Cities with Highest Car Accident Rates in Florida
For several years, Florida has ranked as one of the worst and most dangerous states in the country for driving. Florida’s large, and there are a lot of attractions here.
Regardless of if you are a longtime resident or just visiting to enjoy the white sand, sunny beaches, and exciting nightlife, there’s something to know – you’re bound to drive down some of the most dangerous and deadliest roads in the U.S.
Before learning more about dangerous roads in Florida, it’s important to understand that if you are involved in a car accident in Orlando, you need to protect your rights by hiring an Orlando car accident lawyer. Our team at Pardy & Rodriguez P.A. is here to help with your car accident case.
The Most Dangerous and Highest Car Accident Rates in Florida
According to information from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles – FLHSMV – the area tops the list for accidents in Miami-Dade County. In fact, in a single year, there were 65,143 crashes with 300 fatalities and 31,7000 injuries.
The Florida county that comes in at number two on the list with the most collisions is Broward County. In a single year, this county had 41,114 vehicle accidents that caused 215 deaths and 23,671 injuries. Even with the high numbers in Broward County, the Miami-Dade area still had 58% more.
The Deadliest Roadways in Florida
Now that you know the deadliest counties and cities in Florida, it may be helpful to know about the specific roads that are particularly dangerous in the state. These include:
- Interstate 75 or I-75: This highway runs 471 miles from Miami up to the border of Georgia. There are 47.2 fatal accidents per every 100 miles, and the entire roadway is well-known for the high death rates and congestion.
- Interstate 4 or I-4: I-4 runs from Daytona Beach down to Tampa and was named the most dangerous highway in the U.S. in 2016, with approximately 1.41 deaths per mile for six years.
- US-41: According to a study conducted by Geotab, US-41, which goes through Tampa, is the second most dangerous highway in the U.S. In the past decade, there were 714 fatal accidents and 772 total deaths.
- US-27: Due to the high number of accidents and deaths that occur along the 500 miles of US-27, it has earned the nickname “Bloody 27.” Most of these fatal accidents occur during a narrow part of the road close to Lake Okeechobee. Some common causes of accidents on this roadway include distracted driving and speeding.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Florida
As you can see, there are more than a few areas in the state that are dangerous. Unfortunately, these are just the areas and roadways that have the highest number of accidents. Thousands (or more) of accidents occur throughout the state each day. Because of this, it’s important to learn the most common causes of these accidents, which may help you avoid becoming a victim.
Just remember, if you are involved in a car accident, using the services of an experienced Orlando car accident lawyer is highly recommended.
The most common causes of injury-causing and fatal accidents in the Orlando area and the state of Florida include:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a serious problem in Florida. In fact, the state has ranked near the top of the list for several years because of distracted driving accidents. While Florida has passed a law that prohibits drivers from texting, messaging, or emailing while behind the wheel, it still happens far too often.
Improper or Unsafe Lane Changes
If your path is not clear or if you are unable to change lanes safely, it is against the law to do so. Usually, this problem occurs when someone is driving while intoxicated, aggressively, while they are speeding, or just while they are negligent or unaware of their surroundings.
Also, failing to check your blind spots and use a turn signal is also leading to unsafe lane-changing accidents on highways throughout Florida.
Drugged or Drunk Driving
Approximately two percent of people in Florida have admitted to driving after having too much to drink. Drugs also play a role in fatal and injury-causing car accidents.
Speeding
Each year, drivers who violate the posted speed limits or drive too fast for the given road conditions result in around 5,500 accidents in Florida. This leads to approximately 263 deaths and over 2,000 injuries.
Seeking Help After a Orlando Car Accident
If you need help with your Orlando car accident case, one of the best things you can do is to hire an Orlando car accident lawyer. Our team of personal injury lawyers at Pardy & Rodriguez P.A. is here to help. Contact us today by calling (407) 890-8929 to set up a free initial consultation.
