In summer, tourists flood the sunshine state to enjoy beaches, beautiful weather, and fun attractions. However, this means the dangerous Florida roadways become even more treacherous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2017 and 2019 the Tampa area held the most dangerous roads while Miami had the most fatal car accidents overall.
Dangerous Florida Roadways and Highways
The most dangerous Florida highways are ranked as follows:
- Interstate 4
- US-1
- Interstate 95
- Interstate 75
- Interstate 10
I-4 has been the number one deadliest highway in the United States for a few years, reported by Teletrac Navman, in a row and it makes sense! I-4 is the highway that connects Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach, arguably the most tourist-heavy places in Florida year-round. A lot of construction is always happening on I-4. Some stretches of road can have extensive construction that deviates drivers from the normal path and take one that isn’t familiar.
US-1 is a highway that connects Key West, FL to FT. Kent, ME. The stretch of highway in Miami had the most fatal crashes in Florida. US-1 is close to the beaches and in Miami, drunk driving is a major cause of many fatal car accidents. In 2021, Miami saw 346 fatal crashes with 267 of those crashes being alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.
During the 2 year study done by the NHTSA, Hillsborough county experienced more drunk driving car accidents than any other type of distracted driving accident. Even in 2021, Hillsborough county saw 412 total drunk driving accidents. Fatal accidents along I-75, which is a dangerous highway in the Tampa area, stretch from Miami across to Naples and then all the way north to Michigan. Hillsborough county contains a few dangerous roads in Florida; I-4 and I-75.
What Makes a Roadway Dangerous?
Distracted driving habits, unfamiliar drivers on the road, and weather all affect Florida roads being dangerous for drivers. Our Florida personal injury attorneys who specialize in handling car accidents are able to assist victims of crashes caused by negligent drivers. But always practice safe driving techniques so you know how to identify reckless drivers on the road.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving habits like texting while driving is heavily monitored around the U.S and many states have a campaign to help reduce it. In July 2019, Florida’s law to ban texting while driving went into full swing and included using social media like Snapchat as illegal as well. In 2019, there were over 56,000 total crashes that were directly related to drivers being distracted as they drove and 271 resulted in fatalities. Using your phone while driving causes you to look away from the road and down to your device. If you are driving at high speeds, like on a highway, your vehicle will cover a lot of roadway while you aren’t paying attention.
Unfamiliar Drivers
During heavy tourist months like March to April for spring break and June to July for summer, the rate of accidents significantly goes up in Florida. The dangerous Florida roadways we mentioned earlier become the deadliest roads during these peak months with an increase of fatalities per mile. March continuously sees the most fatal car accidents in Florida, especially in regards to drunk driving accidents. In popular college spring break locations, like Miami, Daytona Beach, and Tampa, it is important to practice safe driving and be aware of your surroundings.
Weather
From June to September, the rainy weather in Florida is the most unpredictable and hazardous for most out-of-state drivers who aren’t comfortable driving in the rain. Heavy rain makes it difficult for drivers to see in front of them, so it is recommended to slow down when driving. Since Florida is very close to sea level, flooding is a frequent occurrence after heavy rains. To avoid flooding hazards like hydroplaning, AAA says it’s better to move away from the right lane when water starts pooling. AAA also advises that if your vehicle shuts down in standing water do not restart it.
What to Do After A Florida Car Accident
Following a Florida car accident, you need to take the right steps to come out the other side in the sunshine! Whether you are a Floridian or an out-of-state visitor, our Florida car accident attorneys will be able to advise you on your claim! Our personal injury law firm offers free case consultations for all injury victims. The most important thing for car accident victims is to call the police immediately after an accident.
The police arriving on the accident scene and writing a report will be the best basis for your claim. While they assess the accident, you should make the call for your injuries. If you need an ambulance or not, you should make sure your injuries all get checked and documented. This will make it easier for you to receive compensation for all the injuries the negligent driver caused. While you are still on the scene, make sure you take photos of the area, your car, and all other cars involved.
All the evidence you can gather will assist your car accident attorney in building a proper case against the negligent party. You’ll be able to claim settlement amounts for medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Pain and suffering is another type of compensation that Florida car accident victims can collect when they have our car accident attorneys fighting for them!
About the Author
Michael Feiner
Michael A. Feiner is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001, Michael has devoted his practice to representing plaintiffs throughout Florida in various tort and strict liability cases and has successfully litigated cases against national insurance companies, large public companies, and governmental agencies, resulting in tens of millions of dollars for his clients.
He has handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of plaintiffs, including automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and sexual harassment. Michael’s product liability case against Microsoft, as well as his representation of victims of sexual harassment and abuse by physicians, has garnered him important media attention at both the local and national levels.
Michael is an experienced trial lawyer and successfully argued an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In the reported decision Ortlieb v. Butts, 849 So.2d 1165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), Michael persuaded the Fourth District Court of Appeal that a directed verdict on liability was appropriate where the defendant did not rebut the presumption of negligence of a rear driver in a rear-end collision.
Michael Feiner
Michael A. Feiner is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Steinger, Greene & Feiner. Since being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2001, Michael has devoted his practice to representing plaintiffs throughout Florida in various tort and strict liability cases and has successfully litigated cases against national insurance companies, large public companies, and governmental agencies, resulting in tens of millions of dollars for his clients. He has handled all types of personal injury and wrongful death cases on behalf of plaintiffs, including automobile negligence, premises liability, medical malpractice, product liability, dog bites, and sexual harassment. Michael’s product liability case against Microsoft, as well as his representation of victims of sexual harassment and abuse by physicians, has garnered him important media attention at both the local and national levels. Michael is an experienced trial lawyer and successfully argued an appeal to the Fourth District Court of Appeal. In the reported decision Ortlieb v. Butts, 849 So.2d 1165 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003), Michael persuaded the Fourth District Court of Appeal that a directed verdict on liability was appropriate where the defendant did not rebut the presumption of negligence of a rear driver in a rear-end collision.