HOV Lane Accident Liability

HOV lanes are designed to cut down travel time and make life a little easier for Arizona drivers. They’re designed to help the flow of traffic, while also encouraging carpooling. 

These lanes have their own set of rules, like the number of people who must be present to use the lane, hours you can use it solo, or when you can enter or exit the lane. If you or another driver aren’t following those rules and get into an accident, HOV lane accident liability can get a little sticky. 

The HOV Rules of the Road

Phoenix car accident lawyers see many carpool lane accident causes come across their desk. But to better understand how they can happen, you first need to understand the rules of the road in HOV lanes. 

First, HOV lanes are restricted to carpoolers during peak traffic hours on Monday through Friday. Those hours are typically between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Outside of these hours, these lanes are free for all drivers to use.

To use a carpool lane during those restricted hours, you need to have at least two people in your vehicle. This means there must be one driver and at least one passenger. There are exceptions, however. Motorcycles, buses, emergency vehicles are among those that make the exception list, according to Arizona law.

When driving, you may also notice that you can only enter HOV lanes at specific areas marked by dashed lines. When a driver enters or exits the lane while the line is solid, they’re violating the law.

Arizona HOV Lane Rules at a Glance

HOV Lane Accident Risks

According to Arizona news outlets, the Arizona Department of Public Safety is cracking down on HOV lane rules and are issuing more tickets to those not following the law. Not adhering to Arizona HOV lane laws not only puts drivers at risk of a ticket, but it also increases the chance of an accident, even if the violation was a mistake.

These are just a few of the unique accident risks posed by HOV lane use:

• Increased congestion
• HOV lane misuse
• Speeding
• Distracted driving 

While the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) doesn’t have specific data regarding HOV accident causes, the agency often refers to speeding, reckless, distracted, or impaired driving among the most common causes of car crashes in the state. 

Accident Liability Factors

If you’ve recently found yourself in an accident while in the HOV lane, there are some factors to consider.

• Were you or the other driver following all HOV requirements, including having the minimum number of passengers, entering and exiting only at specified points, and respecting speed limits? A violation of any of these laws can help determine who’s at fault.
• If both drivers were following all HOV rules, traditional rules still apply, which include negligence factors like distracted driving, following too closely, or unsafe lane changes.
• Under Arizona law, it’s possible for multiple drivers to be found at fault. This means that even if you were partially at fault, you may still be able to recover compensation.

Support From Gage Mathers

Car accidents are complicated, especially if you’re fighting for compensation and justice. The good news is you don’t have to go through the process alone. 

The trusted team of experts at Gage Mathers has your back. We’re here to help you understand your rights, advocate for your best interests, and chase the best outcome for you to move forward!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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