Breaking One of These Traffic Laws Can Be Grounds for Personal Injury Lawsuit
Driving comes with inherent risks for everyone on the road: drivers, passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Because most of those risks stem from automobile drivers, Florida has numerous traffic safety laws on the books. Breaking one of those laws can be a major factor in a personal injury lawsuit if the motorist’s actions result in injuries. Here are six laws that Florida drivers must follow whenever they’re behind the wheel:
- The general rule is that vehicles must drive on the right side of the road. There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. A road obstruction or lane closure is an obvious example. But drivers are also permitted to pass other drivers going the same direction from the left.
- If you are passing a driver on the left, you cannot return to the right lane until it is safe to do so. In other words, you may not “cut off” another driver. If a driver cuts you off and causes an accident, he or she may be liable in a personal injury lawsuit. Additionally, if you are the driver being passed, you can’t start speeding up as soon as the other driver tries to pass you. You must maintain your speed until the other car completely passes you.
- If you are on a two-lane road (with only one lane in each direction), you may go to the left of the center of the roadway to pass the driver in front of you, but only if the left lane is clearly visible and you can return to your lane without coming within 200 feet of oncoming traffic.
- Florida law permits drivers to pass on the right under certain conditions. For example, you may pass a driver attempting to make a left-hand turn, but only if you can do so without driving off of the marked roadway. You may also pass on the right when the road has two or more lanes moving in the same direction.
- Drivers must maintain a safe distance between their vehicle and the one in front of them, keeping in mind the traffic conditions (like bad weather) and the speed of other drivers. If someone tailgates you and causes an accident, you likely have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
- Texting while driving is against the law in Florida and in the vast majority of states. Numerous studies and practical experience have proven that texting while driving causes accidents. If your vehicle is struck by a texting driver then you will most likely succeed in recovering damages for your injuries.
Contact Us Today
If you can prove that your injury was caused when a motorist broke one of Florida’s traffic laws, you might have a valid personal injury claim. Contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney at The Pendas Law Firm today for a free consultation. We will help ensure you receive the compensation that you deserve.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Orlando, Daytona and Bradenton areas.
Resources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.081.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.305.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.0895.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.084.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.085.html
