There were 22 fatal car accidents in Pompano Beach in 2021. That number was 28 in 2020 and only 17 in 2019, putting the average for those three years at just over 22 fatal accidents per year.
These figures are a matter of public record, and they serve to illustrate how dangerous it is to drive around Pompano Beach, both as a resident and a visitor. You can also look up records of accident reports to get a sense of how dangerous it is to travel in specific areas of the city.
The main thing these records show is that Pompano Beach is the site of numerous serious and fatal car accidents every year. There are many potential causes of these accidents, but one of the most common is failure to yield. This means that one driver had the right-of-way, but the party responsible for the accident failed to yield.
Whether you live in Pompano Beach or are just visiting for the season, the last thing you want is to have to hire a Pompano Beach car accident lawyer because you’ve been seriously hurt in a accident. The following tips can help you prevent failure-to-yield collisions and enjoy your time in this beautiful city.
Exercise Caution at Intersections
It’s easy to tell who has the right-of-way at an intersection that has traffic lights. However, even in this situation, you should take care while the lights are changing.
Many people in Pompano Beach are in a rush to get where they’re going and may try to preempt a light turning green or speed through a light before it turns red. You should always keep an eye out for reckless drivers when the lights are changing.
When an intersection doesn’t have lights, the through traffic will often be controlled by stop signs. At a four-way stop, every vehicle is required to stop completely before proceeding. The vehicle that reached the intersection first has the right-of-way.
Unfortunately, not all drivers respect these laws. That’s why it’s critical to be wary of drivers who might run stop signs or go through intersections out of turn.
Finally, according to Florida law, pedestrians have the right-of-way at crosswalks when there are no traffic signals or signs. This means that if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk or about to step into it, you’re required to stop your car.
As a driver, you should always watch carefully for pedestrians, as they’re common in Pompano Beach and may not see you coming. Conversely, as a pedestrian, you shouldn’t assume that drivers will stop despite the law saying they must.
Pull Over for Emergency Vehicles
This regulation is pretty much the same across the country. If an emergency vehicle has its lights or sirens on, you should pull over to the side of the road and give it as much room as possible to pass. However, there always seems to be at least one driver who thinks this law only applies to everyone else.
Don’t be that person. Pull over if at all possible. If stopping where you are would block traffic, drive carefully until you reach a place where you can pull over safely. Also, look out for drivers who try to race to “beat” the emergency vehicle. This kind of behavior is often the cause of serious accidents.
Know How to Navigate Roundabouts
Pompano Beach has a lot of roundabouts. If you aren’t familiar with this type of intersection, they may seem intimidating or confusing. The good news is that roundabouts are quite safe if you understand and follow the rules for using them.
When you approach a roundabout, you can freely enter it as long as there’s no traffic coming from the left. You don’t need to stop — in fact, you shouldn’t unless it’s necessary to yield to an oncoming vehicle.
You’re only required to yield when another vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian is already in the roundabout and approaching from the left. When that happens, wait until the traffic has passed, then enter the intersection smoothly.
When traveling around a roundabout, you should signal your intention to leave at your intended exit point. This lets cars behind you know that you’ll be slowing down and tells cars entering the intersection that they can safely pull in without yielding to you.
Remember, if you intend to turn left at a roundabout, you instead drive three-quarters of the circle to the right and then turn right to exit.
Yield When Exiting Parking Lots
The many shops, restaurants, and event venues in Pompano Beach mean there are many parking lots. When pulling out of a parking lot, remember to yield to oncoming traffic.
This may seem obvious where cars are concerned, but the rule also applies to pedestrians and bicycles. Pedestrians are all over Pompano Beach, so you should look both ways several times before leaving a parking lot. The last thing you want is to hit someone traveling on foot.
Also, look for bicycles on both sidewalks and roadways. Bikes are much smaller than cars and can be easy to miss, especially if you’re moving fast. Bicyclists have the right-of-way in most situations, which means an accident would be your fault.
What to Do if You’re Involved in a Failure-to-Yield Accident
If you get injured in a failure-to-yield accident, you should get medical attention right away. Once you’ve been evaluated and treated, contact a Pompano Beach injury lawyer. An attorney can help guide you through the legal process so you can get the compensation you need to fully recover from your injuries.
Contact a Pompano Beach Injury Lawyer at Schrier Law Group Right Away
Have you or a loved one been injured in a car, pedestrian, or bike accident in Pompano Beach? Was the accident caused by another driver failing to yield the right-of-way as required by law? If so, you have the right to take legal action.
Don’t get stuck paying your medical bills on your own. Contact Schrier Law Group today to arrange a no-cost consultation and discuss your options with an experienced Pompano Beach injury lawyer.
