If you live in Broward or Miami-Dade Counties, you already know how dangerous driving on South Florida roadways can be. As a personal injury law firm committed to serving our neighbors in the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Miami Gardens, Miramar, Lauderhill, North Miami, Hollywood, and Homestead communities, Josh Jones Law, P.A. shares important information in this blog about the nine common types of car accidents in South Florida. We want to help you take the necessary precautions to mitigate your risk or avoid Florida car accidents altogether.

1. Elder and Senior Driver Accidents

Accidents often happen because of common medical conditions many seniors deal with, including arthritis, hypertension, hearing loss, heart attack or stroke, and failing vision.

If you’re an elderly driver, be sure to consult with your healthcare professional about any condition that could impair your ability to drive safely. Check your blood pressure, keep your eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions current, and avoid getting behind the wheel when you do not feel well.

2. Head-On Collisions

As a bustling city filled with many commuters, Miami has more than its share of head-on collisions. A head-on collision occurs when two vehicles collide after approaching each other from different directions. It tends to have a high fatality rate. You can reduce your odds of getting into a head-on collision by obeying traffic signs and speed limits, taking your car to the mechanic regularly, avoiding drinking and driving, and refraining from using any kind of device like a smartphone. If you can, take less-trafficked routes and stay off of the highway during peak traffic times.

3. Left-Turn Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 40 percent of car accidents occur at intersections. Of these, several happened while a driver was making a left turn. Left-turn accidents can inflict devastating injuries on drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

Because our Florida roads feature two travel lanes, four lanes meet in the middle at most intersections. This arrangement creates a dangerous dynamic that requires drivers to remain aware and vigilant. NHTSA studies demonstrate that driver error accounts for most intersection collisions. The most common mistakes include:

• Not observing the intersection
• Making the wrong assumptions about other drivers
• Traveling through an intersection with a blocked or partially blocked view
• Making illegal traffic maneuvers
• Being distracted by things like the radio, phone, and other devices
• Judging situations improperly

Although many factors contribute to the danger of left-hand turns, the primary reason is having to cross an entire lane of traffic after pausing for vehicles from both directions. It is a tricky scenario that demands the ability to think and move quickly.

Of course, quick judgments often come at the expense of safety. Drivers turning left may not see other drivers and pedestrians coming toward them. In addition, drivers making left-hand turns sometimes assume that a motorist heading in their direction will yield. Left-turn drivers frequently make this mistake when an approaching vehicle accidentally has its blinker on, or the driver appears to slow down.

Another factor that causes left-turn accidents involves the driver’s misjudgment of the time it will take to make the turn. Unfortunately, left turns often become fatal because oncoming vehicles travel faster than those making left turns. In this case, the sheer force of the collision can inflict severe damages and injuries to everyone involved.

4. T-Bone and Side Impact Car Accidents

Florida roads host more than their share of T-bone and side-impact collisions. This particular type of car accident occurs when the front end of one vehicle impacts the side of another car, most often at a traffic intersection. Sadly, T-bone and side-impact car accidents result in severe injuries and even death for the passengers and drivers involved. Because the driver’s sole protection on the driver’s side is a narrow window and a door, T-bone and side-impact car accidents can be deadly.

5. Hit-and-Run Accidents

In Florida, almost 25 percent of car crashes involve a hit-and-run, a figure that has remained steady every year. While most hit-and-run accidents primarily cause property damage, they can be fatal.

On July 1, 2014, the Florida legislature passed the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, named for the 31-year old father and cycling enthusiast killed after being struck by a drunk driver in South Florida in 2012, leaving two young children behind. In a miscarriage of justice, the hit-and-run driver received a sentence of two years in prison—less than what the driver would have served if sentenced on a DUI manslaughter charge. The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act imposes a mandatory minimum of four years for a motorist convicted of leaving the scene of a crash that causes a fatality.

