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Who Is At Fault in a Merging Car Accident in Florida? 

December 2, 2024 Legal Team

Merging is a common driving task due to the never-ending traffic congestion, construction, and tourism in many areas of Florida. However, merging is not always simple, and not everyone likes to be friendly during the process. When it occurs, knowing who is at fault in a merging car accident in Florida is critical. In most situations, the driver merging could be found at fault. However, there are a few factors that must be considered here. If you were injured in such an accident, call a Sarasota car accident attorney or Bradenton car accident lawyer at Shapiro | Delgado for immediate help.

Who Is At Fault in a Merging Car Accident in Florida?

Merging Drivers Are Often at Fault

It is common for drivers to be aggressive as they merge into a lane. Other times, the drivers in those lanes are unwilling to allow the merging car to move into place. Determining fault in these cases can be challenging. Most of the time, the driver that strikes the other driver is at fault. It demonstrates an inability to control their vehicle. However, there are factors that may alter this perception of guilt.

  • Under Florida state law, the merging driver must yield the right-of-way to any oncoming traffic. In most cases, the merging driver maintains fault if this does not occur.
  • The other driver is aggressive and does not allow the merging driver to move into place. An overly aggressive driver may hit the merging driver. In this situation, if that driver struck your vehicle as you were merging, they are responsible for the accident.
  • The other driver is speeding, and that leads to the merging driver being struck. In some situations where you can demonstrate this type of reckless behavior,
  • Alcohol or drugs could also play a role in determining who is at fault.
  • Distracted driving can also contribute to this, especially if the driver who struck the other was texting or otherwise not paying attention to the road.

Some of the most common reasons that merging car accidents happen include:

  • Merged drivers are moving too slow
  • There is no signaling by the driver merging
  • The merging driver does not act with regard to others
  • A driver merges across multiple lanes at one time

How Our Attorneys Help You Determine Fault

When you work with our personal injury attorneys in Florida, you will learn the specific legal rights you have for compensation after such an accident. To prove your case, we may use evidence such as:

  • Your statements and those of the other driver
  • Witness statements
  • Any photos or videos of the merging area
  • Accident reconstruction reports and services
  • Police reports based on data at the scene

Any information possible can help to paint a picture of what occurred. No matter if you were the merging driver or the other party, the intricate details of these cases often play a role in determining the fault. The complexity of these cases makes it important for you to have a skilled legal team by your side.

Contact Our Personal Injury Attorney in Florida for Guidance

At Shapiro | Delgado, we value your right to full and fair compensation. Contact us for a free consultation if you were hurt in an accident with a merging driver or on any of the area’s roads. With decades of experience serving those in the Southwest Florida area, we are confident we can help you navigate your rights.