If you got hurt in a yellow light accident in Florida, it’s natural to wonder who would be at fault for it. Unfortunately, in many cases, drivers share some degree of responsibility for the collision, making it harder to determine liability.
How do They Determine Who’s At Fault in a Car Accident?
Reviewing your case’s specific facts can help you determine the fault for a yellow light accident. Police officers, insurance agents, and lawyers all work to decide what events led to and caused a yellow light collision.
To determine what happened, these individuals often:
- Question witnesses
- Speak with all involved drivers
- Go over evidence at the accident scene
Some stoplights in Florida include cameras. Police officers, lawyers, and insurance agents may review any recordings from these cameras to determine which driver caused the collision.
Explore Common Causes of Yellow Light Accidents
What causes yellow light accidents in Florida? These collisions have several common causes.
Sudden Stops
Florida drivers are legally allowed to proceed through a yellow light. However, each driver has to time their passage through the light carefully. Accelerating to get through a light right before it changes could lead to crossing the intersection on a red light. To avoid running a red light, some drivers brake suddenly at a yellow light. If another driver has been tailgating them, it could result in a rear-end collision.
The police could find drivers who tailgate at fault for a yellow light accident. However, Florida does not have a set distance you have to follow to avoid tailgating. In fact, according to Florida Statutes § 316.0895, drivers just have to maintain a “reasonable” distance between vehicles. This factor means the police and insurance agents have some room to decide who is at fault for a rear-end collision at a yellow light.
Distraction
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), driving while distracted poses a severe threat to everyone on the road. Drivers become distracted if they look away from the road, take their hands off the wheel, or stop thinking about what they’re doing.
Distracted drivers often get into the flow of driving at a specific rate of speed. If they approach a stoplight, they may not register the color of the light. As a result, these drivers may fail to slow down at the light, leading to a rear-end collision.
Common causes of distraction while driving include:
- Texting or looking at a cellphone
- Eating or drinking
- Changing the radio
- Talking to passengers
- Adjusting a GPS device
The court may find distracted drivers at fault for a yellow light accident.
Making a Left Turn
Legally, drivers can make a left turn on a yellow light in Florida. However, drivers making a left must yield to other motorists. Attempting to turn before the light changes while cutting in front of traffic can cause an accident.
Drivers who turn in front of traffic are disobeying the right-of-way through Florida. As a result, these drivers often face responsibility for causing a collision.
Florida’s No-Fault Laws and Yellow Light Accidents
Florida uses no-fault laws for car accidents. These laws mean drivers turn to their insurance after a collision. Your insurance policy should cover your medical expenses after a yellow light accident.
No-fault laws allow you to be compensated for your healthcare expenses regardless of who caused the collision. However, these laws do not cover your vehicle repair costs.
If you want to seek compensation from the driver who caused the accident, you need to establish fault for the collision. Then you can seek damages from the insurance company representing the other driver.
Getting Compensation for Severe Injuries After Yellow Light Accidents
Florida’s no-fault laws include exceptions for drivers who sustain serious injuries. Drivers who sustain a permanent injury, scarring, or the loss of an essential bodily function have the legal right to seek compensation from the driver who caused the accident. In this situation, drivers can file a claim with the insurance company supporting the other driver. They also can file a lawsuit against the driver who caused the accident.
A car accident lawyer can help you build a case after a yellow light collision. Attorneys can investigate what happened and gather evidence. They can also advise you about the best way to handle these accidents and review the damages you may be able to recover through an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Contact Us After a Yellow Light Accident in Florida
Who is at fault in a yellow light accident? Fault in these collisions depends on several factors. Our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine can help you build a claim or lawsuit and work to secure damages for your losses.
You can reach us for a free consultation when you call 1-800-747-3733 today. We can review your collision and walk you through the legal options for recovery that you may have.
