You are driving in the center lane of one of the many three-lane Florida highway’s in moderate, fast moving traffic when suddenly a car cuts in front of you from the right lane narrowly missing your right front fender. You may just say something to yourself about the person’s attitude, or like many you may lean on your horn to punish the person for what he or she nearly caused. Not only is improper or illegal lane changing a leading cause of dangerous road rage, it is also a leading cause of auto accidents, many of which are serious and can involve multiple vehicles. Fortunately you can reduce the chances of a Florida lane change accident by following ten simple measures.
- Check your blind spot – Make sure your mirrors are properly adjusted. Do not rely solely on your mirrors when moving over. Turn your head and check to be sure there is no other vehicle near you.
- Always signal – Changing lanes without signaling is not only dangerous it is illegal. Do not be one of those sociopaths that weave in and out of lanes in an attempt to make better time.
- Avoid the extreme left lane – Most accidents occur in the left lane of highways. Drivers in the left lane tend to be more aggressive and impatient. In the center or right lane you have more escape routes.
- Keep two hands on the wheel – Avoid the lazy one hand on top of the wheel or both on the bottom. Use the 9 and 3 position or the 10 and 2 if it is better for you. You will be able to react faster and more positively if someone begins to merge into you. Adjust your seat properly using the race car method. With your arm outstretched you should be able to rest your wrist on the top of the wheel while resting against the seat back.
- Yield to merging traffic – If possible move over a lane to let merging cars on to the highway. You will avoid close encounters and make better time driving and create less wear on your brakes. If you can’t move over try to allow the car to merge in front rather than speeding up to get ahead. The driver of the merging car may not see you.
- Move only one lane at a time – Never cross multiple lanes without claiming your lane and checking the next. Cars behind you will often move over one lane to the right without you seeing them.
- Do not assume – Never assume the car you are passing knows you are there.
- Avoid passing on the right – Except in continuous lanes of traffic, passing on the right is illegal in many states. Sometimes it is unavoidable in the case of a slow vehicle blocking the left. A light tap on the horn will alert the other driver of your intentions.
- Beware of impaired or distracted drivers – A car that is drifting across the lane markers is probably driven by a distracted or even impaired driver. Stay away from them.
- Avoid driving on the right side of a truck – Truckers have to rely on their mirrors to see you and are prone to making evasive maneuvers quickly. If you are driving alongside a trailer you could wind up beneath it in a split second.
By taking these ten measures seriously when driving you will greatly reduce the chances of being in a Florida lane change accident. Granted that some lane change accidents are unavoidable but using precautions will reduce the chances of you being held at fault.
If you are injured in a Florida lane change accident it is important that you seek the help of a Florida accident attorney. Florida is a no fault insurance state. In order to sue for damages, injuries have to be proven to be “serious.” Serious is a vague term. Florida law requires drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection which pays the insured money to cover medical bills and damages regardless of fault. The minimum PIP coverage is $10,000. Serious injuries from medical bills and loss of income can be 100 times that amount or more. A short ride in a medevac helicopter can be $40,000. Lost income can total in in the millions if a person is no longer able to work of work in their chosen career.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA has successfully represented victims or Florida accidents achieving large cash settlements for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering. If you were injured or a loved one was killed or injured in a Florida Motor Vehicle Accident call Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA at 727-451-6900 today for a free consultation.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
