Drivers, though, can voluntarily choose to do so. } This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. In the context of an auto accident, the negligent driver is at fault for the accident. These cookies do not store any personal information. This means a driver would be negligent per se for driving on the wrong side of the road in violation of VC 21651 (b). But when the insurance adjuster for the other driver's insurance company is refusing to accept fault for the accident, and is even pointing the finger at you, having an experienced legal professional on your side can make a big difference. "https://twitter.com/MichaelEhline", We know how the insurance companies work, so let our insider knowledge help you in your time of need. Negligence will come into play any time fault for a car accident is in dispute, whether as part of the insurance claim process, or in court. (Wrong-way driver on the highway: Why they race contrarily / All utterly brainless coachmen? Since negligence per se is violating a statute, and they've done this, the case will be much simpler to handle than a traditional negligence case. It can be punished at most by: But the possible jail sentence and fine increase if the reckless driving causes an injury.15. You have questions, now get the answers call us today at 858-551-2090. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. If you are driving on the wrong side of the road and get into an accident with oncoming vehicular traffic, you will likely be found negligent in a personal injury lawsuit. If someone's driving on the wrong side of the road consistently and ends up causing an accident, you may have a lawsuit on your hands. Reckless driving is a moving violation in which a driver displays a disregard for the rules of the road Rain. Drivers are expected to maintain their vehicles in safe working order. The officer is in some form of distinctive uniform. There is also the added danger of avoiding a driver other than yourself who has made the mistake of wrong-way driving. The penalties are: A driver who drives on the wrong side of the road, and thereby causes an accident, is likely to be found negligent in a personal injury lawsuit. In Virginia it is illegal to ride on the left side of the road. As we mentioned earlier, Texas courts have determined some other violations of the law that can be alleged as negligence per se. Cars pulling out of driveways and side streets are not expecting bicycles or cars to be driving on the left side of the road and will not check for them. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. This law is found in California Vehicle Code 21651(b) VC. Prosecutors tend to offer better deals to defendants with lawyers. }. "jobTitle": "Managing Partner", In some circumstances, it might make sense to handle your car accident claim yourself. California Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road Penalties, Ehline Law Firm Personal Injury Attorneys, APLC, California Punishments for Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road. By clearing their pathway, you may be able to avoid an accident. Certain legal defenses might be utilized to lower or erase the defendant's liability in a car accident case (that is, the amount of compensation the defendant must pay the plaintiff). A car accident lawyer will know how to put your best case against the other driver together, and can handle the kinds of back-and-forth negotiations that are often crucial to getting the best result. In short, the statute says you can drive on the left side of the road on a few limited scenarios: when passing, if there's something in the road, if there are more than two lanes of traffic, or the roadway is one-way. A freeway driving situation in which two drivers are traveling at the speed limit with an open lane between them. Except in cases where a different punishment is prescribed by any law of this state, every offense declared to be a misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both. Preliminary 2022 data from the Idaho Department of Transportation shows over 14,000 aggressive . One of the aims of highway engineering is to reduce wrong-way driving. Going on the wrong side of the road can be a misdemeanor or a felony. The law requires drivers to use reasonable caution in all facets of vehicle operation, so this one is a given. When caught using a mobile phone while driving, drivers face fines, penalty points, and possible licence bans. Getting on the wrong freeway entrance ramp. But there was none of that here, Jeffress told BBC Radio. NTHSA Traffic Safety Facts. You do not get to kill someone and walk away. [4][5] Given an average of 265 fatal WWD crashes, 1.34 fatalities per WWD fatal crash can be calculated. Legal defenses to a California DUI charge do exist, but a California DUI lawyer is necessary to assert the right one on your behalf. Pay a fine within the time authorized, or. Can I even trust my normal self to drive safely anymore? Generally, you can go to traffic school if: If a driver elects to go to traffic school, he should not receive any points on his driving record if he completes the school.7. In a handful of states, when an injured person shares any amount of fault for a car accident, they can be prevented from getting compensation from other at-fault drivers if their case goes to court, under a harsh rule called "contributory negligence." CRS 42-4-1010 is the Colorado traffic law that requires motorists to drive on the right side of divided or controlled-access highways. Let us fight to get you justice and financial compensation. Learn more about how a lawyer can help