Florida has one of the highest rates of fatal car crashes in the entire country. In the past few years, there were over 3,000 crashes in the state that involved fatalities. For every person who loses their life in a car accident, there are countless more who will suffer life-changing injuries. These drivers and their passengers must bear the costs of the negligent actions of others. The only consolation is that you may deserve significant financial compensation if you have suffered an injury in a car accident that was someone else's fault. First, you must hire an experienced car accident lawyer to represent you in the legal process.
Insurance companies will do everything possible to get the best of you in the claims process. Only a lawyer has the knowledge and experience to stand up for you. Study after study shows that car accident claimants who hire lawyers do far better financially than those who try to deal with the insurance company independently.
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Florida Roadways Are Dangerous and Getting Worse
Both interstate and U.S. highways can be dangerous in Florida, and the state has been struggling with a surge in traffic fatalities over the past five years. A combination of more motorists on the roads and distracted drivers has made the roadways much more hazardous. Design, a crushing amount of traffic, and the drivers themselves have made stretches of highway in the state even more dangerous than others. In addition, Florida is a mecca for tourists. Since the state does not have public transportation options that appeal to many visitors, they will rent a car. Here, unfamiliarity breeds danger, as local drivers share the road with tourists who may not know where they are going and do not focus on the road.
Miami Is the Most Dangerous Region in a Deadly State
Miami-Dade County is the region with the most traffic fatalities in the state, where roughly one-third of traffic fatalities in Florida occur in this area. Not only is this the most heavily populated area in the state, but it also has a high proportion of dangerous drivers. The "scene" in South Florida leads to more risky behaviors, such as drinking and driving. Alcohol is a factor in more than one out of every five deadly crashes in the Miami-Dade area.
In terms of the overall rate of traffic fatalities, Volusia County has the highest rate in the United States for counties with 500,000 or more residents. Many of these fatalities occur on U.S. 1, one of the state's most hazardous roads.
More rural parts of Florida have their own dangers. For example, the more wide-open roads in the state's Panhandle region mean speeding causes more severe accidents.
Here are the most dangerous stretches of roadway in Florida, as measured by crashes and fatalities per mile.
US-19 in Pasco County
There were 112 fatalities on the stretch of US-19 that went through Pasco County over the last decade. This part of the road is crammed with businesses and other establishments, meaning drivers frequently change lanes and turn off and on the highway. Although the roadway has speed limit signs for 45 to 55 miles per hour, people often drive much faster. Further, there is a large number of pedestrians who share the roadway with drivers, making things even more dangerous.
US-41 in Bradenton
This stretch of road had 20 fatalities within the past three years. There is heavy traffic on the road and much commerce in the area, so drivers often stop and start because of the traffic. Roughly 40 percent of traffic accidents on this road are rear-end crashes, consistent with frequent stops. In addition, the roadway recently underwent a much-maligned redesign. While local authorities installed a concrete center median on this seven-lane road, it did little to stem the tide of serious traffic accidents.
I-95 in Boynton Beach
I-95 frequently appears in the listings of the most dangerous roads in Florida, and the traffic volume on this road is crushing. Drivers must share I-95 with countless semi-trucks, many bringing cargo to and from the Port of Miami. In fact, I-95 is so hazardous that locals call it "Die 95." In addition to the heavy traffic, drivers cite the poor design of the road and the continuous construction, which often creates one large work zone. Drivers alternate between excessive speeding and frequent stopping and starting.
I-95 in Ft. Lauderdale
This stretch of road recently had 17 traffic fatalities. Depending on the day, there can be as many as 300,000 drivers on this stretch of roadway, where motorists often cut across multiple lanes to exit. In response to the heavy traffic, authorities have continuously expanded this stretch of road, and there are as many as 12 lanes at certain points on I-95. Unfortunately, more lanes of traffic do nothing to reduce the danger on the roadway. Instead, it only serves as a magnet for more cars, increasing the number of serious car accidents. Further, there is a major airport in the area, meaning that countless tourists are on the road driving rental cars.
US-19 in St. Petersburg
This stretch of roadway also has 17 traffic fatalities in the past three years and is known for heavy traffic and dangerous behavior. There are also many points where drivers turn on and off the road, meaning there is a high probability of intersection accidents. Authorities are now looking at a long-term plan to make this stretch of US-19 safer. This plan includes building more overpasses to reduce the number of intersections. However, relief is still far into the future for drivers who live with the threat of serious accidents today.
