Overtaking Car Accidents

Many cars, truck, and SUV accidents occur because people try to overtake each other on roads. This is particular true in roads that are two lanes, with one lane going in each direction. Oftentimes, drivers believe if the yellow line dividing the lanes of traffic is broken, that means they can overtake a driver that is going too slow for their preference.

While the broken yellow line dividing opposing lanes of traffic does allow drivers to overtake a lane, it must be done cautiously because many head-on crashes occur because of people being too aggressive when they overtake another car.

OVERTAKING CAR ACCIDENT LAWS

Most states have two primary laws with respect to overtaking another car on the road. Two common laws are:

• Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main-traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible.
• Most state laws mandate that the driver of a car overtaking other traffic proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken traffic.

Failing to abide by these laws can not only result in a ticket by the police, it can also result in a serious car, truck, or SUV accident. It is very important to observe these laws and make sure that you follow them. If a driver has failed to follow these laws and has caused an accident, you may have a valid claim against the driver who caused the accident.