Can Trucks Drive in the Left Lane in Florida?

Large trucks are hazardous, and they cause major injuries when they run into lighter vehicles. To protect public safety, Florida law prohibits certain large vehicles from driving in the left-hand lane.

This law has teeth: any violation can result in a fine. If you were injured in a truck accident, contact our law firm to speak with a Winter Haven truck accident lawyer today. JustCallMoe and get the kind of experienced legal help that makes a difference in personal injury cases.

Can Trucks Drive in the Left Lane in Florida?

It depends on the highway. Florida law reserves the left lane for cars on certain highways with six lanes in mostly rural areas:

• I-4
• I-75
• I-95
• Florida Turnpike

The state has had restrictions on trucks on I-95 for more than 30 years. Other restrictions were put in place around 20 years ago. To check the location of current restrictions, you can use an interactive map at the Florida Department of Transportation website.

Can Semi Trucks Drive in the Left Lane?

Not where prohibited. Semi-trucks are vehicles with a cab in front that haul a trailer, usually full of consumer goods. Also known as tractor-trailers, these vehicles transport the majority of the nation’s freight in Florida and throughout the country, making them a common sight.

Semi-trucks fall under the “no trucks in the left lane” law in Florida. By contrast, recreational vehicles (RVs) and tour buses are not covered by the law, so they can use the left lane on highways where trucks are prohibited.

Penalties for Violating the Law

A trucker who violates the left lane law can face a fine and an assessment of three points on their commercial driver’s license. Once a driver accumulates 12 points in a year, their license is suspended for 30 days. These penalties put some teeth into the law, and the police are empowered to pull over a truck they observe in violation of the law.

Some truckers claim ignorance, especially if they come from out of state. But that is no excuse for breaking the law. Further, if the trucker gets into a crash, then innocent victims can seek financial compensation.

Reasons for the Law

Why does Florida prohibit tractor-trailers from the left lane? Two words: public safety.

Any collision with a large truck can lead to horrifying injuries. Many motorists are paralyzed or suffer permanent brain damage when their smaller vehicle is crunched by a big rig. The state wants to limit any weaving in and out of traffic around large trucks.

Also, large trucks have huge blind spots on the right-hand side. The blind spot typically extends two full lanes, which means a truck in the left lane could easily drive over another vehicle when switching out of the left lane. The fewer lane changes, the fewer truck accidents we see.

Motorists should be mindful of the blind spots on a big rig at all times. There are blind spots on all four sides, even directly in front of the vehicle. When a smaller car is in the spot, a trucker cannot easily see you. The risk of an accident increased dramatically.

To protect yourself, never cut off a big rig or linger on either the left or right side. And never tailgate, either, since an underride accident can be deadly.

What if a Truck Was in the Left Lane During Your Accident?

With so much traffic, I-95 and other highways see a large number of wrecks, including commercial vehicle accidents. Because the vehicles are traveling at high speeds, injuries tend to be severe. Property damage is extensive, and the highway could be shut down for hours.

Accident victims have a strong case if the trucker was driving in the prohibited left lane. Truck accident cases are based on negligence, which is the failure to use ordinary care.

A trucker who drives in a prohibited lane has committed negligence per se. That means that a violation of the safety law is sufficient proof that the defendant was careless. The no trucks in the left lane law is exactly the type of safety regulation designed to reduce accidents, so any violation typically qualifies as negligence.

JustCallMoe quickly to speak with a Winter Haven truck accident lawyer. We want to document that the truck was in the wrong lane. Some evidence could be photographs of the vehicles. If the vehicles come to a rest in the left lane, that is solid proof that the trucker was breaking the law.

Other evidence includes witnesses who can testify that the trucker was in the wrong lane. They can talk to your attorney, who can include their testimony in a demand letter for compensation.

How Trucking Companies Respond

Truckers face intense pressure to reach their destinations. The current trucking recession only adds to the stress, as many truckers fear losing their jobs. Beating a deadline is critical for the transportation industry, and a speeding trucker will naturally pull into the left lane to pass slower vehicles.

If a trucker causes a collision, the trucking company usually mounts a defense. Their insurance is responsible for paying compensation, so they try to minimize any payout. One strategy is to outright deny that their trucker broke the left lane law. If you have solid evidence, such as witnesses in your corner, then this defense is usually not successful.

Another defense tactic is to blame your negligence for an accident. That could reduce your compensation or, if you are mostly at fault, could prevent you from seeking any compensation. As an example, they might claim you pulled directly in front of the truck, precipitating a collision. Or they might argue you were on your phone and oblivious to what was happening on the freeway around you. JustCallMoe to respond to any allegation that you were negligent while driving your vehicle.

Speak with Our Winter Haven Truck Accident Lawyer Today

JustCallMoe Injury and Accident Attorneys has helped countless accident victims injured on Florida’s highways. We are not afraid of big trucking companies, but we will stand up and protect our clients’ rights. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.