The Most Common Causes Of Florida Car Accidents
Michael Babboni
Car Accidents
It’s not the most settling fact, but the fact of the matter is that most Florida residents will experience a car accident at some point during their lives. Whether this accident is by any fault of their own or the fault of a negligent driver, remains to be seen, but a car accident is an experience most will go through.After experiencing any kind of car accident, it’s imperative to contact a skilled Florida attorney to assist you in getting the settlement you need to recover, and this rings true no matter what may have been the accident’s cause.
A car accident can be caused by any myriad of situations, but some are more common than others. The most common causes of Florida car accidents are:
• Speeding – Speeding is something that nearly every Florida motorist is guilty of at one point or another during their lives, but it’s important to remember that Florida speed limits are in place for a reason. The speed limit you see on the highway, a main street, or a back road has been carefully calculated to ensure motorists arrive to their destination safely. Speeding on such roadways makes it difficult for motorists to safely account for turns in the road, obstacles, and weather conditions, and may lead to an accident. While it may be tempting to speed, it’s always best to carefully observe all Florida speed limits.
• Texting while driving – This is a fairly new cause for accidents that has really skyrocketed in the past 10 years. Texting takes the driver’s eyes away from the road, and causes a dangerous distraction. According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use while driving causes 1.6 million crashes across the United States each year, and 330,000 injuries can be directly attributed to texting and driving.
• Drinking and driving – Drinking and driving has been a problem since the advent of travel by car, and while awareness campaigns make sure drivers know how dangerous drinking and driving is, it’s still something that occurs in Florida every day. Drinking and driving inhibits a driver’s ability to accurately pay close attention to the roadways, and drivers should remember that “buzzed” driving is just as dangerous. 10,000 people die in alcohol related driving accidents each year throughout the United States.
• Inclement weather – While it’s important to carefully observe speed limits, it’s also important to remember that these speeds are merely a maximum suggestion. During inclement weather, it’s more important to drive at a speed that makes you feel safe and comfortable, as Florida can see quick dangerous turns in weather conditions. Wet roadways can cause drivers to slip and skid into oncoming traffic or nearby obstacles, blinding rain can take away a driver’s ability to see, and heavy winds can push cars around causing them to lose control.
• Falling asleep – Driving isn’t always exciting, and when you’re lacking sleep behind the wheel, you could actually be just as likely to get into an accident as a person who has been drinking and driving. 1 in 25 adults in the United States have admitted to feeling sleepy behind the wheel in just the last year, and these range from those who have to drive long hours to those with early morning or late night schedules. Driving while sleepy impairs motor functions, delays reaction time, and may cause a person to lose consciousness while driving altogether.
• Animals – Whether in the car with you, or standing in the road, animals can be a big hazard in Florida. Driving with unrestrained pets can be a big distraction for drivers if the pets are particularly active or misbehaving, and an animal running out into the middle of the road can easily cause an accident as well.