Illegally parked vehicles can congest intersections, obscure other drivers’ visibility, or otherwise impede the flow of traffic. Illegally parked cars can also force other drivers to brake unexpectedly, potentially causing a chain reaction accident.
Parking and traffic laws exist for a reason—to foster safe road conditions for all drivers. If another driver disobeyed parking laws, they could be held liable for your collision. A Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can clarify how illegally parked cars cause car accidents in Fort Lauderdale.
How Many Ways Can a Driver Illegally Park a Car in Fort Lauderdale?
A driver who parks against the law can increase the risk of an accident. The following are examples of what is considered an illegally parked car and its risk factors:
- Parking across an apron, which can leave the rear of the car extended into the street
- Parking too far from the curb, creating a blind spot for other drivers
- Parking in an intersection can create a four-way traffic hazard and lead to flared tempers
- Double parking, which can leave one car parked in the lane of traffic
- Parking against the flow of traffic can lead to confusion about the correct driving direction
Parking, stopping, or standing illegally might seem like a minor inconvenience. If you or a loved one suffered injuries or property damage due to an illegally parked car, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Who Is Financially Liable if You Hit an Illegally Parked Car?
If you hit illegally parked cars, or another driver hits your illegally parked car, a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer could still prepare a claim for compensation. In a case like this, both drivers would share financial liability based on Florida’s comparative negligence laws.
Financial liability is apportioned according to the percentage of fault each driver bears. If a driver bears more than 50% of the fault for the crash, though, they cannot recover damages at all.
Obtain a Copy of the Illegally Parked Cars Report
A car accident report is an invaluable part of a comprehensive evidence collection since it will contain the following information:
- Date, time, and location
- Driver contact information
- Vehicle descriptions
The police report will also include the investigating officer’s narrative, diagrams, and police-generated photos and video footage.
What Other Kind of Evidence Can Support a Car Accident Injury Claim?
A car accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale who builds your case file will also obtain witness statements and other evidence that proves a violation of Florida Statutes § 316.1945. Your lawyer can also request an accident reconstruction report that will document the position of each car and the actions each driver took.
Call (954) 633-8270 to Contact Our Consultation Team
At the Law Offices of Wolf & Pravato, we know how illegally parked cars cause car accidents in Fort Lauderdale. We also know how to get compensation for our injured clients. Learn more about the benefits of working with our law firm. Call us at (954) 633-8270 for your free consultation today.
