Tyler Gross | July 15, 2025 | Personal Injury
Right-of-way laws in Florida regulate traffic flow and keep roads safer overall. In some cases, such as at intersections, the right of way is controlled by certain traffic signs and signals. Other situations rely on the drivers’ knowledge of the law to know when to yield and when to proceed.
This makes ensuring you are familiar with these statutes vital. Failing to yield the right of way can not only earn you a citation, but it can also lead to car accidents. But what does failing to yield the right of way in the Sunshine State mean? Here’s what you need to know.
Types of Right-of-Way Laws
Florida traffic laws are similar to those in most other states. Perhaps the most notable regulations to keep in mind are those involving pedestrians, intersections, and commercial trucks.
Pedestrians
Pedestrians typically have the right of way when crossing the road at any type of crosswalk. Furthermore, all intersections are considered to have a crosswalk, even when that crosswalk isn’t marked on the pavement.
This means that if you see a pedestrian crossing at an intersection or at a marked crosswalk not located at an intersection, you should slow down or stop as needed. If you don’t, that could be considered as failing to yield the right of way, and if a pedestrian accident results, you could be held civilly and criminally liable.
An exception to this is at intersections that are controlled by traffic signals. When there is a functioning traffic signal at an intersection, the pedestrian must obey the traffic signal. If they cross against the signal, you might not be found to be at fault for an accident, even at a marked crosswalk.
Intersections
Many right-of-way laws cover what to do at intersections.
For example, at an open intersection without traffic signals or controls, you will need to yield the right of way in these situations:
- Another car is already present at the intersection
- You are entering or crossing a highway or interstate from a secondary road
- You are entering a paved street from an unpaved road
When you don’t follow these rules, that can be considered failing to yield the right of way.
Trucks
Many drivers make the mistake of assuming that different right-of-way laws apply to trucks. For example, they may believe that trucks are required to yield the right of way to passenger vehicles on highways or intersections. As a result, car drivers may proceed with reduced caution around these massive vehicles, thinking they are protected as pedestrians are.
However, in Florida, all vehicles are expected to obey the same right-of-way laws. This means that whether you share the road with commercial trucks, motorcycles, or other vehicles, you will want to yield the right of way just as you would with passenger vehicles.
Failing to yield the right of way to a truck when appropriate can have serious consequences. For example, a collision could occur if you enter a highway from a secondary road and do not give the right of way to an approaching truck. Due to the size of these vehicles, truck accidents can result in severe injuries.
Reach Out to Our Law Office for Help
Right-of-way laws protect you and others on the road from harm. Failing to yield the right of way when the law requires it can result in criminal or civil consequences in the event of an accident. By knowing and respecting the laws, you protect yourself from these dangers and help make Florida roads safer for everyone.
If you’ve been injured by someone else failing to follow right-of-way laws, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Pensacola personal injury lawyers at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in North Florida
If you’ve been injured in an accident, please contact our experienced car accident lawyers in Florida at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today. We have five convenient locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview, Milton, and Mary Esther.
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Pensacola Office
803 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: (850) 434-3333
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Navarre Office
9933 Navarre Pkwy
Navarre, FL 32566
Phone: (850) 757-2898
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Crestview Office
1501 S Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 407-7726
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Milton Office
6373 US-90
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: (850) 790-7790
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Mary Esther Office
151 Mary Esther Blvd Suite 103A
Mary Esther, FL 32569
Phone: (850) 809-0170