Florida School Zone Accident Lawyer Keeping Children Safe

School zones are supposed to be safe spaces where children can walk and ride their bikes without vehicles speeding by, and where parents can feel comfortable knowing that drivers will be attentive to their surroundings. Unfortunately, many drivers are not as attentive as they should be, and pedestrian accidents in school zones are far too common. If your family needs a Florida school zone accident lawyer, we can help, and we encourage you to contact us promptly for a free initial consultation.

Our Florida Car Accident Lawyers Explains School Zone Laws

The Florida legislature has enacted several laws that are intended specifically to protect children who are walking and riding their bikes in school zones. When a driver violates one of these laws (or any of Florida’s other traffic laws) and causes an accident in a school zone, that driver can be held liable for all of the financial and non-financial costs the child’s family incurs as a result of the accident. Some examples of Florida’s laws that protect children in school zones include:

• Florida Statute §316.1895 – The maximum speed limit in a school zone is 20 miles per hour.

• Florida Statute §316.305 – It is illegal to text and drive in a school zone.

• Florida Statute §316.306 – It is illegal to use a handheld cell phone for any purpose while driving in a school zone.

Common Car Accidents Near Schools

Speeding, texting, talking on the phone and other dangerous driving behaviors can lead to various types of accidents in and around school zones. At Searcy Denney, we help families in Florida recover just compensation for accidents including:

• Car door accidents (i.e. when a driver opens his or her door in the path of an approaching bicycle rider)

• Child bicycling accidents

• Child pedestrian accidents

• Intersection accidents

• Rear-end collisions and other fender benders

Driving Safe in a Florida School Zone

Given the importance of driving safely in school zones – and the obvious risks that arise when drivers do not operate their vehicles safely in the presence of children – what can (and should) drivers do to avoid causing school zone accidents. Our auto accident attorneys recommend:

• Never pick up your phone behind the wheel;

• Never speed in a school zone;

• Be aware of the risk that children may suddenly enter the road, and drive defensively at all times;

• When in doubt, slow down, and wait until you know it is safe to proceed cautiously; and,

• Expect delays when approaching a school zone during morning pickup or afternoon drop-off hours, and do not drive aggressively under any circumstances.

Contact a Florida School Zone Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If your child has been injured in a school zone accident in Florida, our personal injury attorneys are here to make sure your family has the financial resources it needs to manage your child’s recovery. To learn more, schedule a free consultation today. You can reach us by phone 24/7 at 800-780-8607, or tell us how we can reach you online and we will respond promptly.