The 2020 crash report of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida reported 341,399 crashes that resulted in 3,332 fatalities and 212,432 injuries. These numbers are not too far from the yearly averages in Florida.
Why Are Accidents So High in Florida?
The Sunshine State ranks as the third-highest state in the United States for vehicle accident fatalities. Florida is a trendy tourist spot, driving up traffic, especially in summer. Visiting drivers tend to be unfamiliar with the roads and are more likely to be drinking before getting behind the wheel.
Knowing how car accidents are most likely to occur can help you avoid a crash before it happens. So, what are the five most common vehicle accidents in Florida?
1. Rear-end Collisions
This crash scenario is often caused by tailgating or distracted driving and is Florida’s most common vehicle accident. When the first car suddenly comes to a stop due to a sudden road obstruction or traffic lights, the rear car crashes into the back of the vehicle in front of them. The rear car driver is almost always found to be at fault, as they were either distracted or tailgating.
The most common injury caused is whiplash to the passengers and driver of the leading car. Keeping the recommended safe driving distance, avoiding distractions when driving, and allowing the tailgating vehicle to pass can prevent this type of vehicle accident.
2. Left Turn Accidents
Also called T-bone collisions, and tend to occur at intersections. Left-turn crashes often happen when a driver makes a left turn in the path of a vehicle traveling straight through an intersection. Injuries to the passenger or driver of the side-impacted vehicle can be fatal if the impacted side’s door caves in, trapping the driver or passenger. Other injuries include chest trauma, broken bones, and facial injury.
These accidents often happen when one vehicle runs a red light and can be avoided by checking for vehicles traveling straight through an intersection before turning.
3. Sideswipe Accidents
Any traffic situation that requires vehicles to merge and change lanes causes one car to slide along or hit the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents cause body damage to vehicles by breaking mirrors and scratching the sides. They can also cause harm to the driver or passenger if the impact occurs at an angle. Sideswipe accidents also increase the possibility of secondary collisions if one vehicle turns into another lane of traffic.
4. Single Vehicle Accidents
Single vehicle accidents occur when a vehicle runs off the road, spins out on the ice, crashes into an object like a tree or guard rail, or when the driver is intoxicated. Generally, the driver is assumed to be at fault. Injuries tend to include head trauma or crushed rib cages.
In Florida, a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher is drunk driving. It is also illegal to drive under the influence of drugs like marijuana and prescription drugs in Florida. An astonishing 29 people in the United States die in car accidents involving alcohol-impaired driving every day.
5. Head-on Collisions
Head-on collision accidents occur when two vehicles crash into each other’s fronts, usually because one or both cars are driving the wrong way on the road. Head-on collisions tend to be fatal, particularly when one vehicle is speeding, or a driver is distracted. Injuries from this type of accident can be more severe in cases where a passenger or driver is not wearing a seatbelt. They can be thrown through their windshield and into the windshield of the other car, leading to injuries that can be fatal.
“Time saved” from speeding is not worth the catastrophic, and at times fatal, injuries caused to both parties.
How We Can Help
Presume that you or a loved one has suffered injuries or damages from an accident caused by another person’s negligence and recklessness. In that case, our personal injury attorneys and car accident attorneys will evaluate your case and bring a claim against the at-fault party.
Zimmet&Zimmet has served clients in Florida State for more than 40 years and can help you recover damages by seeking compensation for medical bills, property damage, and other losses. Call our Daytona Beach law office on 386-202-1612 to schedule a free consultation with our experienced vehicle accident lawyers.
Zimmet&Zimmet serves Port Orange, Ormond Beach, Orlando, Deland, Deltona, Palm Coast, and the whole of Florida from our Daytona Beach office. You can also get in touch with us for any assistance.