I-95 in Miami
This stretch of I-95 is another dangerous road in Florida. Numerous changes in traffic patterns create challenging driving conditions, and truck traffic is the heaviest here. Further, authorities have reduced the number of lanes on I-95 in Miami to make way for express lanes. Only some drivers can afford the luxury of express lanes, so others deal with a narrower roadway with dangerous motorists.
US-441 in Miami
US-441 is a local route used by commuters in the Miami area, and there have been 18 fatalities on this road in recent years. The heavy daily traffic means commuters often sit in traffic with frequent stopping. This route is particularly prone to crashes caused by distracted driving, where there are frequent rear-end car crashes. In addition, because US-441 is a commuter road, there are traffic lights and intersections that can lead to t-bone crashes.
US-19 in Port Richey
Like I-95, US-19 also makes several appearances on the list of the most dangerous roads in Florida. US-19 is highly problematic for drivers and pedestrians in multiple areas. One of the significant issues on this road is the high speed at which drivers are traveling. Drivers do not tolerate any attempts by authorities to reduce the speed limit and will not follow the law. City officials want to reduce the speed limit, but the state controls the speed limits on this road, and they will not slow down cars. The result is a high number of fatalities on this roadway each year.
I-95 in Hollywood
Recently, there were 15 fatalities on this stretch of I-95 in Hollywood, making this yet another place where the interstate appears on the list of the most dangerous roads in Florida. Hollywood is directly next to Ft. Lauderdale, home to the single deadliest mile of interstate highway in the country. The same factors that make Ft. Lauderdale deadly also make Hollywood hazardous. Hundreds of thousands of cars use this stretch of road daily, including countless tourists unfamiliar with the local area. Then, the heavy traffic and extra-wide roads mean a higher than average total of accidents.
US-90 in Jacksonville
This stretch of road is a local highway with intersections and businesses. It runs from the city to the beaches and is busy on weekdays and weekends. Numerous dangerous intersections on this roadway also see their share of T-bone crashes. In recent years, there have been 15 fatalities on this stretch of road in Jacksonville.
Drivers (Not Roads) Cause Car Accidents
Ultimately, the road itself is not the cause of traffic accidents, and bad drivers are to blame. Their negligence can put you and your loved ones in danger, and all it takes is one mistake by a driver to forever change your life. While you may legally deserve financial compensation for the injuries that the driver has caused you, it is not enough consolation when you must deal with the severe injuries for which they are responsible.
The Legal Challenges You Will Face in a Car Accident Case
No matter which road your accident occurred on, you are dealing with the same legal rules and system when you seek financial compensation for your injuries:
- You must prove that someone else's negligence was the cause of your car accident injuries.
- You are dealing with an insurance company whose primary role is to defeat your claim to the fullest extent possible, whether by denying it entirely or paying you as little as possible.
Why You Need a Car Accident Lawyer for Your Case
You always need a car accident lawyer for your case, and the time to hire one is as soon as possible after the accident. Your lawyer will immediately work to investigate your accident and gather the evidence you need to meet your own burden of proof in your case. They will then quantify your damages so you know how much to ask for when you file a claim or lawsuit. If you do not know how much your case is worth, you will only learn that you settled for too little after you ran out of money. You have long since signed away your legal rights by this time, and you can do nothing about it.
Filing the claim or lawsuit is just the beginning of what may be a big fight. Your lawyer will need to take on the insurance company that is trying to deny you justice by refusing to cover your car accident injuries fully. A car accident lawyer knows you can negotiate with insurance companies instead of having them dictate terms to you. They also understand that you can and should go to court when the insurance company does not act reasonably. Insurance companies will respond more quickly and amenably when they see that you have hired a lawyer to hold them accountable by taking them to court.
It Costs You Nothing Upfront to Hire a Lawyer
Hiring a lawyer to represent you in the claims process costs you nothing from your pocket, and you will lose money if you attempt to handle everything without an attorney. Knowing that you do not have to pay upfront should give you enough confidence to understand that you can afford a car accident lawyer for your case.
Car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they can recover compensation for you. They will take a percentage of your settlement or jury award as their fee. If they do not successfully recover compensation, you do not owe any fees.
This arrangement offers many benefits to accident victims. It allows them to pursue their legal rights without worrying about upfront costs. It also gives them the peace of mind that their lawyer is motivated to achieve the best possible outcome for their case.
When you hire a car accident lawyer, you can focus on your recovery while they handle the legal aspects of your case. They will gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. With their knowledge and guidance, you can confidently navigate the complex legal process.
Remember, if you've suffered an injury in a car accident in Florida, you do not have to face the aftermath alone. Contact a Vero Beach personal injury attorney to discuss your case and learn how they can help you get the compensation you deserve.