In Florida and across the U.S., drivers and pedestrians alike rely on traffic signals to guide us, help us drive carefully, and allow pedestrians to cross roads safely. Traffic signals control the flow of traffic and maintain a sense of order on the road. Without traffic signals, the likelihood of accidents occurring would increase substantially. Therefore, traffic lights must be obeyed in order to prevent accidents from occurring.
When someone drives recklessly or aggressively, the likelihood of them failing to stop at a traffic signal is high. All drivers have a duty of care towards other people using the roads. Breaching this duty of care can have terrible consequences on other road users as well as pedestrians. At The Law Place, we believe that you deserve justice for your accident, whether you have been injured as a driver or as a pedestrian.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. The best chance of winning compensation for your claim is by hiring an experienced and professional legal team to represent you. By trusting in our team of personal injury lawyers at The Law Place, you can cover the financial damages you may have suffered from as a result of your accident. Our lawyers have a combined experience of 75 years in navigating the Florida legal system and winning cases just like yours. Therefore, you can rest assured that your personal injury case is in capable hands. At The Law Place, we strongly believe that our clients deserve open and consistent communication. Therefore, we update our clients on their case’s legal proceedings as soon as we receive information on them.
Our phone lines are always open, so you can have a free consultation with an accident lawyer whenever it suits you. Call our law firm today at (941) 444-4444.
Laws Involving the Right of Way in St. Petersburg, FL.
Rules and regulations for the state’s roads are set out and implemented by the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law. It is common knowledge that a driver must yield the right of way when a traffic light is on red. However, some reckless drivers fail to stop, which can result in devastating consequences.
Laws instructing drivers when they must yield and grant the right of way to other drivers can be found under Florida Statute 316.123. A driver must give other drivers the right of way when:
- A traffic light or stop sign instructs them to do so. Traffic signals must always be obeyed unless a police officer or other authority is present and instructs the driver differently.
- The driver who first arrives at a four-way stop intersection is granted the right of way at the intersection. In the case that two or more drivers reach the intersection at the same time, the driver on the right should be granted the right of way.
- Drivers must allow a public transit vehicle, including buses and trams, to enter traffic when necessary.
- When making a left-hand turn, a driver must give right of way to oncoming traffic. Failing to do so can lead to a terrible accident.
- If an emergency vehicle is using its lights and sirens to indicate they need to pass through traffic quickly, other drivers must give the vehicle the right of way.
Pedestrian accidents are also common when a driver fails to conduct their vehicle correctly. In order to reduce the number of these accidents, Florida Statute 316.123 outlines that:
- When a traffic signal indicates that a pedestrian can cross the road, drivers must yield.
- Pedestrians must adhere to traffic signals.
- Pedestrians should always use footpaths where available. If this isn’t possible, they should walk on the side of the road facing oncoming traffic so that they are easily visible and can see vehicles.
- Drivers must not overtake vehicles that have stopped to allow pedestrians to cross.
At The Law Place, we understand that the rules of driving can become hazy for drivers over time. Our lawyers are well-versed in Florida’s traffic codes and regulations and can advise and remind clients on how to obey these laws. Call our law firm today to receive important legal advice and support for your case.
Why Some Drivers Fail to Obey Traffic Signals
In St. Petersburg, some drivers fail to obey traffic signals on purpose, while others commit the offense by accident. Whether intentional or not, drivers failing to stop when they are required to by law is an offense. By ignoring the state’s road rules, drivers put others at risk.
Some of the reasons why drivers fail to obey traffic signals include:
- Distracted driving – Drivers can be distracted by an array of things. When a driver goes to change the song on the radio, reply to a message on their cell phone or check their GPS, they are not fully concentrated on the road. Also, eating snacks and drinking can distract a person who is driving. Becoming distracted while driving, even if for a few seconds, can lead to a driver not noticing a traffic signal, which could result in devastating consequences.
- Driver intoxication – Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol can impair the driver’s ability to drive safely and correctly. For example, an intoxicated driver may not be able to react and brake fast enough before reaching a traffic signal. Driving under the influence can also inhibit judgment, and so intoxicated drivers may think they have more time to pass a traffic signal than what they actually have.
- Being in a rush – When a driver is eager to arrive at their destination, they may decide to intentionally run a red light or ignore a stop sign.
- Vehicle fault – In some cases, faults in the vehicle can prevent a driver from yielding at a red light. For example, if the driver’s brake is faulty, they may find difficulty in yielding when necessary.
- Inexperienced driver – Some drivers, particularly younger ones, are unaware of the regulations of the road and may fail to stop at an intersection or sign due to their lack of knowledge. Some inexperienced drivers also may get confused by traffic signs and feel overwhelmed, leading them to fail to yield.
No matter the cause of the accident, you may be able to seek compensation for it. Florida is very strict when it comes to upholding road laws and regulations, so even if a negligent driver tries to excuse their reckless driving, the law will most likely be on the claimant’s side. Call our law firm today to speak to an accident lawyer who will explain the laws that pertain to your case in detail.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. Common Accidents That Occur Due to a Driver Failing to Stop at a Traffic Signal in St. Petersburg, FL.
Motor vehicle accidents occurring after a driver fails to yield when necessary is very common. These accidents can lead to victims sustaining serious injuries that can last a lifetime.
