Florida is a highly populated state with over 14 million licensed drivers. This means that there are many people sharing the road, which means that it’s particularly important for everyone to follow Florida’s driving laws.
After all, it reduces the chances of people getting into accidents.
Not everyone is going to do that, which is a shame. Perhaps you’ve even been an accident with someone who ignored Florida’s driving laws.
If this sounds like something you’ve experienced, then consider contacting a personal injury attorney so that you can determine what your next steps will be.
Specific Rules in Florida
Florida’s driving laws are worth keeping track of, both for your safety and that of other drivers. These include laws for common behaviors in cars, including:
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Seatbelts: If you’re a driver in Florida, you have to wear a seatbelt when operating an automobile, and so does your front-seat passenger and any kids under the age of 18. Children under the age of 5 are supposed to be placed in a federally-approved child safety restraint device.
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Drunk driving: You would need a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 or more to end up with a DUI conviction. The minimum for a first offense is a fine of $500. Unlike some states, first-time DUI offenders wouldn’t need to install an ignition interlock device (IID).
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Open container laws: No open containers are allowed to be in the passenger portion of the car. This applies to the driver, front-seat passenger, and anybody in the back seat. Open containers are only allowed to be in the trunk of the car or a part of the vehicle that isn’t accessible to the passengers.
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Distracted driving: Any activity that takes a driver’s mind, eyes, or hands off the task of driving is considered distracted driving. Texting while driving is one of the better-known manifestations of this standard. When driving in Florida, nobody is ever allowed to text and drive. That being said, there’s no cell phone or hand-held ban.
Open Container Laws and Your Florida Auto Accident
Unfortunately, not every driver is going to be willing to follow the rules. A driver may hit your car with an open container in the front seat, and if this happens, you should consider contacting a personal injury lawyer.
Florida is a no-fault state, which will affect the way that you file your claim. You’ll need to file your claim with your own insurance company before you can file a personal injury claim.
If you were seriously hurt or if the damages you incurred amounted to over $10,000, you may want to file a personal injury claim.
Find an Attorney Who Can Help You
Irresponsible drivers do not deserve to negatively impact the lives of others with their actions. If one of them ends up doing that, then talk to a Florida personal injury lawyer about what you can do.
It’s hard not to feel helpless when something like this happens, but an attorney can give you a new perspective on your case and possibly lead you to a winning claim.
