Florida Car Accident Attorney

In 2018 there were over 400,000 crashes, resulting in over 250,000 injuries in the state of Florida. The majority of people will experience being in a car accident at least once in their lifetime, if not more. There are many reasons and causes of Florida car accidents. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Florida are:

Distracted Driving Can Cause Car Accidents

Distracted driving is driving while doing something else that takes your attention from driving. Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction.

According to the CDC there are three main types of distraction:
Visual: taking your eyes off the road;
Manual: taking your hands off the wheel and
Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving.
Everyday in the United States, more than 1,000 people are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. Drivers under the age of 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes.

Speeding Can Cause Car Accidents

Speeding Florida drivers are a risk to everyone on the roads. In 2017, speeding accounted for more than a quarter of all traffic fatalities that year. The speed of a vehicle on the road can affect your safety and the safety of others even when at the speed limit. Other driving conditions, such as during bad weather, or in construction zones.

Speeding on the roads may cause:
Increased risk of losing control of the vehicle;
Reduced effectiveness of vehicle protection equipment;
Reduced time/distance to avoid danger on the road;
Increased risk of crash severity likely resulting in more severe injuries;

Failing To Obey Traffic Signals Can Cause Car Accidents

Traffic signs and lights are in place to contribute to the orderly movement of traffic across the state of Florida. Florida drivers have a duty to obey traffic signals, unless a law enforcement officer is present directing traffic. Unfortunately, there are some Florida drivers who disregard traffic signals, often causing accidents as a result of their negligent behavior on the road.

Driving Under The Influence Causes Car Accidents

Drunk driving is the leading cause of fatal traffic accidents in Florida. Although alcohol is the main contributor, drivers can also be impaired while under the influence of both legal and illegal drugs. Certain drugs, and alcohol can slow down reaction time, impair motor functions, disturb balance and coordination, impair vision and/or hearing, and a variety of other affects. Accident reports indicate that impaired drivers may drive in a more reckless manner. For example: speeding; following at an unsafe distance; and failing to follow traffic signals. This behavior may cause more severe crashes and injuries, often involving multiple vehicles.

Bad Weather Can Cause Car Accidents

Approximately 21% of the crashes in the United States each year are weather-related. Whether related crashes are defined as crashes that occurs in adverse weather (i.e., rain, snow, sleet, fog, wind, blowing sand/snow/debris) or on slick pavement. The vast majority of most weather related crashes occur during rainfall, and on wet pavement. Florida is infamous for its sudden downpours, thunderstorms, and hurricanes, which leave the roads ripe for weather related crashes. Weather conditions can change quickly and unexpectedly, and can effect your ability to drive. Drivers have a duty to drive in safe manner taking in to account the weather conditions.

Types of negligent acts that occur during bad weather:
failing to adapt to weather and reduce speed;
driving with defective tires or wipers;
failing to use lights and wipers;
following too closely;
driving aggressively or recklessly;

Drowsy Driving Can Cause Car Accidents

According to the CDC, drowsy driving is a major problem in the United States. Drowsiness makes drivers less able to pay attention to the road; slows reaction time if you have to break suddenly; and may affects a driver’s ability to make good decisions. Approximately 37% of the driving population have fallen asleep for at least a moment while driving. Drowsy driving is hazardous to everyone on the road, and accidents can happen in the blink of an eye.

Other Causes of Auto Accidents in Florida

Every accident is different, and the actual cause may not be immediately apparent. Some potential causes of auto and pedestrian accidents include: poor hazardous road conditions; defective auto parts; mechanical failure; road rage and aggressive driving; driver medical impairment; and bad lighting.