Seasonal Weather Hazards Can Cause Serious Injuries in Florida

While Florida is often perceived as having year-round balmy weather, the reality is that our state sees its fair share of inclement weather. Tropical storms and hurricanes, for instance, which are accompanied by torrential rain and heavy winds are common in Florida and wreak havoc on residents and visitors to the state alike. Unfortunately, it is not only the storms themselves that pose a risk to people’s health and safety, but also other people’s carelessness during those storms. Below, we’ve included a few examples of the most common weather-related accidents in Florida that end up giving rise to personal injury cases.

Car Accidents in Inclement Weather 

Even driving in perfectly clear weather can be dangerous due to the presence of other drivers, so it makes sense that when visibility is reduced (as occurs during storms) that the risk of collision would be even higher. Just because the weather is bad, however, does not mean that drivers are no longer obligated to follow the rules of the road. Indeed, there may be an extra responsibility in such cases to adjust one’s speed based on the conditions, avoid following other drivers too closely, and to generally use extra caution.

Boating Accidents in Stormy Weather 

Heavy winds and rainstorms don’t only pose a risk to road users in Florida, but can also cause serious accidents on the water. Florida is home to more than one million watercraft vessels, so it’s important for boat users to remain aware of the risks of summer storms on their local waterways. Heavy wind and rains, for instance, make it more difficult to control boats on the water, while capsizing from large waves and wakes becomes a much more real possibility. Collisions and falls are also a lot more likely to occur during these events.

Slip and Falls on Wet Surfaces

 In low-lying parts of the state, it is not uncommon for water to accumulate during heavy rains. These puddles are a slip and fall risk to anyone who encounters them, which is why property owners are required to take steps to protect visitors from such falls. Responsibilities could involve placing signs to warn visitors of the risk, installing mats near entrance ways and exits to prevent slipping, and placing awnings and overhangs in the proper locations. Trip and fall accidents can also occur in these locations if buffeting winds blow debris onto the property.

Truck Accidents During Storms 

Heavy winds and rains make it even harder for truck drivers to control their vehicles, which have much higher profiles and are a lot heavier than the average passenger car. As a result, heavy winds can easily cause a truck to roll over and stopping a vehicle that can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds when the roads are wet can be nearly impossible. Besides rollover accidents, jackknife accidents are very common during Florida storms. Unfortunately, the injuries sustained in these crashes are almost always severe for the occupants of the smaller vehicle.

Were You Injured in a Florida Accident? 

To speak with an experienced Florida personal injury lawyer about your own weather-related accident, please call 813-251-0072 or reach out to the legal team at Anderson & Anderson via online message today.

Sources:

 naplesnews.com/story/news/local/2024/06/12/florida-highway-patrol-two-die-in-weather-related-crash-in-immokalee/74078386007/

nbcmiami.com/news/local/florida-leads-the-nation-in-recreational-boats-see-which-county-has-the-most-registered-boats/3062078/