Top Five Causes of Florida Car Accidents
With its heavy traffic and outdated roadway infrastructure, Florida is regularly ranked as one of the most dangerous states for drivers in the nation. Accidents in our state happen for a number of reasons ranging from increasing numbers of out-of-state travelers who are unfamiliar with the highway systems to inclement weather. Most car crashes in Florida, however, can be attributed to driver error.
Distracted Driving
Car accidents in Florida (like anywhere else in the nation) can and do happen for a variety of reasons, but most can be chalked up to driver negligence. Of the negligent behaviors that regularly cause accidents, however, distracted driving tops the list. Whether texting, playing music, taking a phone call, eating or drinking, fiddling with the GPS, or merely daydreaming, failing to pay adequate attention to the road when driving can have devastating consequences. Distracted driving behaviors were thought to be responsible for at least 324,652 car accident-related injuries in 2020 alone.
Speeding
Speeding is another common cause of the increasing car accident rate in Florida. This makes sense when you consider the fact that the faster a car is moving, the harder it becomes to control that vehicle and the longer it takes to bring it to a complete stop. Unfortunately, injuries resulting from speeding-related accidents are much more likely to be severe due to the increased force of impact upon colliding.
Aggressive Driving
Cases of aggressive driving and road rage are also on the rise in Florida, a trend that has largely been attributed to the increasing frustration of drivers with the state’s congested roadways. Aggressive drivers are much less likely to obey traffic signals and signs, to use their turn signals, or to leave enough space between vehicles, all of which significantly raise the chances of a car accident.
Driving Under the Influence
Despite safety campaigns and more stringent DUI laws, driving under the influence continues to be a problem in the U.S. in general and in Florida in particular. Ingesting drugs or alcohol before driving increases a driver’s reaction time, inhibits fine motor skills, impairs decision-making, and damages the reflexes. These problems make it a lot more likely that an accident will occur. In fact, in 2021, impaired driving accounted for nearly 30 percent of all car crashes in Florida.
Weather Conditions
Although known for its sunny weather, the Florida coast also sees its fair share of inclement weather, especially severe rain storms, hurricanes, high winds, and flooding. These conditions can make it extremely unsafe to drive. Unfortunately, not all drivers take the extra care that they should to account for inclement weather, resulting in severe accidents.
Speak with a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer
It can be hard, when facing serious injuries after a crash, to know where to start when filing a claim for compensation. At Boone & Davis, our experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident attorneys can help. Call us at 954-566-9919 or send us an online message to get started on your case today.
Sources:
flhsmv.gov/traffic-crash-reports/crash-dashboard/
forbes.com/advisor/legal/auto-accident/distracted-driving-statistics/