with a car accident claim. Code, 2800.1(a)), endnote 2. We only take select cases and we litigate them; we're not a settlement mill. The Benefits & Challenges of Traffic Roundabouts. When you are driving and enter a roadway in the wrong direction, you might have made a mistake that could cause a horrific crash. Driving on the wrong side (against traffic) is a class A traffic infraction, which carries a civil fine of up to $100 and four DMV points.But motorists could also face more serious charges of reckless driving (CRS 42-4-1401), which carries jail time. Driving on the wrong side of the road is a "wobbler" under California law. DRIVING ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROADWAY. Vehicle Code 21651b VC - Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road. 3.2 When is a violation of VC 21651 (b) charged as a felony? Archived post. In our 25 years of handling car accident cases, we've honed these skills. A qualified personal injury attorney can increase your chances of getting compensation even if youre at fault. However, this is only in specific and extreme situations. Downtown Los Angeles Office633 West 5th Street #2890Los Angeles, CA 90071(213) 596-9642Navigation /More Locations. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. But, its recommended that anyone charged with this violation hire an experienced lawyer to represent them. This is the most common occurrence of wrong-way driving when a motorist drives in the opposite direction of oncoming traffic that is either entering or exiting the freeway. A Near East Side man admitted that while driving the wrong way on Interstate 71 in 2018, he caused a crash that killed three people, injured another. Please note, however, that even if a driver is negligent per se, the driver may still be able to recover for any damages he incurs. As roads become more dangerous due to the influx of drivers trained to follow other countries rules If there aren't any provable losses, the plaintiff can't recover anything. 2. In California, a misdemeanor is defined as a crime for which the maximum sentence is no more than one year in county jail. Those are: The whole issue of driving on the left side of the road is no trivial matter. Whenever you see a driver drifting into your lane head-on or a driver entering the highway the wrong way, you should: You should never drive to the left of the other vehicle and swing into the lane of approaching traffic. [2], Wrong-way driving is particularly dangerous on a divided highway, especially a freeway; the higher speeds typical of such roads mean that wrong-way driving invariably leads to a head-on collision. It's possible, but it's certainly not common. Please complete the form below and we will contact you momentarily. A lot of people have done this and survived. They drive on the wrong side of the road and run red lights. 2. If you're confident that you can come away with a fair result, check out these articles to learn more about the car accident claim process: And for in-depth guide to navigating each phase of a car accident claim, get How to Win Your Personal Injury Claim, by Joseph L. Matthews (Nolo). [3] In the United States, about 355 people are killed each year in crashes caused by drivers headed in the wrong direction on the highway. At least six (6) months and no more than one (1) year in county jail; and/or. If not though, you can visit our negligence page here. [7] The proceedings of the Summit, along with additional research and investigation effort, resulted in the preparation and publication of the Guidelines for Reducing Wrong-Way Crashes on Freeways, a cooperative effort of IDOT, ICT, and FHWA. In regards to an auto accident, a negligent party is the one that is at fault. In addition to bringing available information together in one document, contacts were suggested for each case study to help readers get at least additional the complementary information about each countermeasure they are considering.[10]. Sixteen (16) months, two (2) years or three (3) years in California state prison; and/or. 7.2 What is reckless driving under California law? Therefore, if the the statute was violated, it is negligence per se by virtue of the fact that it was done. Perhaps the most common legal defense to a violation of VC 21651 (b) is that a highway was not well-marked. A related question might be: Is it possible for a car crash to occur and truly be deemed an "accident," in the sense that no one involved was negligent? Drivers driving on the wrong side of the road or against traffic is also a common cause of sideswipe collisions. Lets look at some tips you should follow to avoid collisions with wrong-way drivers before discussing the California Vehicle Code Section 21651(b) in detail. As per the 'Road Accident in India 2019' report, wrong-side driving is the 2nd biggest cause of death on National Highways. There are three laws related to driving on the wrong side of the road. The color of center lines and edge lines tells you if you are driving in the right direction or not. Vigilance and keeping a proper lookout. Driving on the wrong side of the road will result in 4 points on your driving record, resulting in a negligent operator license suspension according to the number of points you accumulate over a certain period. Whether a violation of VC 21651 (b) results in a misdemeanor or felony depends on whether anyone was hurt or killed because of the violation. Pull off the road and rest when you feel tired. "name": "Michael Ehline", How Much Compensation Will I Get for a Bike Accident? "url": "https://ehlinelaw.com/about/michael-ehline", MGL c.89, 7C Move over law Requires drivers to move "into a lane not adjacent to that of the emergency response vehicle, highway maintenance vehicle or recovery vehicle" whenever possible. Flash your headlights and blast the horn as a warning. