Florida has some of the most dangerous highways in the nation. Countless motorists suffer collisions, suffering costly injuries. Alas, Florida also has one of the worst insurance rates in the nation, with a whopping 27% of drivers not being insured. If you are injured in a car accident, you need an experienced attorney to discuss your options.
U.S. Route 1
This road runs all the way from Maine down to Key West, Florida, a total of 2,369 miles. The section of the highway in Florida saw over 1,000 fatal crashes over a 10-year period, which makes it one of the deadliest roads in the country. Motorists should obviously exercise extreme caution on this highway.
U.S. Route 192
This road runs only 75 miles through Florida, running past Kissimmee, St. Cloud, Melbourne, and Walt Disney World. The road has an average of 0.87 deaths per mile.
Interstate 4
This highway stretches a mere 132 miles from Daytona Beach to Tampa, yet it averages 1.4 fatalities per mile—an astounding number. It was recently ranked as the deadliest road in the entire United States, and is consistently in the top 10.
One writer has speculated that Florida’s roads see so many accidents (and fatalities) because the state has very lax laws regarding cell phone use while driving. Certainly, using a phone to call or send a text message would decrease your focus. As some studies have shown, distracted driving impairs a driver’s reaction times more than being legally intoxicated.
Interstate 95
This is another highway that runs up and down the East Coast, connecting Maine to Florida. I-95 certainly sees its share of accidents.
U.S. Route 17
This road runs from Winchester, Virginia all the way to Punta Gorda, Florida. It averages about 0.43 fatal crashes per mile and is well known for the high number of drunk driving crashes.
How to Protect Yourself
If you live or visit Florida, it can be very difficult, if not impossible, to avoid these roads at all times. Nevertheless, you should take common sense safety precautions that can reduce your risk of an accident. For example:
- Don’t drive distracted. There are some common distractions that almost everyone indulges in that dramatically increase your chances of a crash: eating, drinking, checking a phone, reaching for something on the floor or in the glove compartment box, etc.
- Report erratic driving to the police. If you see someone swerving in and out of lanes, report them. They could be intoxicated.
- Avoid aggressive driving. Don’t speed, tailgate, or pass illegally. If you find yourself getting angry, pull over until you cool down.
- Model safe driving for teens. Your children will learn more by what you do than what you say.
Injured on a Florida Highway? Contact Us for a Free Consultation
After a crash, many of our clients are badly in need of some compensation to fix their vehicles, pay medical bills, and replace lost wages. They also deserve compensation for the pain and suffering or emotional distress that they have endured.
Call us today, 305-371-2692. A Miami car accident lawyer at Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein will be happy to meet with you to discuss your case.