Articles Posted in Car Accidents

You might hear rumors or have personal experience driving on the most dangerous roads across the US. However, statistics are actual proof that Florida is home to a few of the deadliest highways in the nation. According to a report published by WFLA NBC News Channel 8, traffic data from all US states was analyzed to determine where the highest number of fatal auto accidents occur. Researchers crunched the numbers and ranked the Top 20, finding that three of them are in Florida. Besides the individuals who were killed, thousands of other victims are injured on these same roads annually. 

For many people who hear about highways being extremely dangerous, the first idea is to avoid them entirely. Not everyone can do so, but it is helpful to realize why collisions occur on these roads so frequently. If you were involved in a crash, retaining a Miami car accident attorney should be a priority. 

Three Deadliest Roads in Florida

Considering the dense population in South Florida, it is not surprising that more than one-third of all motor vehicle accidents occur in the counties of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports there were more than 123,000 crashes in the region in 2022, and the figures for 2023 are on track to reach this total by the end of the year. Of these collisions, around 43,250 are injury-causing, leading to bodily harm for almost 64,600 victims. Based on the data, you can guess that many of the people who are hurt in Miami car accidents are passengers in the involved vehicle. 

Passengers do have rights under Florida law, but the legal process can be more complex when it comes to insurance questions. This is because of the state’s no-fault insurance law, which requires all motorists to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP). A Miami car accident lawyer can explain your remedies, but a summary is useful.

You must go through your own PIP. If you own a vehicle and follow the law by purchasing the required auto insurance policy, you are covered as a passenger in someone else’s car. In fact, you must file a claim with your own insurer in such a situation. Through PIP, you can recover up to 80 percent of all reasonable medical costs and expenses related to the accident. If you miss work because of your injuries, PIP will pay up to 60 percent of lost wages. 

You might assume that some occupations are more dangerous than others, but the risk affects all Florida employees when you realize the number one cause of work-related fatalities in America. Motor vehicle accidents. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 17,000 employees were killed in on-the-job traffic crashes from 2011 to 2020. The 1,038 workers who died in 2020 represent 22% of all workplace deaths. Plus, many others are injured in vehicle accidents while working, leading to significant losses for entire families.

Work-related injuries are typically covered by Florida workers’ comp laws, which are the exclusive remedy for employees hurt on the job. However, the nature of traffic collisions means that you might pursue additional options. There are advantages if you qualify, and a Miami workplace injury attorney can explain them in detail. A few facts are also useful as an overview.

Workers’ Comp May NOT Be Your Only Remedy

You have heard about how your personality impacts relationships and professional opportunities, but researchers have discovered another area where these traits affect your life. The American Safety Council reported on a study of driving personalities, basically a psychological assessment of the state of mind of motorists when operating a vehicle. Researchers have identified seven different driving personalities, though they did stress that the categories are fluid. Drivers could draw traits from multiple personalities, especially under varying traffic conditions. 

As you can probably guess, certain driving personalities are more likely to cause or contribute to auto collisions. Their attitudes put all motorists at risk, so it is good to know you have legal options under Florida law if you were hurt. A Miami car accident lawyer can assist with pursuing the at-fault driver for compensation, including medical costs, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Meanwhile, here are a few of the driving personalities to avoid when you can – and avoid being one yourself.

• The Know-it-All: These were some of the most annoying kids in your class when you were younger, and they are no better when they get on the road. Know-it-Alls considers themselves experts on every traffic law in Florida, so they are always in the right regarding traffic situations. Their self-aggrandizing attitude also ensures they will communicate with other drivers who are “wrong,” often opening a window to scream at another motorist.