When it comes to safe travel in Florida, traffic signals play an important part in governing how roads are used. Traffic signals need to be understood and followed by motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and anyone else using other modes of transport. When everyone follows traffic signals and is able to adhere to the correct right of way, traffic has more chance of flowing in a predictable way, and the risk of car accidents taking place is reduced.
When a failure to obey traffic signals happens, this can often be due to negligent driving. In legal terms, negligence is defined as ‘behavior that fails to meet the level of care that someone of ordinary prudence would have exercised under the same circumstances.’ This can refer to how a driver may have driven at traffic lights, as well as when a driver may have failed to take appropriate action as per the rules of the road. Florida Statute 768.81 is a helpful reference in understanding more about cases where one or more parties believe negligence to be a cause of an auto accident.
We can give an overview of legal factors to consider in car accidents when there has been a failure to obey traffic signals in this article. If you would like to get more in-depth information and the chance to ask questions specific to a car accident that you or a loved one may have suffered, Port Charlotte car accident lawyers at The Law Place can help in a free consultation. The team offers a legal consultation to anyone who may wish to find out about their options after a car accident in Florida. You can speak to a lawyer near you today when you call (941) 444-4444.
Following the Right of Way on the Road and Why Drivers May Fail to Yield
Being knowledgeable on reading signals on the roads and participating in a flow of traffic as safely as possible is what new drivers are taught in traffic school before being awarded their driving licenses. Driving instructors have a responsibility to share how to keep the new drivers and others safe on the roads as well as how to operate a vehicle. A key concept taught for road safety in Florida and across the country is right of way. Anyone using the roads should be able to easily state who has the right of way at any moment under normal circumstances.
In motor vehicle accident cases handled by The Law Place, accident attorneys have experience in helping clients where there have been more complicated conditions on the road. In these cases, there can be confusion about the right of way or drivers’ choices to yield. Florida Statute 316.123 is a useful guide if you would like to refresh knowledge in checking when traffic should yield in line with traffic signs and signals. This law can also be helpful for a reminder of the protocols to obey traffic signals – when to slow down, stop and let traffic from other lanes pass. It can be helpful to cross-reference what may have happened in a car accident and get an initial view of whether a driver may have been negligent. However, as with any legal guidance, there may be instances where interpretation, best judgment, and further evidence can make all the difference when it comes to determining who may be liable for a car accident.
Accident lawyers at The Law Place are experienced in handling car accident cases and are here to offer support when it comes to drawing on a range of resources to assess cases and manage the legal process. The team can take the lead on gathering all necessary information from different sources, enabling you to give your input and then focus on rest and recovery whilst injury lawyers work on your behalf.
When Traffic Laws Have Not Been Followed in Florida
In handling personal injury cases across Florida, lawyers at The Law Place often see failure to obey the rules of the road and the directions given from the traffic signal as a common cause for car accidents. Choices that may seem like minor variations on the correct course of action can end up bringing a significant risk for the driver and everyone else using the roads, especially if these choices become habits. Some typical examples of this kind of irresponsible driving can look like:
- Blocking an intersection through negligence.
- Failure to comply with traffic signs and signals, either a stop sign or red light.
- Speeding or tailgating increases the chances of a rear-end collision.
- Not consistently using turn signals, so drivers don’t have sufficient warning of your turns.
- Making U-turns in locations where they are not permitted, risking an oncoming traffic accident.
If any of these car accident causes were a factor in a car accident that you or a loved one have been involved in that wasn’t your fault, you may have a case to claim personal injury compensation. Personal injury lawyers are here to help, offering a free consultation where you can ask any questions you may have and get some initial legal advice for free. With a wealth of specialized experience in handling personal injury claims for car accidents, our legal team can share insights from the legal process and help you to work out your next steps in getting justice.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Potential Causes for Why Drivers May Not Follow Traffic Laws
Negligent driving where there was a failure to obey traffic signals stems from both lacking awareness of the rules of the road and choosing to disregard them. When it comes to evaluating who may be liable for the damages caused in an auto accident, personal injury lawyers will go into more depth to determine cause and effect to build the strongest case possible for you. To give examples of how lawyers look at this, some causes for negligent driving commonly seen by injury lawyers from The Law Place include:
- Lack of awareness on the road – Full concentration is essential for responsible driving. There are many distractions that can take away from this, often in the form of simple tasks, such as reviewing a phone message, checking appearance in the mirror, or adjusting the radio.
