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Tennis star Venus Williams was involved in a right-of-way vehicle accident in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida in June. The estate of a Florida man, a passenger who died in the crash, is suing Ms. Williams for running a red light and violating his vehicle’s right-of-way. According to the law suit, Williams was driving in such a way as to make it impossible for the other car to avoid hitting her. Blame was based in part on witness statements and their recollections of Williams’ running the red light. 

A surveillance video viewed by the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department later caused it to amend its view of the accident. In mid-July the department issued a statement that Williams drove through a green light and only slowed in the intersection to avoid a collision with the other vehicle that turned in front of her SUV.   

The Los Angeles Times reported that the security video showed Williams was driving straight on a green light as she exited her neighborhood, but a car turning left cut her off, forcing her to stop midway as she crossed a busy six-lane intersection. When she restarted, her light had turned red, and the other car’s light had turned green. Their Hyundai sedan plowed into Williams' Toyota Sequoia SUV. 

In Who Has the Right-of-way? SafeMotorist.com says that there are few areas of traffic safety that are more misunderstood than the concept of right-of-way. For example, when two drivers come to a stop sign at the same time in a cross street, the vehicle on the right of the other vehicle has the right-of-way. When reaching an uncontrolled intersection at close to the same time, the vehicle that actually reached the intersection last is to yield to the vehicle which reached the intersection first. When both reach the intersection at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right-of-way.

 What does the law say about the right-of-way at traffic lights? 

The Florida Drivers Handbook says that if a traffic light is green, a driver may go only if the intersection is clear. Drivers must yield to pedestrians and other vehicles still in the intersection. If turning left, they are to wait for a gap in oncoming traffic to complete a turn.                                                                                                            

Florida law does not give anyone the right-of-way on the road. Instead, it states who is required to yield the right-of-way in certain instances. It is also the responsibility of the driver to do everything possible to be safe and avoid a collision. 

The Florida Department of Motor Vehicles offers the following right-of-way tips for drivers to keep in mind: 

• Never assume what another driver on the road is going to do. 
• Never insist on taking the right-of-way.
• Yield whenever it is needed to be safe.
• Make eye contact with other drivers at intersections when possible.
• Try to anticipate the actions of other drivers whenever possible. 

“If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving failure to yield the right-of-way, contact the experienced accident attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. to determine your rights,” said Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney, Randall Spivey. 

Fort Myers Automobile Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.