Blog

Can You Legally Move Onto an Intersection While Waiting to Make a Turn?

There are many rules of the road, especially as it comes to appropriate turning. While most drivers have the basics down, many lesser-known laws can confuse drivers and lead to frustration. After all, no one wants to be stuck at a yellow light, wondering if they can turn or not.

Left turns seem to be the trickiest. Where right turns usually have clear-cut answers of when you can and cannot turn, left turns are not always as clear. If you think your traffic ticket was issued in an area without clear signage and directions, contact a Miami traffic attorney. Our law firm can help you fight your traffic ticket for as little as $69.

The best rule to remember is that you should not begin a turn, right or left, if you cannot complete it.

For example, if you want to make a left turn on a yellow light, in some cases, you may be able to exit into the intersection before the left turn (as long as all traffic signals permit). However, if you are in the intersection and you cannot complete the turn and are “stuck” in the intersection because of traffic, you may find yourself in a bind.

Always assess traffic and follow traffic signals before making turns.

This information is for educational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice. If you have specific questions regarding traffic signals and the law, please speak to an attorney. If you have questions regarding a red light ticket, please contact a red light camera violation attorney.

Florida Hardship License

Drivers who have their licenses suspended may be eligible for a Florida Hardship License. This restricted license allows people to drive to school or work-related activities. Typically, those eligible will have had a first-offense DUI or an otherwise clean driving record. Drivers may use this license to get around as they await the end of their license suspension period.

If you have questions about your license suspension, contact a Miami traffic attorney at Hochman and Goldin, P.A.

To know if you are eligible for a hardship license, you will need to contact the regional Bureau of Administrative Reviews. The following are the typical criteria for receiving a hardship license:

• You must enroll in DUI school – this is only for drivers who have license suspension due to a DUI conviction.

• If your suspension resulted from something else, you will need to enroll in the 12-hour Florida ADI course. You must be currently enrolled when applying for a hardship license, and the course needs to be completed within 90 days.

• You will have to pay fees for your application – a $12 fee for hardship hearing filing and a $45 reinstatement fee for license suspension.

• There will typically be a hearing officer assigned to your case, in which they will be the one to review your request.

This is not an extensive list of requirements in the process of getting a hardship license in Florida. There may be additional requirements you must meet depending on your specific case, including the reason for license suspension.

You are not required to get a hardship license. You can still wait out your suspension period if you choose.

Questions about other traffic violations? Contact a red light camera violation attorney.

What Are the Consequences of Leaving the Scene of an Accident in Florida?

Leaving the scene of an accident is referred to as the act of an individual involved in an auto accident leaving the scene without providing necessary information. Accidents can include property damage, injury, death, or a combination of the three. As mandated by Florida law, the information you must provide is your name and license, address, car registration, and car insurance. If there are severe injuries, the driver must attempt to give necessary support in access to urgent healthcare. You can also be penalized for not reporting damage.

In other words, leaving the scene of an accident is a hit-and-run accident.

If you are involved in an accident and you flee the scene, major penalties will follow. These may include jail time. However, depending on the damage, charges can include:

• Accidents only involving property damage: up to 60 days in jail, six months of probation, and fines that may reach $500

• Accidents where injury is also involved: five years in jail, five years of probation, and up to $5,000 in fines (this is considered a third-degree felony)

• Accidents that resulted in death: up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, fines that may reach close to $10,000

If involved in an accident, it is best to stay put until law enforcement shows up no matter how minor. You do not want to take on the penalties of fleeing the scene.

If you have a traffic ticket you would like to fight, such as a speeding ticket, contact a Miami traffic attorney. If you have reason to believe you unfairly received a red light ticket, contact a red light camera violation attorney.

Safety Tips for Florida Drivers in the Winter

The holidays mark a time of a great amount of travel. Many will be traveling far and wide to visit family and friends for Christmas and New Years. True, Florida does not see much winter weather – it is actually one of the states with the least severe cold weather months. Whether you are heading up north or staying in Florida, a few of these tips will help you ensure you are safer on the roads when it is cold out.

However, traffic tickets still happen during the holidays. If you have received a traffic violation and wish to fight it, contact a Miami traffic ticket lawyer.

Always get your car inspected before a road trip. A quick trip to the auto shop can save a lot of headache and money down the road. In colder temperatures, engine coolant, wiper fluid, and other essential fluids in the car could freeze or be impacted by the cold.

Double-check that your insurance is up-to-date. You do not want to get pulled over on your trip with expired insurance. In some cases, driving without insurance may cause license and plate suspensions. Plus, if you get into an accident or your car breaks down and you need a rental, updated insurance will make the process much smoother and more cost-effective.

Finally, do not forget to check the forecast ahead of time. If you will be traveling somewhere that snows, purchase the proper equipment for your vehicle.

If there is a ticket you would like to get off of your record in 2022, contact a Miami expungement attorney for assistance.

Can Registration Violations Land You a Ticket?

Every vehicle driving on the road must be registered with the state – that is the law in Florida, as with many other states. The state in which the owner of the vehicle lives is where the car is required to be registered, so if you are living in Miami or the surrounding areas, you must register your vehicle in the state of Florida.

Failing to do so can lead to consequences. More often than not, this includes fines up to $500, along with the administrative fees and additional charges that may come if you go to court. If you have recently been issued a ticket for failure to register your vehicle, contact a Miami traffic attorney.

Be careful – sometimes, this can lead to 60 days of jail time, probation, and points on your license. This, of course, is not usually the punishment given out right away, but it is something drivers will find difficult to overcome. In addition to the fines, these consequences can be tough to get off your record.

That is why if you have been issued a traffic ticket, you should consult with an experienced attorney. Lawyers at Hochman & Goldin, P.A. know what it takes to fight a ticket in court, expressing the legitimacy of client concerns in front of the judge.

Whether it is a ticket about a failed registration, speeding, wanting to seal or expunge records from previous offenses, or you need a red light camera violation attorney, our lawyers are here to help. Call or visit us online to set up a consultation.

What to do if You Get in an Accident as an Uber Driver

No one wants to get into a car accident, but it can be incredibly distressing for those whose work relies solely on their vehicle and the way they drive. While Uber carries its own insurance to protect against civil cases, each Uber driver must have their own car insurance. Still, when drivers get into minor at-fault accidents, they may face some penalties.

Uber drivers are allotted three strikes within three years for minor infractions (speeding tickets and at-fault accidents). However, if you are driving for the rideshare company and believe your speeding ticket may have reason to be disputed, give a Miami traffic attorney a call.

Accidents, however, may count as two of the three strikes allowed. Perhaps as a driver, you were issued a ticket for running a red light and causing a fender bender, but running the red light was incorrectly judged. Contact a red light camera violation attorney for help.

In essence, minor accidents are not so minor regarding employment status. You want to make sure you are always driving safely, avoiding accidents, and speeding as much as possible. However, they are called accidents for a reason, and sometimes the situation may be out of your control.

If that is the case, getting the help of an attorney is your best bet. Do not try fighting the case on your own. Attorneys with several years of experience in fighting cases like yours will help simplify the process. They know the ins and outs of the traffic laws and fight your ticket in Florida courts.

For more information about consulting the legal guidance of an attorney, visit us online.