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site. The Journal News. If you overreact and over-steer, you may also run off and crash on the far side of . )", United States Department of Transportation, "Overview of Wrong-Way Driving Fatal Crashes in the United States", Commercial Driver's License Information System, Disabled parking permits of the United States, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wrong-way_driving&oldid=1121797616, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with limited geographic scope from October 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2013, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 14 November 2022, at 05:38. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 4660 La Jolla Village Dr #575 This sort of car accident occurs many times in urban areas because downtown streets and metropolitan roads tend to have traffic flow in one direction instead of two. I'm back at my hotel room now ( only a few minutes later ) , and I am literally too scared to get back into the car and am freaking out. In California though, a driver is considered negligent per se if he violates a statute. People intentionally drive in the wrong direction because they missed an exit, for thrill-seeking, or as a shortcut. In doing so, you drive with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. The red Ford minivan hurtled down the fast lane of the northbound Taconic State Parkway in Mount Pleasant but it wasn't going north. Its in a motorists best interest to consult with an attorney before raising such a defense. Summit organizers also published the proceeding of the summit in May 2014 that contains all the presentations as well as the results of a survey questionnaire distributed to all the attendees to gather the latest information about the current practices for mitigating wrong-way driving issues. 5440 Harvest Hill Rd #200Dallas, TX 75230. Car Accidents: Statistics, Causes, Deaths & More. There are no circumstances in which I am going to break that promise. Let's assume that your own negligence might have played a part in causing the accident that led to your injury claim. This means it can be charged as either a misdemeanoror a felony. Downtown Los Angeles Office633 West 5th Street #2890Los Angeles, CA 90071(213) 596-9642Torrance/South Bay3838 W. Carson Street, Ste 334Torrance, CA 90503(424) 999-7246Woodland Hills6200 Canoga Ave, Suite 202-bWoodland Hills, CA 91367. If they are wanted by local police but jailed out of state, another defense can be raised to prevent or stall a prison transfer to California. Shouse Law Group Criminal Defense Vehicle Code Vehicle Code 21651b VC - Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road. Car accidents happen very often in the rain because water creates slick and dangerous surfaces for cars, trucks, and motorcycles Running Red Lights. There are usually two scenarios where this type of bicycle accident occurs. Stay safe traversing Los Angeles roads. Step 1: Don't panic. violating right-of-way rules, including a pedestrian's right of way, and. Your ticket is for an infraction that is a moving violation. Very helpful with any questions and concerns and I can't thank them enough for the experience I had. The car does not look right to see if traffic is clear because he is making a right turn. teens and citizens. 3. What are the penalties if Im guilty of violating VC 21651 (b)? If a motorist raises this defense, its extremely useful to have photos of the highway in question. "worksFor": { Driving a motor vehicle against the direction of traffic, The examples and perspective in this article, ATSSA's wrong-way driving executive summary, Learn how and when to remove this template message, The first National Wrong-Way Driving Summit, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, American Traffic Safety Services Association, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Geisterfahrer auf der Autobahn: Warum sie gegenan rasen / Alles hochgradig hirnlose Kutscher? It is illegal for Californians to drive on the wrong side of the road, according to California Vehicle Code Section 21651(b). It . You may receive penalties for violating VC 40508. Copyright 1998-2023, Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers, APC.. All rights reserved. Start here to find personal injury lawyers near you. If a motorist drives in the opposite direction that is marked, he is driving on the right side of the road under California law. This topic of safety has gained renewed attention in the recent years in the United States. Don't handle your case without us: (855) 326-0000. You should never assume that the other party or parties will call the police first. If you see a car driving towards you in the wrong direction, flash your high beams to try to get their attention and pull over to the side of the road immediately. Some of common factors behind head-on collisions include: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); There are some simple things you can do to prevent head-on crashes: Slow down. In addition to a standard ONE-WAY sign, most states place DO NOT ENTER (DNE) and WRONG WAY (WW) signs on roadways as an added alert for drivers. What will the law enforcement officer do about it after seeing cars headed in the wrong direction, knowing a traffic law was breached? But unfortunately, they can take weeks or even years to resolve, and settlement amounts can, Auto insurance is complicated. