Suing for Injuries Caused by Tampa Drivers Who Didn’t Follow the “Move Over Law”

Florida’s Move Over Law is simple – but it is capable of saving lives. It requires drivers to do the absolute bare minimum to avoid causing injuries while passing disabled vehicles – and yet too many motorists completely ignore this rule. Inevitably, the drivers who fail to follow the Move Over Law cause serious pedestrian accident injuries in Tampa. But can this negligence lead to lawsuits? This is something you might want to ask an experienced auto accident lawyer.

Man Knocked Off Bridge by Passing Car After Exiting His Vehicle 

A recent incident in Tampa illustrates how important the Move Over Law is – and how deadly violations can be. In August of 2025, Fox News 13 reported that a man had been knocked off a bridge over the Alafia River by passing traffic. This victim had exited his vehicle after a crash, presumably to inspect damage, gather insurance information, or check on the status of potentially injured motorists.

While the victim was still on foot, another vehicle approached and collided with his stalled vehicle. The victim was also struck by this impact, and the collision threw him off the bridge and into the Alafia River. First responders arrived on the scene to find the 35-year-old man lifeless. The driver of the approaching vehicle also suffered unspecified injuries.

Police are still investigating this incident, but it seems as though the approaching motorist clearly violated the Move Over Law before striking the driver on foot. Images from the scene show the victim’s abandoned car on the shoulder, which means that the Move Over Law would have applied.

What Is Florida’s Move Over Law?

Florida’s Move Over Law states that drivers approaching stalled or disabled vehicles must move over into the far lanes to give the motorists of these disabled vehicles as much space as possible. That extra lane of space acts as a buffer between passing traffic and the motorists, who may exit their vehicles on foot after their vehicles crash or become disabled.

This law also applies to emergency vehicles that might be stopped, such as police cruisers, ambulances, and fire trucks. Too often, drivers violate these laws – and with fatal consequences. These violations could represent a form of negligence, allowing victims and their families to explore personal injury lawsuits against drivers.

Contact a Lawyer to Discuss Pedestrian Accident Injuries in Tampa

If you were injured by a negligent driver while standing near a disabled vehicle, consider contacting an experienced auto accident attorney in Tampa. These legal professionals can guide you toward positive outcomes, and they may be able to help you determine whether the driver who caused your injuries committed any traffic violations. Failure to adhere to the Move Over Law is only one example of negligence, and there are many other possibilities worth considering. Contact Anderson & Anderson today to learn more.

Sources:

 fox13news.com/news/i-75-south-reopens-after-spring-hill-man-knocked-off-bridge-over-alafia-river-fhp

tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2025/08/25/alafia-river-bridge-traffic-collision-death-i75/