There are laws that make going too slow on a Bakersfield highway illegal. And drivers traveling at too slow a pace can also be found at fault for the accidents they cause.
Victims hurt in a collision with a car that’s not keeping up with traffic can ask for recovery help with their medical bills and the paychecks they lose while unable to work.
To find out how to maximize your injury claim, take advantage of a free, no-obligation case consultation with Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield.
Slow Driving Dangers in Bakersfield
Slow-moving drivers on routes like Highway 178 in Bakersfield may be frustrating, but many are just being cautious. Yet, some reduce their speeds so much that they create a hazard in the lanes.
Drivers can go too slowly for several reasons:
- Driver is distracted and not paying attention to speed.
- Driver is impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Focused on the scenery. Drivers might be staring at an accident or a road sign and not watching their speed or the lane.
- The driver is elderly and doesn’t have the reflexes to keep up with traffic. Older drivers have a right to the road, but if their actions become a danger, their ability to get a license might have to be reviewed.
- Driver is new to the road. Young drivers may be building up their experience in traffic, but they can’t let off the gas so much that they create an obstacle in the lane.
No matter the reason, the victims of these drivers should never face their injury hardships and their car repair costs alone. A skilled attorney helps victims prove a driver’s negligence and leads the charge to get them the support they need to rebuild their lives.
What is California’s Law Regarding Slow Driving?
California drivers must keep up certain speeds because a driver who is going too slow, or stopping and starting, can present just as much of a hazard as a speeding driver.
The law is especially harsh on slower-moving motorists who don’t stick to the right (slower) lane.
California Vehicle Code (CVC) goes over the duty of drivers to keep their speeds up to a certain minimum.
CVC 22400.
(a) No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.
No person shall bring a vehicle to a complete stop upon a highway so as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the stop is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with law.
The code also requires drivers to observe “minimum speed limits” where they are indicated on highway speed limit signs. A posted minimum speed limit must be obeyed unless there’s a traffic slowdown or an emergency.
CVC 25251. explains that in an emergency, drivers should use their flashers when their vehicles become disabled to warn approaching drivers.
Penalties for Slow Drivers on Bakersfield Streets
Officers might cite drivers who don’t move fast enough for obstructing traffic or failing to move to the right lane. Slower drivers cited for a failure to stay in the right lane can face a fine of around $200, with additional court fees. They can also receive a point on their driver’s license.
What’s more, after an accident, a slow driver could be found liable for these and other hardships suffered by any victims:
- The cost of medical care
- The loss of paychecks while an injured victim must miss work
- The physical pain a victim must endure
- The emotional trauma of a scary collision and a change in lifestyle due to injury
Victims would need to file claims against the slow driver’s car insurance provider. Unfortunately, when expensive medical bills are involved, insurance adjusters are instructed to look for ways to escape blame.
They can try to flip-flop the blame for the accident. They may even resort to getting company doctors to declare the victim’s injuries are less serious than a local doctor’s opinion.
Victims can require the help of a Bakersfield car accident attorney to protect their rights. A skilled attorney can get witness testimony to help you prove what really caused a collision.
Accident reconstruction teams can also be used to show how an accident took place and the speeds of the vehicles involved. In some cases, it’s difficult for officers to tell that a vehicle was going too slow at the time of an accident, and additional evidence can help investigators get it right.
We Back Your Injury Case with Powerful Evidence and Fight to Earn You More
If you have a serious injury, and a slow driver caused your accident, contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Bakersfield to schedule a free consultation. It’s a confidential, no-obligation review of your case with a real Bakersfield car accident attorney.
Your full recovery becomes our number one mission. We don’t stop fighting until you are 100% healed and have the money you need to restore your normal life.
If you end up needing our help to prove a driver wasn’t acting carelessly and caused your accident and injuries, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll afford a great lawyer. We don’t charge anything up front, and we only get paid if we win your case for you. Then our attorney’s fee comes out of the settlement check that an insurance company writes for you.