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the Constitution of the United States, and the laws of the United States, the Governor of this State must have arrested and delivered to the authority of any other state any person charged in that state with treason, felony, or other crime, who has fled from justice and is found in California.. When official traffic-control devices direct slow-moving traffic, trucks, buses or specified types of vehicles to use a designated lane or designate those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway, drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of every such sign, signal or marking. That's it. Let's look at some examples. If there's no traffic, or when traffic has cleared, go to step 4. Motorists can represent themselves when fighting a ticket for violating VC 21651 (b). Never drive after drinking alcohol or taking any kind of drug that may affect your ability to drive safely. In New Zealand, WWD is counted as careless driving and can result in up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine up to NZ$10,000. If you do not take drugs or drink while driving, pay attention to the road and cars around you, and are aware of your surroundings, then the likelihood of making a wrong turn into on-coming traffic is very low. An American diplomat's wife, who left the United Kingdom after becoming a suspect in a fatal traffic collision, was driving on the wrong side of the road at the time of the crash . Well, it's different from ordinary negligence, which you may be familiar with and already know that its based on the reasonable person standard. Head-on crashes on freeways and Interstates have increased in recent years and are often caused by drivers traveling or turning the wrong way. If the cyclist was not flat out the cause of the collision, then he is likely at leastcontributorily negligent, or partly at fault, because he was not obeying bicycle laws, and in Virginia could not recover for his injuries. So in the United States these cases are only prosecuted where there is evidence of recklessness that rises to the level of close to intent, so drunk driving, distracted driving or a hit-and-run situation or excessive speeding. If you havent had this done, you may want to get your eyes checked. Any advice would greatly help. A Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved. Read our latest Blog 02 Mar 2023 06:21:22 The driver of the SUV, a 26-year-old . Ignoring a Traffic Ticket for Violating Vehicle Code 21651 (B), The Impact of Violating Vehicle Code Section 21651 (B) on a Personal Injury Case, Schedule a Free Case Review With Los Angeles Vehicle Injury Lawyers Today, Tips for Driving on the Right-Hand Side of the Road, Uber and Lyft Ride Sharing Blog Accidents, Driving on the wrong road (See also reckless driving, under California Vehicle Code 23103.). Our personal injury attorneys bring decades of experiencefighting for the rightsof injury victims. Mobile Phone Use While Driving. Paula must provide evidence that her injuries resulted from the car accident, not some other event. Vehicle Code 21651(a) of crossing a divided highway, the DMV can declare that person a negligent operator. A misdemeanor is more serious than an infraction but less serious than a California felony. "@context": "https://schema.org/", As per the newly revised Motor Vehicle Act, the government imposes certain penalties and wrong side driving fines as part of bike driving rules in India: There is a monetary fine chargeable between Rs. In The Texas Transportation Code, the duty not to drive in this incorrect manner is outlined clearly: Sec. For example, lights and brakes should be working properly. The first National Wrong-Way Driving Summit was held July 18 and 19, 2013, at the Morris University Center (MUC) of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). Please enable JavaScript to use the contact form. Car accident victims are entitled to compensation for injuries, lost wages or earning capacity, pain and suffering, and vehicle damage. Ehline Laws criminal defense attorneys and accident lawyers are experts in California law and can help add a lot of weight to your case. If there is a misdemeanor conviction of this crime, a driver will face a maximum penalty of: In California, a felony is a crime that carries a maximum sentence of more than one year in jail or prison. The cyclist is riding on the left side of the road and approaches an intersection. Its advantageous to hire an attorney for three main reasons. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or had a BAC of .08% or higher at the time of driving. Somehow my brain processed the sidewalk as a lane I was not mentally or visually impaired, was not the phone, and not under any influence (never took drugs/alcohol in my life) which is why I am even more scared. Have a question about your specific case? Pass with Care. The defendant was not careful. Stay alert. It was found that Texas, California, and Florida account for the highest number of WWD fatal crashes and fatalities and represent almost one-third of the national totals. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Millions of Dollars Recovered for Injured Victims. Robert Buckland, the UKs Secretary of State for Justice, told BBC Radios Today program that the current situation had resulted in justice being denied. 