What Caused Your Florida Car Crash?
Car accidents cause thousands of injuries and hundreds of untimely deaths in Florida every year. These kinds of crashes can happen in a number of ways, but there are a few causes that crop up again and again. It’s important for drivers to have a thorough understanding of these causes so that they can better keep themselves safe when on the road.
Speeding
Of the many driver behaviors that can cause car accidents, speeding is one of the most dangerous because:
- It gives drivers a lot less time to react and so avoid a potential collision;
- It increases vehicle stopping distance; and
- It reduces the ability of guardrails and median dividers to protect a vehicle upon impact.
Most of all, speeding tends to result in a much more brutal impact in the event of a collision, significantly increasing the chances of severe injuries. Speeding was thought to contribute to as many as 29 percent of fatal car accidents in 2021.
Distracted Driving
Another commonly cited cause of car accidents in Florida is distracted driving. This occurs whenever a driver is failing to pay full attention to the road by:
- Taking his or her mind off of driving;
- Taking his or her hands off the wheel; or
- Taking his or her eyes off the road.
The most dangerous types of distracted driving fall under more than one category. Texting and driving, for instance, is particularly dangerous because it involves all three kinds of distractions: cognitive, manual, and visual. Tragically, more than 3,000 people lost their lives in accidents because of distracted driving in 2022 alone and thousands more were injured.
Driving Under the Influence
One of the most frustrating driving behaviors that leads to car accidents is driving under the influence, simply because it is so preventable. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in all 50 states, including in Florida, where those who are found guilty of this offense face jail time, hefty fines, and the suspension of their driver’s licenses. Unfortunately, this doesn’t stop many drivers from getting behind the wheel when impaired. Doing so can have devastating consequences, as intoxicated drivers have slower reflexes, impaired judgment, reduced concentration, and impaired hand eye coordination, making it much more likely that they will cause an accident. Drivers who get behind the wheel while impaired and who cause accidents as a result can and should be held liable by those who are injured as a result.
Car Accident Recovery
Even the most careful of drivers could end up injured in an accident because someone else engaged in negligent or reckless driving behavior. Fortunately, in Florida, accident victims who can prove that their injuries were the result of someone else’s carelessness are often able to recover compensation for some or all of their losses, including reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. There are, however, certain nuances involved in filing this type of claim, so if you or a loved one were hurt in a car accident, consider reaching out to the experienced Tampa auto accident lawyers at Anderson & Anderson for advice. You can reach us at 813-251-0072 or by sending us an online message.
Sources:
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/speeding
nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/distracted-driving
