Can You Move Your Vehicle After A Car Accident In Florida?
Car accidents are a common occurrence on our roads in Miami and other parts of Florida. However, many car drivers do not understand their legal obligations when car crashes occur. One of the most confusing aspects of dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is whether or not you can move your vehicle following the collision.
That is why many drivers end up sitting in their cars in the middle of the roadway and waiting for the police to arrive instead of pulling over. Drivers do not know whether or not Florida law allows them to move their vehicle following a crash.
So, can you actually pull your vehicle to the side of the road after an accident, or does Florida law prohibit drivers from moving their cars when a car crash occurs?
Should You Move Your Car After an Accident in Florida?
Florida law requires motorists to move their vehicles to a safe location following car crashes. The legal obligation to move your vehicle out of traffic is a precautionary measure to avoid causing multi-vehicle accidents and secondary crashes.
Under Fla. Stat. § 316.061, when involved in a car accident, drivers must move their vehicle to a safe location to avoid obstructing traffic. However, if you cannot drive your car to the shoulder of the road because the vehicle is not operable, you may need to call a tow truck to move the car out of traffic.
Florida law requires drivers to make “every reasonable effort” to ensure that their vehicle is not blocking traffic after an accident. However, if the driver is injured or is otherwise incapable of moving their vehicle out of traffic, they could leave their car in the traffic lane.
Drivers must use common sense when deciding whether or not it is safe to move a car to the shoulder of the road following a car accident. If a driver acts unreasonably when deciding to leave their vehicle on the roadway, they could receive a traffic ticket.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Miami, FL?
Many people who get into car crashes in Florida do not know what they can and cannot do following a collision. Here are the steps to take if you have been involved in a car accident in Miami:
- Following a collision, stop your vehicle and remain at the scene of the accident.
- Check for injuries. If anyone is injured, including yourself, call 911 and request an ambulance.
- If no one in your vehicle is hurt, move your car to the shoulder of the road or another safe location to make sure that your car does not obstruct traffic.
- Report your accident to the police. Fla. Stat. § 316.065 requires motorists to notify law enforcement of any accidents involving bodily injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500.
- Seek medical attention and document your injuries.
- Consult with a Miami car accident attorney to determine if you can pursue compensation for your damages and losses.
Get a case evaluation from our attorneys at Pita Weber Del Prado by calling 305-670-2889.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.061.html
