Florida has some of the most dangerous roadways in the country. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), over 400,000 car accidents happened in Florida in 2021. These accidents caused more than 250,000 injuries and about 3,700 fatalities in the same year. However, only a dismal percentage of crash victims in Florida seek counsel from a seasoned legal professional.
Most people hurt in automobile accidents in Florida are unaware that the law grants them the right to seek compensation for their suffering. The costs associated with treating injuries sustained in a car crash and other factors such as diminished quality of life, lost income, emotional distress, and property damage can add up quickly. Injured victims may be able to recover damages for their harm and losses if they take swift legal action against the liable party.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that over 90% of car accidents in the United States are caused by driver error. This usually involves drivers not paying attention to their surroundings, being distracted, driving while impaired, or making poor decisions.
At Frankl Kominsky, our Florida auto accident attorneys will aggressively advocate to get our clients the compensation they deserve. Call us as soon as possible after an accident to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation and find out how we can help you through our legal services.
Read on to learn the most common causes of car accidents on Florida roadways.
Top Causes of Car Crashes on Florida Roadways
There are many potential causes of car accidents, and many of them can be traced back to the defendant’s negligence or wrongful acts. If accident victims can prove that a defendant’s negligence or criminal acts caused the crash and subsequent injuries, they may be entitled to compensation for their damages.
Below are some of the most common causes of Florida car accidents:
Poor Weather
Many motorists falsely believe that they will be exempt from responsibility if they lose control of their vehicle and cause an accident due to the weather. However, drivers are held to a dynamic standard of care that changes depending on the situation’s specifics.
For example, if visibility is low, the driver can’t drive as safely or fast as they would in clear weather. The motorist could be held responsible if they failed to consider the poor weather conditions and cause an accident. A Boynton Beach car accident lawyer can advise on whether the other driver met the required level of care.
Drunk and Intoxicated Driving
Nearly 30% of all traffic deaths are attributed to intoxicated drivers. This includes those under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances. Accident victims may be able to recover financial damages after being hurt by a drunk motorist.
It’s important to remember that if the drunk driver was supplied alcohol by a company or a social host in Florida, you might have the right to sue them for damages according to Florida dram shop laws. Since drunk driving cases are usually complex, consult a competent Florida car accident lawyer immediately for a thorough and timely case review.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Drivers’ carelessness or over-speeding often causes accidents involving motor vehicles. One might be eligible for compensation if one sustained injuries in an automobile accident caused by the defendant’s careless or excessive speed.
Driving While Fatigued or Drowsy
Drowsy or fatigued driving is a significant safety issue affecting more motorists than most realize. According to the NHTSA, drowsy driving causes over 600 fatalities annually.
Many drivers grossly underrate the impact of fatigue on their capacity to operate a car safely. However, tiredness and drowsiness can drastically delay reaction times, making it challenging to avoid crashes. Exhaustion can lead to dangerous levels of drowsiness behind the wheel.
Commercial drivers suffer most from fatigue because their employers often overwork them and offer incentives encouraging them to forgo sleep in favor of working longer hours. Accident victims may be able to file a claim for damages against the company that employs a tired commercial driver.
Rollover Accidents
While deadly, rollover accidents are easily preventable. Drivers should take basic precautions when examining, loading, and driving their vehicles to reduce the chance of a rollover accident. Failure to do so may make them significantly liable.
Teen and Senior Drivers
Young drivers pose a serious threat to pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists. Teenagers frequently operate vehicles while inattentive or carelessly. When a teenage driver is preoccupied with something else, such as the radio or a passenger’s conversation, they may be less able to respond quickly enough to potential dangers on the road.
However, teens’ primary issue behind the wheel is their lack of experience. Young motorists often lack the reflexes and experience to make sound judgments under pressure. They might be unable to make the right choice in time to avoid a collision or lessen its impact if one cannot be avoided.
A driver’s declining health and awareness may render them incompetent to operate a motor vehicle safely. Before getting behind the wheel, senior drivers should assess whether or not they are in a position to do so safely. If they cannot drive safely and efficiently on public roads, they are placing others at risk of injury.
Road Hazards
Accident victims may have a valid claim for damages against a public or private property owner in the event of a car accident. Roadways are included in the scope of the duty of property owners to keep their property in a reasonably safe condition for others. The property owner may be held liable for any injuries or deaths that occur on their land due to inadequate roadway maintenance, including the state of nearby structures.
Suppose you are hurt by a tree that falls into the highway during clear weather. The property owner next to the roadway failed to check for signs of illness or rot in the trees. If they had, they would have seen that the tree was rotten and potentially lethal if it fell, necessitating the cutting down of the affected tree.
A Florida personal injury lawyer can help you determine if the accident that led to your injuries was avoidable and within the property owner’s duty of care.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers in Boynton Beach, Florida
Under Florida law, accident victims may be entitled to financial compensation if they were seriously injured in an automobile accident caused by another person or party’s carelessness or wrongful actions. At Frankl Kominsky, we have significant experience representing injured claimants in various car accident lawsuits.
Get in touch with a competent Boynton Beach car accident lawyer to discuss your case in a no-risk, free consultation. Schedule an appointment by dialing (561) 800-8000 or filling out the online contact form on our website.