Car jumped in my lane… I rear-ended them (Florida)

I was driving in the right lane, and there was a car in the left lane where traffic had stopped. They suddenly moved into my lane, and I ended up hitting them from behind. I was blamed for the crash and got a ticket for ‘failure to use due care’ because our statements didn’t match, and they based it on the damage.

For reference, my car’s damage was on the right front, while theirs was on the left rear.
Edit: I tried to brake hard and swerve to avoid it, which explains the damage to the right side. My car isn’t new, so it gets a bit shaky under harsh braking.

Now, I’m worried about my insurance premiums going up. I had no time to brake because they moved right in front of me without warning.

I’m thinking of contesting the ticket, but I read that even if I win, insurance might still hold me responsible.

What should I do?

You hit another car from behind. That’s usually cut-and-dry. Unless you have dashcam footage proving they cut you off, it’s hard to argue against it.

Ash said:
You hit another car from behind. That’s usually cut-and-dry. Unless you have dashcam footage proving they cut you off, it’s hard to argue against it.

The person who posted mentioned right-side damage. If the impact was on the side, it’s not the same as a straight rear-end collision. More info or photos would help clarify.

Ash said:
You hit another car from behind. That’s usually cut-and-dry. Unless you have dashcam footage proving they cut you off, it’s hard to argue against it.

Is Florida one of those states where if you hit from behind, you’re automatically at fault? I handled cases there a while back, but I’m not sure.

@Sage
The other car was already ahead of you at the point of impact, unless they tried to cut in from your right side.

@Sage
I don’t know the exact rules for FL, but in most places, it’s tough to fight a rear-end collision claim unless you have clear video evidence. Either way, this is what insurance is for. It’s a hassle, but you’ll get through it.

@Sage
Wait, so you’re saying in Florida, I could just pull out in front of traffic going 50mph and it’s still my right of way? Sounds wild.

This kind of thing is why I got a dashcam. I used to drive on a road where people would pull out right in front of you if you left even a small gap, sometimes even on icy roads. One time, I ended up right beside a car because I couldn’t slow down fast enough, even though I was ready for it. After that, I got a dashcam—no way I’m taking the blame for these reckless moves.

A few years later, they added a merge lane, but people still don’t use it right… either stopping in the middle or ignoring it altogether.

Dashcams are affordable these days. I won’t own another car without one.

As for your situation, there might not be much you can do, unfortunately.

@Ori
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s been a rough day, and this is just adding to it. I’m definitely getting a dashcam now.

Bailey said:
@Ori
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s been a rough day, and this is just adding to it. I’m definitely getting a dashcam now.

Some quick tips if you’re getting a dashcam:

The sensor decides the video quality. Do a bit of research, especially if you care about capturing details like license plates. Also, go for models with supercapacitors instead of lithium batteries if you live in a hot area. The heat usually kills lithium ones after a while.

Get a high-quality microSD card, and check it now and then. It’s a pain if your dashcam fails when you need it most.

One more thing—at least where I am, you’re not required to hand over dashcam footage to anyone. Share what’s relevant, but be cautious about giving access to everything.

@Ori
Sony Starvis sensors are some of the best now. Also, dashcams with supercapacitors have backup power or are hardwired for parking mode. You’re right, there aren’t many decent ones that still use lithium-ion batteries. Just a heads up, though—most dashcams won’t catch license plates clearly at night. That’s why police use separate plate scanners. Also, a lot of cheap dashcams out there just don’t work well; they might even fail during a crash when you need them most.

Bailey said:
@Ori
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s been a rough day, and this is just adding to it. I’m definitely getting a dashcam now.

Might be worth spending a bit to get your car fixed up so it handles better under hard braking too.

You could take a defensive driving course and get a small discount on your insurance. It usually lasts for about three years.

Honestly, your best bet might be to just accept it. Whether you fight the ticket or not, your premiums might still go up.

I’d suggest getting a dashcam. Garmin has a decent one for around $60. As someone who drives for a living, it’s really important to have some protection on the road.

Just be honest with your insurance company. Let them figure it out. That’s all you can really do.

I’d still try to fight the ticket if I were you.

It’s tough to do anything that will stop your insurance from going up now. Maybe there was something you could’ve done earlier, but once the accident happened, the outcome is set.

If they had time to pull out but you couldn’t stop, then maybe you were going too fast. Your rates will likely go up because this was your fault.

Do you have any dashcam footage? That might help prove your side of the story. Otherwise, it’s going to be hard to get things changed.