- Intense emotions from life events – Driving with a busy mind can lead also detract drivers’ attention from the road. This can potentially lead to missing road signals or failure to obey traffic signals when caught up in their thoughts.
- Being inconsiderate or unaware of consequences – It is difficult for police officers to survey the entirety of open roads in Florida at all times. Not only this, but some minor infractions can often be waived by busy police officers when they have other priorities to deal with. Some drivers have a mindset where they are comfortable with breaking the rules due to the unlikeliness of being caught. However, this does not mean the likeliness of causing a motor vehicle accident is also reduced.
- Driving whilst under the influence – Of course, driving under the influence of alcohol or other mind-altering substances is illegal in Florida and across all of the other states. With slowed reactions and less attentiveness to what may be happening on the road, this kind of driving is a significant risk to the roads. Law enforcement and insurance companies have a fairly conclusive stance on this one.
Essentially, the laws are in place to maintain safe driving conditions. They are not open to interpretation of what may or may not apply to individual drivers. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident where another driver may have interpreted traffic laws and caused a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Lawyers at The Law Place can help with quantifying the impact of negligent driving to get the justice you deserve.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Typical Accidents and Injuries When Drivers Have Not Followed Traffic Laws
When drivers fail to obey a traffic signal or stop sign and cause a collision, they have been known to cause serious damage, both to property and the health of those involved. Typical types of collisions in these circumstances that lawyers from The Law Place see in Florida include:
- Rear-end or head-on collisions – When a car enters the path of another or tries to occupy the same space from behind, a crash is usually conclusive.
- Side-on collisions – When a driver does not have the right of way at an intersection and fails to yield, this can lead to another vehicle crashing into the side.
- Collisions involving pedestrians – When a driver fails to stop or yield at a junction, there is a risk of collision with pedestrians who may be following their right of way and crossing the road.
Such collisions often bring pain and suffering to those involved, unfortunately resulting in serious injuries and medical bills. There are a number of common injuries that are often seen in personal injury cases for these kinds of auto accidents, including:
- Broken bones.
- Head injuries and brain trauma.
- Damage to the spinal cord.
These kinds of damages make a significant impact on health and so take a while to recover from. In the time of rest and recovery, there can be many types of treatments required, and medical bills can mount up. Attorneys at The Law Place work with victims and their families to help claim the maximum compensation that may be owed following a car accident. Personal injury lawyers work with the victim, their family, medical professionals, and insurance companies to cover expenses for treatments received, as well as including forecasts for future medical bills.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Claiming Compensation After a Car Accident in Florida
Florida is a no-fault state, which means that the first step in making a compensation claim is done through your own insurance company – the full information about the process is covered in Florida Statute 627.7407.
Lawyers at The Law Place offer support and guidance for clients at every step of making personal injury claims and managing the paperwork and processes with insurance companies. The general areas covered include:
- Medical expenses – If you have suffered illness, injury, or any other medical effects following a car accident, you may be able to reclaim the cost of medical bills already paid, along with costs of getting to and from hospital appointments. Lawyers can also work with you to quantify compensation to cover future medical expenses, so you are not left out of pocket.
- Vehicle or property damage – If there was damage to your car or any possessions that were contained inside, you might be able to reclaim these costs through compensation.
- Loss of income – If you have not been able to work after the car accident due to injury, mental health decline, or loss of property, there is the possibility to claim for lost earnings. Lawyers can guide you through the process of accounting for all income losses from the past and present, as well as what may be anticipated in the future.
There are many different ways that an auto accident can impact those affected. If you have suffered in any way due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, we invite you to call us for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney today to find out what you may be owed.
The Law Place at Port Charlotte
We understand how stressful it can be when recovering from a car accident. With potential complications relating to health, finances, dealing with insurance companies, legal processes, and generally getting more stability back in life, it can be a lot to deal with.
Personal injury lawyers at The Law Place have over 70 years combined experience in handling car accident cases when there has been a failure to obey traffic signals, as well as many more scenarios on the roads in Florida. Each case is handled with care and compassion as the details are gathered to make the most compelling case for you. The legal team works on a contingency basis, meaning there are no up-front costs. There will only be a fee to you when your compensation settlement amount has been confirmed. In the unusual case where your case may not win a settlement, there will be no costs to you for the legal services. This way of working is monitored by the State Bar Association, giving you peace of mind with how your case is being handled so you can focus on recovery and getting life back to normal.
To find out more about how Florida personal injury lawyers could help your case, call us today on (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation. Phone lines are open 24/7 to support you with specialized legal help when you need it most.