Some of the most common accidents that occur after a driver fails to yield in St. Petersburg include:
- Head-on collision – This occurs when two vehicles collide head-on when traveling in the opposite direction. These accidents can be particularly damaging and can lead to passengers receiving very serious injuries.
- Rear-end collision – A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle collides with the vehicle directly in front of it.
- Side-on collision – This occurs when a vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle. These are particularly common at intersections.
- Pedestrian accident – A pedestrian accident is when a vehicle such as a car, motorcycle, or truck hits a pedestrian. These accidents can cause devastating injuries as the pedestrian most likely has no protection, and the vehicle was probably traveling at high speed.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Common Injuries Sustained From an Auto Accident in St. Petersburg
Injuries sustained from auto accidents are often painful, devastating, and can change a victim’s life forever. With the help of a skilled personal injury attorney, victims can often claim compensation for the damages they have received after their accidents.
Common injuries sustained from a car accident in St. Petersburg include:
- Whiplash.
- Road rash, cuts, and bruises.
- Internal bleeding.
- Broken bones.
- Fractures.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Amputations and lost limbs.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
Whether you have sustained minor or major injuries from your auto accident, you may still be entitled to compensation. Injuries such as these often require a lot of medical treatment, including surgery and therapy, and so seeking compensation is often the best way to cover these expensive costs.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, get in contact with The Law Place for a free consultation. If our team of lawyers believes that your claim is strong enough, a personal injury lawyer at our firm will take on your injury case and strive to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Damages You May Be Able to Claim After a Failure to Yield Accident in Florida
After a free case consultation with our team of legal professionals, a licensed attorney will calculate how much you may be owed based on the injuries and damages you have sustained as a result of your accident.
Damages that you could claim after a failure to yield accident include:
- Medical bills – Medical care can be very expensive in Florida, and failure to obey traffic signal accidents can cause serious injuries that need to be tended to. Our personal injury attorneys will review your medical records and determine how much compensation you may be owed after receiving medical care.
- Lost wages – If you have suffered from a loss of income due to the injuries you have sustained, you may be able to claim past, present, and future lost wages.
- Property damage – if your property was damaged during the accident, you could be owed money. An attorney will review your damaged property and determine approximately how much it would cost to repair or replace it and then fight to cover these costs.
- Pain and suffering – A motor vehicle accident can cause both physical and psychological problems for those involved. You may be suffering from mental trauma due to the seriousness of your accident, and your quality of life may have deteriorated significantly. You may be able to receive compensation for this.
- Wrongful death – Death can sometimes occur after a serious accident, especially one involving a pedestrian and a motor vehicle. Under Florida Statute 768.21, family members of the deceased can file a claim to receive compensation in order to cover funeral costs, losses of income, and other expenses caused by the death.
In St. Petersburg, motor vehicle accidents happen more often than one may think. Despite this, some victims do not realize that they may be owed compensation if they have been involved in an accident. Don’t hesitate to call us for a free consultation and get in contact with an experienced accident lawyer to discuss your case.
Insurance Companies in Florida
You are required by Florida law to claim for your accident through your insurance company first, as per Florida Statute 627.7407. It is sometimes the case that the damages caused by your accident can exceed your maximum insurance policy limit. When this happens, claimants can seek further compensation through the at-fault party.
After a serious accident, those involved are often eager to contact their insurance company in order to discuss and review their case with them. However, it is important to note that insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with as their main objective is to avoid paying out money for claims. Therefore, they do everything possible to devalue your claim by making it appear that the claimant had more fault in the accident than they actually did. Under Florida Statute 768.81, the state uses a comparative fault law which means that if you are found to be over 50% liable for your accident, you may not be able to file a claim.
The comparative negligence law also states that if you are found to be partly responsible for your accident, your final settlement will be reduced by the percentage you were responsible for. For example, if it is determined that you were 20% responsible for the accident, your final settlement will be reduced by 20%. For this reason, seeking professional legal representation and trusting in a skilled accident lawyer is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free case review with a top Florida attorney.
What Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for Me?
Our team of accident injury lawyers at The Law Place is well-equipped to guide and assist you in your case. We know how stressful filing legal claims can be, which is why we completely take on the cases of our clients so that they don’t have to worry about going through the process alone.
Services that our legal team offers include:
- Collecting evidence from the accident.
- Calculating how much you may be eligible to claim.
- Dealing with insurance providers.
- Filing legal paperwork and other necessary documents.
- Leading negotiations with the parties involved.
- Pursuing the best compensation possible.
If you have suffered as a result of your accident, call us for a free consultation. We believe that creating a strong attorney-client relationship is crucial when going through the legal process. Therefore, our attorneys act with honesty, fairness, and loyalty, so you can rest assured that we are committed to getting justice for our clients.
Call The Law Place Today
In St. Petersburg, the failure to obey traffic signals can have devastating consequences for all parties involved. Unfortunately, these auto accidents happen frequently across the U.S. Drivers must take reasonable care when operating their vehicles and should always concentrate on the instructions given to them by signals or road authority figures, including the police.
Once one of our skilled lawyers files your claim, our team of professionals will work tirelessly so that you get the best outcome possible for your case. During your free consultation, you will receive invaluable legal advice and guidance so that you can have a feel for how we work before you decide to put your trust in us.
Our phone lines are always open, so call us whenever you want! Contact us at (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer today.
