Roundabouts, also referred to as traffic circles, are one-way circular intersections meant to replace regular intersections. Unlike the latter, roundabouts don’t have stop signs. Instead, drivers must yield when entering and exiting a roundabout and travel in a counterclockwise direction.

Roundabouts are most widespread in European countries; however, the number of roundabouts in the U.S. has been steadily increasing since their introduction in the 1990s. According to the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), there are over 300 roundabouts in the Sunshine State, which means you’ve likely encountered at least one while driving.

Although the idea behind roundabouts is to improve traffic flow and increase safety, paradoxically there are many accidents that occur at roundabouts. Many of these crashes can be attributed to drivers being unfamiliar with these types of intersections and the traffic rules governing them.

If you were injured in a roundabout accident in Florida due to someone else’s poor driving, contact a knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorney who can help you file a personal injury claim and pursue compensation for your damages.

Common Reasons for Accidents at Roundabout Intersections in Florida

Failure to Yield to Traffic in the Circle

Motor vehicle operators are supposed to yield to traffic in the circle when entering a roundabout. Failure to do so can result in accidents, particularly rear-end collisions. Since traffic in roundabouts moves counterclockwise, drivers entering the circle should always yield to vehicles coming from their left and enter only when the way is clear.

Failure to Yield to Bicyclists and Pedestrians

You should be extra cautious when sharing the roundabout with bicyclists and pedestrians. Keep in mind, both have the right of way, meaning you must always yield to people using sidewalks and bike lanes. If you fail to do so, you could cause a serious and even life-threatening accident, especially if the person you hit wasn’t wearing a helmet.

Stopping Abruptly

The idea behind a roundabout is for traffic to move continuously and without interruption. Sometimes drivers stop in the circle because they’re confused or don’t want to miss their turn. This innocent mistake can easily interrupt the flow of traffic and result in rear-end collisions.

Speeding

When you’re getting ready to enter a roundabout, you must yield to other drivers which requires slowing down and sometimes even stopping. Speeding can cause you to enter the circle too soon and cause a crash. When driving in the roundabout, it’s important to reduce speed to no more than 20 mph. If you’re speeding, you may not have enough time to slow down when others are exiting the circle, which could result in a rear-end collision.

Speeding can also cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, such as when taking a sharp turn, and swerve into another lane.

Using the Wrong Lane

A multi-lane roundabout can be dangerous when a driver realizes they’re in the wrong lane to exit a circle. This realization may cause the driver to abruptly swerve or switch lanes and cause a rear-end or sideswipe collision.

Preventing Roundabout Traffic Accidents

Although you cannot control the actions of other drivers, following the basic safety rules for roundabouts can help you avoid a collision:

• Slow down as you approach the roundabout and reduce your speed to no more than 20 mph
• Yield to oncoming drivers before entering the roundabout
• Use your turn signal when exiting the roundabout
• Give trucks and large vehicles sufficient space to maneuver and exit the roundabout
• Always yield to bicyclists and pedestrians
• Don’t stop once you’ve entered the traffic circle
• Choose the correct lane before entering the roundabout—take the right lane to turn right

Roundabout Accident Attorneys in Florida

If you were injured in a roundabout accident in Florida, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may not be eager to offer you the compensation you’re rightfully owed for your damages.

If you do experience unfair treatment or other issues, such as a claim denial or underpayment after filing your personal injury claim, contact the Kanner & Pintaluga team for help. Our experienced car accident lawyers are here to offer legal counsel and fight aggressively on your behalf to get the maximum settlement for your losses.

Tell us about your case by calling 800.586.5555.