6. Teen Drivers and Auto Accidents

In 2017, 63,916 teenagers experienced car accidents throughout Florida, resulting in 15,718 injuries and 146 fatalities. The younger the teen, the more likely the chance of getting into a crash. On the other hand, older teens had fewer accidents from 2016 to 2017. Still, Florida ranks as the 12th best state in the country for teen drivers, despite our relatively permissive driving laws, which come in at 43rd in the country. It may be hard to believe, but Florida remains the 11th safest state for teen driver deaths, teen DUIs, teen texting while driving, and other factors.

Regardless, in South Florida, teenagers suffer severe injuries in car accidents. Did you or your teenage driver get hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence? The law gives you the right to compensation. Give us a call at Josh Jones Law, P.A. at (305) 677-8846 to discuss the details of your case.

7. Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents account for just four percent of crashes, yet they are treacherous, accounting for one-third of all driver and passenger fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), states report more than 280,000 rollover accidents every year. These accidents kill over 10,000 people because minivans, pickups, and SUVs have a much more significant risk of rollovers due to their higher center of gravity.

The two types of rollover accidents are tripped and non-tripped:

A tripped rollover happens when a vehicle abruptly exits the road and slides sideways. Ninety-five percent of single-vehicle rollover accidents are tripped rollover accidents. Most often, tripped rollovers take place on steep slopes or soft soil or by colliding with a guardrail. Steering input, speed, and friction with the ground create non-tripped rollover crashes.

A portion of all rollover accidents (tripped and non-tripped) result from a manufacturing defect. If a manufacturer fails to make a vehicle according to code or an automotive part malfunctions, the manufacturer bears liability for the rollover accident. Florida’s product liability law mandates manufacturers to install safety features to prevent rollover accidents. If the manufacturer does not adhere to the safety recommendations or warn consumers of potential problems, injured victims can hold them liable for compensation. Here at Josh Jones Law, P.A., we help our clients receive the compensation they deserve when harmed by defective products.

8. Rideshare Accidents

Rideshare companies like Uber have grown in popularity because they offer consumers an inexpensive way to get around. Still, even people who drive for a living make bad decisions on the highway, causing car accidents that result in injuries for all passengers and drivers involved. Have you suffered a severe injury as a passenger in a rideshare vehicle? You have rights. The most well-known rideshare companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar have one-million-dollar policies that protect their drivers, customers, and all parties involved. You could receive compensation from this pool of money for damages you sustained.

Suppose you have experienced a rideshare accident. In that case, you must first seek medical attention and jot down as many details as you can remember about the crash. Do NOT discuss the accident with any insurance companies or adjusters because they do not have your best interest in mind. Instead, contact an experienced personal injury attorney like Josh Jones at (305) 677-8846 right away. He knows how to deal with rideshare companies and insurance companies and will go above and beyond to protect your rights and secure the best compensation outcome possible.

9. Rear-End Accidents

On our nation’s highways and South Florida roadways, rear-end accidents rank among the most common. We live in a multi-tasking society, and sadly, driver distractions like cell phones, GPS controls, and radios can increase the likelihood of having a rear-end accident. If you sustained a  severe injury in a rear-end accident, give Josh Jones Law, P.A. a call at (305) 677-8846 to schedule your free consultation. Josh and the caring team at Josh Jones Law, P.A. will listen with empathy and guide you through your case to ensure the best possible outcome.

Josh Jones Law, P.A.: Proudly Serving Our Neighbors In Broward And Miami-dade Counties

Have you suffered an injury in a car accident? You need an experienced car accident attorney to help you prepare for your personal injury case. At Josh Jones Law, P.A., we focus on helping people understand and fight for their legal rights, especially those from underserved communities. We serve the Greater Miami area, including:

•       Miami
•       Fort Lauderdale
•       Miami Gardens
•       Miramar
•       Lauderhill
•       North Miami
•       Hollywood
•       Homestead

To learn more, download Your Free Personal Injury Toolkit.

Schedule your free consultation with a knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorney by calling (305) 239-4878 or filling out our online form. There are no fees until you win!

 

Copyright © 2022. Josh Jones Law, P.A. All rights reserved.

 

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

Josh Jones Law, P.A.
15715 South Dixie Highway, Suite 214
Miami, FL 33157
(305) 677-8846
https://www.joshjoneslaw.com