Miami Injury Lawyer Blog
For anyone that has driven in South Florida, it might not be a surprise that Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the US to commute and drive in. In South Florida especially, population density, confusing roads, and aggressive drivers are just some of the many factors that lead to some of the highest fatality rates on the road in any state in the US, only following the much larger states of California and Texas. According to the Census Bureau and the Federal Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Florida ranks third among the states in fatal traffic accidents, with over 2,500 incidents of fatal accidents in the year of 2009 alone. This number brings into focus the harsh truths about the Florida driving environment.
In a separate study comparing the fatal accident rates to that of drivers reported to be distracted, some more startling numbers come to light. The census reports that upwards of 15% of fatal accidents involve at least one distracted driver. These cases are the just the ones that actually reported that one driver might have been distracted in the official accident report, so the number in fact could be much higher, with police trying to soften the blow to families, and their reluctance to place blame at the scene of a fatal accident. These numbers include motorcycle and big rig cases as well. You can see more information about the Census Bureau’s investigation into transportation related incidents at census.gov.
So what all is distracting the drivers of Florida causing such high numbers of crashes and crash fatalities? The main problems with distracted drivers include the prevalence of cell phone communication while driving (of which some is illegal in the state of Florida), talking and paying attention to passengers, changing of music, cds, or other media while driving, and sleep deprivation or sleepy drivers. These factors can cause serious problems on the road, especially with the traffic situations like they are in South Florida day to day. The Friedland | Carmona handles cases often where drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians and bikers are injured seriously by distracted drivers in South Florida.
So what can you do to make the road a safer place? Distracted driving is a simple fix. Have passengers handle media in the car, so you can keep your eyes on the road. Save phone conversations for when you are not driving, or pull over if there are emergencies. Make sure you are awake enough to drive, and pull over if not. These small fixes could end up saving a life, including your own. Driving in South Florida can be extremely scary, but with a little help from everyone, it can be a safer and easier place to drive.
If you, a friend, or family member has been injured due to the negligence of another, including distracted driving, drunk driving, or hit and runs, call the Friedland | Carmona today! Our experienced attorneys can work hard for you to get you the compensation you need for medical bills, emotional damage, and property damage to your vehicle after an accident. The attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have years of experience with a wide range of personal injury lawsuits, including slip and falls, trip and falls, automobile accidents, and marine injuries.