Common Mistakes Florida Drivers Make Behind the Wheel

Unfortunately, automobile accidents are a daily occurrence in Florida and throughout the United States. The reality is that these accidents can have long-term and serious consequences for everyone involved. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is important to seek the help and guidance of a Miami injury attorney. We can scrutinize the facts of your case and determine what caused the accident and your resulting harm.

Driving is a privilege, rather than a right. Therefore, every driver on the road has a duty to drive using reasonable care and obey Florida traffic laws. The following are common examples of driving mistakes that people make behind the wheel:

Speeding

Speeding is a top cause of automobile accidents in the United States. Drivers often don’t realize the serious risks associated with speeding, some of which include losing control of a vehicle and not being able to stop in time to avoid hitting another car or pedestrian. Speeding is dangerous even when it’s happening at a moderate level.

Tailgating

Tailgating takes place when one vehicle drives too closely behind another vehicle. It is dangerous because there is not enough stopping distance between the two cars, and the likelihood of a rear-end collision increases significantly.

Driving Slowly in the Left Lane

The left lane on the highway is intended for passing. If an individual in the left lane is driving more slowly than the flow of traffic, it encourages people to use the right lane to start passing, which can be very dangerous. Those who drive too slowly in the left lane also put themselves at risk for being victims of road rage.

Rolling Stops

Many people do not come to a complete stop when they are required to do so under the law. This includes at a stop sign or when making a right turn at a red stop light. An individual who comes to a rolling stop is not only increasing the chance of a collision but also can potentially confuse other drivers on the road, who may react dangerously.

Failing to Signal

Signaling is an important way one driver communicates with another on the road. It is vital to changing lanes safely. Not signaling leads to other drivers on the road being in the dark about your next move and could lead to serious accidents.

If a driver makes one of the mistakes listed above and causes an accident, he or she may be liable for any resulting harm. Typically, these mistakes would be considered negligent. Negligence is a failure to adhere to the duty of care that is expected of someone driving a car. The duty of care refers to the obligation to act as a reasonably prudent driver would act under the same or similar circumstances. In order to win on a negligence claim, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care, that the defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff, and that the plaintiff sustained bodily injury or property damage as a direct consequence of the defendant’s breach.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, our Miami car accident attorneys can help. To learn more about your rights and options, feel free to call us at 1-877-499-HURT (4878) or reach out to us online today.

More Blog Posts:

Tesla Autopilot Accidents in Florida – Who is Liable?, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 7, 2016

Dangerous and Defective Florida Roadways, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 7, 2016

Appliance Accidents in Florida, South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg, October 7, 2016

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