Liability In A Florida Roundabout Accident
According to FDOT, there are about 300 roundabouts on local roads throughout Florida. It is believed that roundabouts improve overall safety mainly because they improve traffic flow. However, the reality is roundabout accidents happen quite a lot in Florida. Many drivers in Florida do not know what to do while driving in a roundabout. For example, some drivers refuse to yield to other cars, and others fly into roundabouts at high speeds. Such behaviors can result in serious accidents.
If you have been in a roundabout accident in Florida, keep reading to learn about, among other things, liability in a Florida roundabout accident.
What Are the Rules of Driving in a Roundabout?
In Florida, drivers need to adhere to several rules when driving in a roundabout. Failure to adhere to these rules can result in serious accidents. The following are some of the laws of driving in a Florida roundabout;
- When approaching a roundabout, drivers are required to slow down.
- Drivers are supposed to use their signals to communicate their intent the same way they would in any other intersection.
- Drivers must yield the road to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
- Drivers must yield to oncoming traffic before entering a roundabout.
- Drivers must not stop when inside a roundabout.
- A driver approaching a roundabout must yield to drivers already in the roundabout.
- Once in the roundabout, a driver must remain in their lane until they exit.
It is crucial for drivers to follow these and the other rules of using roundabouts to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, the truth is that roundabouts tend to confuse drivers. For instance, some drivers get confused about which lane they should be in, and others get confused about when to yield.
Causes of Roundabout Accidents
Apart from roundabout accidents happening because of the failure to abide by the rules outlined in the previous section, other causes of roundabout accidents include;
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Reckless driving
Liability in a Florida Roundabout Accident
The laws concerning roundabouts are relatively new, and it can be more difficult to determine fault in a roundabout accident. For this reason, if you were in a roundabout accident, it is best that you work with a qualified attorney.
That said, after a Florida car accident happens in a roundabout, both parties’ actions will be taken into consideration. That is because Florida uses a comparative negligence system in determining who is liable in a car accident. If you were in a roundabout accident with another driver, it will not only be about the other driver’s actions. Your actions, too, will be considered. If it is determined that the other driver is solely to blame for your accident, then only they will be held liable for your injuries and damages. However, if it is determined that you did something that contributed to your roundabout accident happening, the other driver will be held only partially liable for your injuries and damages.
Legal Help Is Available
If you are a victim of a roundabout accident, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help defend you. We can help you prove fault on the other driver’s part. And even if you are partially to blame for your accident, we can still help you recover compensation. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Bradenton, Tampa, Miami, Jacksonville, and Ocala areas.
Source:
fdot.gov/agencyresources/Roundabout
