If you are involved an accident while breaking a traffic law, you could be assigned at least partial liability
California has many, many traffic laws on the books. It’s no surprise that in the years since you passed your driver’s license exam, you may have forgotten a few of them. There are also new laws added from time to time that many drivers may not be aware of, as well as laws that everyone seems to ignore in practice.
Why does following the law matter? Well, in addition to the fact that you could get a ticket, if you are involved a traffic accident while breaking any of the rules of the road, this could give you at least partial liability for the accident and affect your ability to secure compensation for your injuries.
Here are 5 traffic laws that many—if not most—California drivers break from time to time.
4 Way Stop Rules
People tend to get confused at a four-way stop, with each driver having a different opinion about who has the right of way. California law actually makes right of way at 4-way stops pretty simple: whoever arrives at the stop sign first gets to go first. If multiple vehicles are arriving at the same time, or you can’t tell who was first, the car on the right goes first. Failing to follow these rules can result in t-bone accidents in the intersection as well as rear-end accidents if the vehicle behind you expects you to go and you don’t realize you have right of way.
3 Feet for Safety
California law requires drivers to leave at least three feet when passing a bicyclist who is sharing a lane with traffic. This can be inconvenient in many situations because it requires drivers to slow down and make sure the coast is clear to make the maneuver. However, it is very important to follow this law because it is designed to help prevent sideswipe bicycle accidents.
Texting while Driving
By now, hopefully everyone knows that it is illegal to text and drive. However, this is one of those rules that is very commonly broken. Any kind of distracted driving is extremely dangerous because an accident can happen in the blink of an eye.
Blocking Motorcycle Lane Splitting
Have you ever been creeping along in heavy highway traffic only to glimpse a motorcycle zipping up behind you, in between the lanes of traffic? Many drivers find this sight irritating and move over to try to block the motorcyclist. This is not only dangerous but also illegal. California law actually permits motorcyclists to split lanes, as long as they are careful to follow certain rules as they do so.
Need Help with a Car Accident Claim?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it’s important to consult an experienced lawyer ASAP. This will help ensure that you are not unfairly assigned liability for the accident and pave the way for you to receive full and fair compensation for your injuries and property damage. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we specialize in car accident cases and we can provide the aggressive and effective representation you need. Call us at 800-333-0000 for a free consultation.
