Is It Legal To Run a Yellow Light in Florida?

Bill Allen | June 28, 2024 | Florida Law

Is It Legal To Run a Yellow Light in Florida?

Different states have their own unique rules about driving through yellow lights. Whether you live in Florida or you’re just visiting, it’s a good idea to learn the local driving laws and regulations. Florida’s rules about traffic lights will be a major factor in whether you can recover injury compensation if you end up in a car accident. 

What Does a Yellow Light Mean in Florida?

State laws are split when it comes to traffic light laws. In all states, you are permitted to enter an intersection when the light is yellow. The issue is that once a traffic light turns yellow, there are only a few seconds until the light becomes red. Once a car goes through a yellow light, there’s a good chance that the light will turn red before the driver has cleared the intersection. 

A few states have restrictive yellow-light laws, in which it’s considered running a red light if the light turns red while your car is still in the intersection. Others, including Florida, have permissive yellow-light laws. In these states, even if the light turns red while you’re in the intersection, it’s not considered running a red light if the light wasn’t red when you went through it.

Fault in a Florida Yellow Light Accident

A yellow light crash is a car accident that involves a driver who drove through a yellow light. If the driver is still in the intersection when the light turns red, it probably means traffic coming from another direction has been given a green light. However, drivers must still yield the right of way to those currently in the intersection. 

Identifying the at-fault driver in a yellow light accident can be challenging. Many factors need to be considered, including the following: 

If you were injured after being in a traffic light crash in Florida, your best move is to contact a Florida car accident lawyer as soon as possible. Otherwise, you might end up paying the price for a crash that wasn’t your fault. 

When To Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer

It’s best to call a Florida car accident lawyer as soon as you’re involved in a yellow light crash. One of the toughest aspects of this kind of case is proving that you entered the intersection legally. 

If the collision took place after the light turned red, it can be hard to prove that you did not break any laws. It’s a good idea to try to get the contact information of any witnesses who can confirm they saw you enter the intersection before the light was red. 

A lawyer can assist by getting access to traffic camera footage, cell phone records, and other documentation that proves you didn’t break any laws. These crashes often happen because the other driver isn’t paying attention. For example, they might not have noticed your car because they were looking down at their cell phone to send a text. 

Protect Yourself After a Florida Crash

Before filing an injury lawsuit and recovering car accident injury compensation, your lawyer needs to prove the other driver caused the crash. A lawyer also helps you avoid being named the at-fault party, leading to marks on your driving record and increasing insurance fees. 

The sooner you call a lawyer for a free consultation, the better your chances of obtaining a positive outcome in your case.

Contact Our Gainesville Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258