts, and collisions.

How to avoid it:

Memorize the core principles:

• First to arrive, first to go
• Yield to the vehicle on your right
• Let straight-moving traffic go before turning
• Right turns take priority over left when arriving simultaneously

When uncertain, wait—defensive driving is safer than being “technically correct” in a crash.

Trusting Turn Signals Too Much

Turn signals indicate intent, not action. Relying on them too soon can cause you to enter the intersection prematurely.

How to avoid it:

Don’t move based on a blinker alone. Wait for the turning vehicle to commit before proceeding.

Prolonged or Overcautious Stops

Excessively long stops confuse other drivers. They may think you’re waving them through or not paying attention.

How to avoid it:

Once it’s your turn and the intersection is clear, proceed confidently. Defensive driving means being decisive as well as alert.

Changing Lanes in the Intersection

Changing lanes while crossing an intersection disrupts expectations and endangers everyone nearby.

How to avoid it:

Select your lane before entering the intersection—and stay in it until you’ve exited completely.

Distracted Driving

Four-way stops demand your full attention. A glance at your phone or fumbling with the radio is all it takes to miss a pedestrian or misjudge another driver’s move.

How to avoid it:

Put devices away and focus fully on your surroundings. If distracted driving leads to an accident, you may face not only fines—but also distracted driving legal consequences

Legal Guidelines for Four-Way Stops

At any four-way stop, the law is clear: every vehicle must come to a complete stop and follow established right-of-way rules. While slight variations exist from one jurisdiction to another, the fundamental legal expectations remain consistent across California.

Failing to comply with these rules isn’t just risky—it can lead to citations, fines, and points on your license. More serious violations, such as failing to yield resulting in injury, may expose you to civil liability or even criminal charges, depending on the circumstances.

Common legal consequences include:

• Traffic tickets for rolling stops or failing to yield
• Insurance rate increases following a violation or collision
• At-fault determinations in intersection-related accidents
• Civil lawsuits if injuries or damages occur

In California, violating stop sign laws under Vehicle Code § 22450 VC can result in penalties and liability if the failure contributes to a crash. If another party is harmed due to your noncompliance, you could be held personally and financially responsible.

Understanding your obligations—and how they apply in real-world situations—is essential for staying safe and legally protected. If you’re involved in a stop sign-related collision and unsure of your legal standing, our approach to handling personal injury cases can help clarify your rights, evaluate liability, and determine the best path forward.

Most Common Four-Way Stop Accidents

Accidents at four-way stops are more common than many drivers realize—and often more dangerous. These intersections demand full attention and mutual cooperation, but one misstep can lead to serious consequences.

Typical collision types include:

• T-bone (right-angle) crashes: These occur when a driver fails to yield and drives into the side of another vehicle. Side impacts are especially hazardous, often causing head, neck, or spinal injuries.
• Rear-end collisions: Hesitation, abrupt stops, or misjudging who has the right-of-way can cause drivers to brake suddenly, leading to rear-end impacts.
• Pedestrian-involved accidents: Drivers who focus on other vehicles and fail to scan crosswalks may not see someone walking across until it’s too late. Even a slow-moving vehicle can cause serious harm to a pedestrian.
• Cyclist incidents: A failure to recognize cyclists as road users with equal rights and obligations at intersections often results in near misses or crashes.

Root causes often include:

• Rolling stops (instead of full, legal stops)
• Misjudging right-of-way rules
• Distracted or aggressive driving
• Poor visibility or blocked signage

Even when damage seems minor, injuries sustained at intersections can be severe. If you’ve been involved in a four-way stop accident, documenting the scene—photos, witness statements, road markings—can be crucial for proving liability.

Should the situation escalate into a dispute or claim, a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help reconstruct events, establish fault, and pursue fair compensation for your losses.

Who is at fault in a four-way stop accident?

Determining fault after a four-way stop accident often comes down to who broke the rules. Did someone run the stop sign? Did they fail to yield? Was the driver distracted, aggressive, or in too much of a hurry to follow right-of-way laws?

In most cases, the at-fault party is the driver who:

• Rolled through the stop without coming to a complete halt
• Entered the intersection out of turn
• Failed to yield to a pedestrian or cyclist
• Was distracted (e.g., using a phone or adjusting the radio)
• Drove aggressively or ignored signals from other drivers

But establishing fault isn’t always simple. There may be no cameras or independent witnesses. Insurance companies often rely on conflicting accounts, which can delay or even deny valid claims.

That’s why it’s critical to gather and preserve evidence:

• Take photos of vehicle positions, damage, and signage
• Record weather and lighting conditions
• Get statements and contact info from any witnesses
• File a police report if injuries or significant damage occurred

When liability is disputed—or when serious injuries are involved—a skilled personal injury attorney can make the difference. At Prestige Law, we investigate every detail of intersection accidents, work with traffic reconstruction experts if needed, and fight to establish clear legal fault.

Injured at a Four-Way Stop? Prestige Law Firm Is Ready to Represent You

If you’ve been injured in a four-way stop accident—whether it involved a driver running a stop sign, failing to yield, or simply acting carelessly—don’t handle the aftermath alone. Medical bills, missed work, vehicle damage, and insurance pressure can become overwhelming fast.

Prestige Law Firm P.C. is a California-based personal injury firm that understands the stakes of intersection-related crashes. We’ve helped countless clients recover full compensation for injuries caused by negligent or distracted drivers, especially in complex right-of-way disputes.

With over two decades of experience, attorney Paul Aghabala and his team provide:

• Thorough case investigation and evidence gathering
• Strategic negotiation with insurance companies
• Courtroom advocacy when needed
• Personalized attention from start to finish

We handle every case on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win. And because intersection accidents often raise nuanced legal questions, we prioritize clear communication and fast action to protect your rights from day one.

📞 Call: (818) 788-0808 or (661) 341-3939
📧 Email: paul@prestigelaw.com
🌐 Visit: www.prestigelaw.com

Conclusion

Mastering the rules of a four-way stop isn’t just a good habit—it’s essential for staying safe and legally protected on California roads. These intersections demand more than just a full stop; they require timing, awareness, and respect for right-of-way laws involving drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

Mistakes like rolling stops, assuming signals, or ignoring crosswalks don’t just lead to tickets—they can lead to serious injuries and costly legal consequences. Even experienced drivers can benefit from brushing up on four-way stop etiquette to prevent misunderstandings and avoid collisions.

If you’ve already been involved in a four-way stop accident and suspect the other driver didn’t follow the rules, you may be entitled to compensation. Prestige Law Firm can help you understand your options, prove liability, and recover damages.

FAQs

Who has the right-of-way at a four-way stop?

The driver who arrives first has the right-of-way. If two drivers arrive at the same time, the one on the right proceeds first. Always yield to pedestrians already in the intersection.

What happens if four cars arrive at a four-way stop at the same time?

Drivers should yield to the vehicle on their right and proceed one at a time. Making eye contact and using cautious gestures can help reduce confusion.

Do pedestrians have the right-of-way at four-way stops?

Yes. Pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks always have the legal right-of-way. Drivers must yield, even if they technically have priority.

What are common mistakes at four-way stops?

Frequent errors include rolling through stop signs, misjudging right-of-way, over-relying on turn signals, hesitating unnecessarily, and driving while distracted. These mistakes increase the risk of intersection-related accidents.