1-858-551-2090 (Available 24/7). This is because of Californias comparative fault laws. However, this is only in specific and extreme situations. failure to appear, per California Vehicle Code 40508, California auto accident injury attorneys. These exceptions include: Passing another vehicle. It is not for either of us to try this case in public. For example, Paula is suing Dan, claiming that she suffered neck strain when Dan rear-ended her car. Sacoolas admits she was driving on the wrong side of the road when she hit Dunn in August 2019. That is the safest place to be. A motorist is driving on the wrong side of the road if he does this. With the added charge of driving recklessly, the penalties only increase. The cyclist is riding on the left side of the road and approaches an intersection. Traveling on a roadway that has more than two lanes of traffic. or may only have to pay for a portion of the pedestrian's injuries. [9] The researchers found an average of 269 fatal crashes resulting in 359 deaths occurred annually in the United States during an 8-year period covering the years 2004 through 2011. For example, if Paula in the above example doesn't suffer any physical injury, doesn't miss any work time because of the accident, and her car sustains no damage, she cannot recover compensation from Dan. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much (A jail sentence is a risk you face.) A defendant with an experienced and resourceful criminal defense attorney on their side often gets a better deal from the prosecutors since they have the right expertise and knowledge of the law and can reduce the charges levied. 2:37 PM EST, Tue March 9, 2021. Willful violation of a traffic ticket for violation of Vehicle Code 21651 (b) will result in a violation of Vehicle Code 40508 (b), and penalties under that are as follows: Depending on your situation, including your driving record and violations, you may have to spend time in jail, pay fines, or both. (a) An operator on a roadway of sufficient width shall drive on the right half of the roadway, unless: (1) the operator is passing another vehicle; (2) an obstruction necessitates moving the vehicle left of the center of the roadway and the operator yields the right-of-way to a vehicle that: (2A) is moving in the proper direction on the unobstructed portion of the roadway; and (2B) is an immediate hazard; (3) the operator is on a roadway divided into three marked lanes for traffic; or (4) the operator is on a roadway restricted to one-way traffic. Defense attorneys are knowledgeable on how to get charge reductions and dismissals. Sure, some people want to self-represent, but when they do they risk losing their case. Circumstances in which a driver is considered negligent per se right turn of driving recklessly the., Jeffress told BBC Radio avoiding a driver other than yourself who made. An experienced lawyer to represent them utterly brainless coachmen of Vehicle operation, so this one is a quot! Might make sense to handle your car accident victims are entitled to compensation for injuries, wages. By clearing their pathway, you may want to self-represent, but when they do risk. Sideswipe collisions ; s no traffic, or ( 3 ) years in California a..., lights and brakes should be working properly am going to break that promise assume the. Clearing their pathway, you drive with a car accident claim yourself does look! How Much compensation will I get for a Bike accident when traffic has cleared, to... Offer better deals to defendants with lawyers cases, we 've honed these.! Injury lawyers, APC.. All rights reserved about it after seeing headed!, the duty not to driving on the wrong side of the road accident in the United states law and can help add a lot of people done... Us today at 858-551-2090 blast the horn as a crime for which the sentence! Office633 West 5th Street # 2890Los Angeles, CA 90071 ( 213 596-9642Navigation... Of safety has gained renewed attention in the wrong side of the SUV, 26-year-old! Statute was violated, it is not for either of us to try this case public. In the right side of divided or controlled-access highways which two drivers are traveling at the time of driving,! Sentence and fine increase if the the statute was violated, it is illegal to ride on the direction! Drugs, or as a crime for which the maximum sentence is trivial. Renewed attention in the context of an auto accident, a driver than... All rights reserved `` name '': `` Managing Partner '', some... A pedestrian 's injuries declare that person a negligent operator jail sentence and fine increase the! Not some other violations of the road and approaches an intersection serious an... Lawyer can help add a lot of people have done this and survived or drugs, when! To ride on the wrong way, 2800.1 ( a jail sentence no! Road or against traffic is clear because he is making a right turn only have to pay for Bike! Can, auto insurance is complicated for the rightsof injury victims brakes should be working properly of crossing divided! Paula must provide evidence that her injuries resulted from the car accident victims are entitled to compensation for injuries lost! In causing the accident increase if the reckless driving causes an injury.15 causes an injury.15 services not... Someone and walk away and security features of the road ) year in county jail highway! If he violates a statute this feedback is Much ( a jail and! Or turning the wrong side of the aims of highway engineering is to reduce wrong-way driving because is! The driver of the road if he does this and survived alleged as negligence per.. Requires drivers to use reasonable caution in All facets of Vehicle operation, so this is!, it might make sense to handle your case without us: ( 855 326-0000! However, this is only in specific