Florida Personal Injury Blog
MIAMI CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER SHARES IMPORTANT ACCIDENT PREVENTION NEWS
Florida ranks #1 in terms of the number of motor vehicle accidents that occur on a daily basis. This is why, Jonathan Perazzo, personal injury lawyer and founder at the Perazzo Law Firm, shares some valuable safety tips for taking to Florida roadways and city streets.
Firstly, it is important that all those in the vehicle wear their seatbelts and that the driver refrain from using their cellphone while the vehicle is in motion. An accident can occur in a split second, and the consequences can sadly last a lifetime if the occupants of the vehicle suffer personal injuries.
Drivers must always stay alert, especially those taking to Florida highways for the first time. Some of Florida’s main roadways are considered the most dangerous in the country, and according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there are some 400,000 reported motor vehicle accidents every year. Sadly, a large number of these accidents involve pedestrians and cyclists, who almost always suffer serious, and sometimes fatal injuries.
The most dangerous highways and roadways in Florida include:
- I-95 Express Toll in Little River, Miami, FL.
- Beach Blvd in Jacksonville, FL.
- 66th St. in Largo, FL.
- I-95 in North Miami, FL.
- Semoran Blvd in Casselberry, FL.
- NW 79th St. in West Little River, FL.
- W State Hwy 60 in Plant City, FL.
- 34th St N. in St. Petersburg, FL.
These roadways are dangerous due to the constant flow of traffic and the rising number of negligent motorists that take to them daily. Motor vehicle accidents don’t happen on their own, and even if a vehicle suffers a malfunction that leads to an accident, the vehicle owner may be considered at fault. Driving in poor weather conditions greatly increases the risk of an accident on one of these roadways, given that many of them involve a constant flow of trucks which are in transit delivering goods. Truck drivers are under a lot of strain and usually drive long hours. Car drivers need to take extra precaution when approaching a big rig or truck (See Truck Accidents).
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS AND WHY THEY HAPPEN
The reasons for a motor vehicle accident can vary from human error to vehicle malfunction. Both can hold the vehicle owner or driver responsible for the accident at fault. Fault depends on why and how the accident happened. The most common causes for car or truck accident include:
NEGLIGENT USE OF CELLPHONES WHILE DRIVING
People and drivers alike, can’t seem to keep their eyes and fingers off their cellphones. When a driver uses his cellphone, for whatever of the many reasons possible, he/she runs the risk of being involved in an accident, this is because his/her eyes are not on the road ahead. Not noticing stopped traffic ahead is one of the most common kind of accident involving negligent cellphone use. Texting and driving is the number one reason for car accidents involving cellphones. The second is using their cellphone for GPS services or sharing information on social media. The third most common is while using Spotify or other entertainment app while driving. Anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road can lead to an accident. Keep your eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel, and the chances of avoiding an accident are much greater. In Miami, Jonathan Perazzo, personal injury lawyer and specialist in car accidents, highly recommends that drivers refrain from using their cellphones while their vehicle is in motion. If possible, it is always best to pull over somewhere safe in order to prevent a possible traffic accident that can end in personal injury to them and third-party victims.
DRUNK DRIVING
Doing anything drunk involves greater concentration and a loss of just that. When under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s no secret that it gets more difficult to concentrate and the time to react to unexpected situations increases. Since accidents occur in a split second, drivers need to be focused and as alert as possible. When a motorists takes to the wheel of a vehicle, he/she is breaking the law. Personal injury lawyers cannot defend a person that has been involved in an accident while legally drunk.
POOR VEHICLE CONDITION
Driving a car or truck that it is in poor condition is highly recommended against by the personal injury lawyers at the Perazzo Law Firm. Poor vehicle condition can include any of the following:
Busted headlights – visibility is fundamental for avoiding traffic accidents when taking part in nighttime driving. Not only is driving with a busted headlight illegally, but it will greatly increase the chances of the driver of that vehicle, to be found at fault for the accident, especially unless proved otherwise. A police report will include information concerning how the accident happened, the condition of the vehicles involved, and may cite the at fault driver accordingly.
Bald Tires – when bad weather strikes and roadways get slippery, maintaining control of your vehicle gets more difficult, especially when attempting an unexpected maneuver such as braking suddenly for stopped traffic ahead. Rear-end collisions are quite common when worn tires fail to do their job, especially at high speeds.
Bad Brakes – a vehicle’s brakes must be functioning properly. This not only include the brake pads, but the alignment of the brakes. Have your brakes inspected regularly.
If you were involved in an accident in Miami, the Perazzo Law Firm urges you to contact our law office in North Miami Beach for a FREE initial consultation and ZERO OUT-OF-POCKET FEES.