Most locations in Florida require a car to get around. With such a large population on the roads, accidents are bound to happen.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were over 401,000 car accidents in 2021. This amounts to an average of 1,100 accidents every day on Florida roads.
Of those daily accidents, 449 of them per day involved injuries. While not all accidents are major, it is important to know that you could be impacted by a car crash on Florida’s busiest roads. In particular, the most dangerous highways such as I-95, US-19, I-4, SR-816, SR-50, SR-480, and US-41 are where the worst accidents occur.
What Are The Main Causes Of Car Accidents In Florida?
Every car accident is different, which means a variety of factors could contribute to the crash. Sometimes, it is due to missing street signs or malfunctioning traffic lights. Other times, it is purely driver negligence.
Driving while intoxicated is one of the biggest factors noted by the FLHSMV. According to its statistics, over 4,500 accidents involved alcohol while 708 involved drugs in 2020. Speeding and distracted driving were other leading reasons for car crashes, too. Even with hands-free technology, cell phone use contributed to the high number of distracted driving accidents.
Additionally, fatigue remains an issue for Florida drivers and car crashes. Lack of proper sleep and putting in late hours at work can lead to drowsy drivers, which are just as dangerous as drunk drivers. Being exhausted slows down response time and makes it hard for drivers to focus on the road, making them more likely to cause an accident.
Florida’s weather conditions can also lead to traffic accidents. When heavy rainfall occurs, visibility is reduced. Even the most careful of drivers can hydroplane and lose control, sending them into oncoming traffic. Sunny days also play a role because they can affect visibility by obscuring traffic lights and road signs.
Why You Need To Know What Caused Your Car Accident
In addition to property damage, car accidents can cause physical injuries, trauma, and loss of life. Following an accident, you may undergo financial hardships due to your injuries.
This is why it’s so important to establish the cause of the accident to determine who is at fault. With your mounting medical bills and loss of income, you will want to seek compensation from the negligent driver responsible for the crash.
The car accident attorneys at Fasig | Brooks know how to prove negligence following a car accident. If you try to file a claim on your own, you may be convinced to take a settlement that is far below what you need to make up for your lost wages, property damage, and medical bills from your injuries.
Additionally, there may be multiple at-fault parties. Whether there were several vehicles involved in the crash or faulty auto parts, an attorney will know how to piece everything together on your behalf.
No one wants to be in an accident, especially on Florida’s dangerous roads. Even with extreme caution, it can happen to you or someone you love at any time. Living in fear is no way to go through life, but knowing that experts can help you through the claims process should an accident happen can give you peace of mind while you drive.
