Dallas Improper Passing Accident Attorney

Passing other vehicles is allowed by Texas law as long as the passing maneuver is performed in compliance with certain rules. Generally, motorists in Dallas and elsewhere in Texas are allowed to pass other vehicles, because motorists have a right to go as fast as the speed limit allows.

“Unfortunately, many passing maneuvers on our roads and highways are performed incorrectly and negligently, which puts the safety of other motorists in danger,” says our Dallas car wreck attorney at Law Office of Dorothy Hyde.

There are very strict and fixed rules for passing, and failure to follow these rules might expose the passing driver to liability if his or her actions cause injuries or harm to others. Let’s review some of these rules.

What constitutes improper passing in Texas?

These are four most common mistakes made by Texas motorists that may constitute “improper passing”:

1. The first most common mistake that drivers performing a passing maneuver make is failing to scan their surroundings in rear-view and side-view mirrors to check if there are other vehicles behind them or driving in adjacent lanes. If there are other vehicles in the vicinity, it would make the maneuver unsafe to perform.
2. Another common mistake is made when a motorist wants to pass another vehicle when there is not enough space to do so. “Under Texas law, a motorist must keep a safe distance between their vehicle and other vehicles in order to eliminate the risk of causing a car crash,” explains our Dallas improper passing accident attorney.
3. The third most common mistake that may amount to the “improper passing” offense is when a passing driver fails to use turn signals when performing the maneuver to alert other motorists of his or her intention to pass.
4. And then there are also the so-called “blind passes,” which occur when a passing driver performs a passing maneuver while not having a complete view of oncoming traffic. In most situations, motorists are prohibited from passing on the right.

Left-lane passing law in Texas

Also, many motorists in Dallas and all across Texas seem to not know or forget about the left-lane passing law, which came into effect in 2013. Under the left-lane passing rule in Texas, it is illegal to drive on the left when you are not trying to pass another vehicle. In other words, if a motorist is driving slowly in the left lane and does not intend to pass anyone, that motorist is violating Texas’s left-lane passing law.

Our experienced car accident attorney in Dallas says that motorists should always watch for signs on multi-lane highways in Texas that read “Left Lane For Passing Only.” By disregarding the left-lane passing law, you impede the flow of traffic and could face a fine of up to $200.

Liability for car accidents caused by improper passing

In Texas, improper passing may amount to reckless driving conduct. If an investigation concludes that a motorist caused a car crash due to improper passing – or any other form of recklessness, for that matter – the at-fault motorist will be held liable if his or her recklessness caused harm to other motorists.

If you or your loved one suffered harm in a car accident caused by improper passing, you will have to demonstrate evidence proving that the other motorist was negligent or reckless in order to recover damages. You may want to get legal help from a car accident lawyer to learn more about your options for proving that the other driver breached his or her duty to exercise reasonable care when performing the dangerous passing maneuver.

Contact our car accident lawyers from Law Office of Dorothy Hyde to discuss your particular situation. Call our offices at (214) 883-1700 to schedule a free consultation.