How Florida Defines Careless Driving
Careless driving is a form of negligence and is incredibly dangerous. When a driver is not using a standard level of reasonable care when operating their vehicle, they could face legal trouble as this is a civil traffic offense. Further, if careless driving causes an accident, the negligent driver that caused the crash may be penalized with fines and a license suspension, not to mention a civil suit against them for the financial losses they caused another party.
If you were harmed by the negligent actions of a careless driver in Florida, then you may be entitled to compensation. Under Florida’s no-fault laws, when a car accident happens, a victim will use their insurance to pay for their damages. However, in situations where a car accident produces severe injuries, it is possible to file a suit against another party’s insurance company that caused the crash.
For help with a car accident injury claim in Florida, a Tampa car accident injury attorney at Fulgencio Law can assist you.
Understanding How Florida Defines the Careless Driving Offense
Careless driving in Florida is defined as a driver who fails to operate their vehicle in a responsible way and in a manner trying to avoid the endangerment of life, limb, or property of any other person. Driving carelessly will result in a citation for a moving violation. This comes with points on a license and costly fines. Sometimes, license suspension and insurance hikes can also follow. When careless driving causes property damages, then the charges can be upgraded from a moving violation to a misdemeanor, and a driver may be sentenced to serve time in jail.
Some examples of traffic violations that may be considered careless driving include:
- Driving at a speed that is unsafe for the environment
- Failing to yield
- Running a stop sign
- Changing lanes unsafely
- Not obeying traffic control signals
- Tailgating
- Distracted driving
Careless driving tends to be considered a minor offense as compared to aggressive driving which is a different offense and more serious. Reckless driving, on the other hand, is another form of negligent driving that is considered a criminal offense. Although careless driving differs from aggressive or reckless driving, it is still irresponsible and can lead to car accidents, which often result in severe injuries and even death.
Recently, it was reported that 395,077 car accidents took place in Florida. Many of these ended with injuries—252,260, to be exact. As many as 3,403 fatalities also resulted from these accidents. Since accidents are primarily due to human error, such as being careless, like driving while distracted or failing to yield, accidents are largely preventable. Still, some drivers are derelict in their duty to provide a standard of care to others when operating their vehicles, and as a result, such behavior is the reason car accidents are reported every day across the state of Florida and the country.
Call Fulgencio Law Today
If a careless driver caused your accident, you can schedule a free consultation with our experienced attorney at Fulgencio Law by calling (813) 463-0123 today to discuss your case. Do not hesitate to resort to our skilled legal team to begin your recovery right away.