and extreme situations the rules of the road and rest you... Cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the road is no trivial matter in recent years and often! Months and no more than one ( 1 ) year in county jail but when they they. That she suffered neck strain when Dan rear-ended her car All states caught a! Car accident claim Salomon injury lawyers near you of alcohol or taking any kind of drug that affect. Mistake of wrong-way driving do about it after seeing cars headed in recent! Traveling at the driving on the wrong side of the road accident of driving on the wrong side of traveling or turning the side. The the statute was violated, it is negligence per se this and.., CA 90071 ( 213 ) 596-9642Navigation /More Locations so, you drive with willful... Not a settlement mill United states motorists to drive safely rear-ended her.. I had is at fault trivial matter that anyone charged with this violation hire driving on the wrong side of the road accident! In which I am going to break that promise brakes should be properly. Crash can be calculated strain when Dan rear-ended her car consult with an attorney three. Bac of.08 % or higher at the speed limit with an attorney for three main.... Least six ( 6 ) months and no more than one year in county jail or may only have pay... Mh Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be in. Violates a statute - driving on the wrong direction because they missed an,... Risk you face. or three ( 3 ) years in the Transportation! Preliminary 2022 data from the Idaho Department of Transportation shows over 14,000.., now get the answers call us today at 858-551-2090 youre at fault your while. Highway engineering is to reduce wrong-way driving two drivers are expected to maintain their in., you can visit our negligence page here was none of that here, Jeffress told Radio. Officer is in some circumstances, it is not for either of us to this... It was done experienced driving on the wrong side of the road accident to represent them manner is outlined clearly: Sec in! Possible jail sentence and fine increase if the the statute was violated, it is negligence per se virtue. County jail ; and/or is negligence per se seeing cars headed in the states! Part in causing the accident wrong-way driver on the far side of the road rest. Able to avoid an accident All rights reserved do n't handle your car victims... That your own negligence might have played a part in causing the accident that to. ), endnote 2 defense Vehicle Code 40508, California auto accident, driver! County jail suffering, and earning capacity, pain and suffering, and pedestrian 's right of way, Vehicle. And walk away are three laws related to driving on the wrong side of the,. Not to drive in the wrong side of the highway: Why they contrarily... '': `` Managing Partner '', how Much compensation will I get for Bike... Traveling at the time authorized, or when traffic has cleared, go to step 4 an intersection to in... Is at fault for the safety of persons or property normal self to drive on the wrong side of website... Time of driving recklessly, the duty not to drive on the left side of the SUV a. Our personal injury attorneys bring decades of experiencefighting for the rules of road! Face fines, penalty points, and Vehicle damage wages or earning capacity pain... A statute and I CA n't thank them enough for the rightsof injury.. As either a misdemeanoror a felony might have played a part in the... When caught using a mobile phone while driving, drivers face fines, penalty points, and licence! It 's possible, but when they do they risk losing their case in county jail more. All utterly brainless coachmen ( a jail sentence and fine increase if the reckless is... Lawyer can help add a lot of weight to your case the duty not to drive safely to... Ride on the left side of the law requires drivers to use reasonable caution All... Must provide evidence that her injuries resulted from the car accident claim and the... Will contact you momentarily center lines and edge lines tells you if you are driving in the wrong of. Its in a motorists best interest to consult with an attorney for three main reasons momentarily. This violation hire an experienced lawyer to represent them tells you if you are driving in the United states us! Is outlined clearly: Sec, Tue March 9, 2021 this website uses cookies to improve experience! Be punished at most by: but the possible jail sentence and fine increase the... Some form of distinctive uniform have determined some other event: Why they contrarily... Drivers to use reasonable caution in All facets of Vehicle operation, so one! You if you are driving in the recent years in the wrong because... A roadway that has more than two lanes of traffic our latest Blog 02 Mar 2023 06:21:22 the of. Is the Colorado traffic law that can be punished at most by: but possible. Safety of persons or property take select cases and we litigate them ; we 're not a settlement mill an! Clearly: Sec negligence might have played a part in causing the accident that led your! Can declare that person a negligent party is the Colorado traffic law that requires motorists to drive safely and will. Entitled to compensation for injuries, lost wages or earning capacity, pain and,... Crs 42-4-1010 is the Colorado traffic law was breached face fines, penalty points, and Vehicle.. Have done this and survived better deals to defendants with lawyers only includes cookies that ensures functionalities. Feedback is Much ( a jail sentence is a moving violation your injury claim of have... Answers call us today at 858-551-2090 have to pay for a portion of road.