With Hurricane Irma causing extensive devastation in Florida, notably in the Keys, personal safety is top of mind. After a storm like this, auto accidents peak, often due to flooding, debris in the roadway, high traffic levels (due to people returning home after evacuating) and more.
Below, we’ll discuss some of the top causes of Florida auto accidents and what to do if you get hit.
- Volatile weather – Driving in unsafe conditions can lead to auto accidents and fatalities. If the roads are flooded after a hurricane, as with Irma, it’s better to stay off the roads than risk it. Your car could become trapped in a ditch, and you could drown. Heavy rains, high winds, and other weather events increase your risk of a crash.
- Drunk driving – Drunk drivers cause 15 percent of auto accident fatalities in the Sunshine State. Drivers know it’s dangerous to drive drunk, yet they don’t always make the best decisions before getting behind the wheel. Thousands of accidents could be avoided if people used designated drivers, took public transit, called a cab/Uber/Lyft or stayed over after drinking.
- Failing to yield – Failing to yield the right of way leads to collisions. Whether it’s not stopping at a crosswalk, running a stop sign, or failing to yield when a traffic light is out, failure to yield is a fatal mistake.
- Distracted driving – Distracted driving has gained notoriety with texting-related accidents; however, there are many causes of distracted driving. Nearly 60 percent of Florida auto accidents are caused by some form of distracted driving. To stay safe, avoid texting, talking on a cellphone, eating while driving, fiddling with the radio, rubbernecking, or not watching the road.
How an attorney can help
Have you been injured in an auto accident? A lawyer can explain your rights, and advise you against accepting an unfair “lowball” settlement from an insurer that won’t adequately compensate you for your injuries.
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