Car accidents in Florida most commonly occur in intersections and metro areas; however, accidents on Florida highways cause greater damage, more serious injuries, and more fatalities than those on other roadways. In Florida, the word “highway” typically refers to multi-lane roads with two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Accidents on Florida’s highways occur at higher speeds, increasing the crash force of a collision or roadway departure accident.
About one out of every three car accident fatalities in Florida occur on major highways even though the total number of accidents on non-multi-lane highways is higher. Traveling on highways should be safer because traffic moves in the same direction, there are no intersections, and there are fewer traffic decisions necessary; however, accident numbers on Florida highways remain high and often cause serious injuries.
Florida’s major highways allow speeds of 60 to 70 miles per hour depending on the locations in urban or rural areas. Accidents at these speeds often result in catastrophic injury or death. Driver error is the most common cause of accidents on Florida highways, including the following:
Less commonly, highway accidents result from road hazards or defective car or truck parts. In these cases, a negligent roadway maintenance agency or the manufacturer of a faulty car part could be liable for the damages.
Accidents on Florida’s highways are terrifying, especially if you or a loved one suffered serious injuries, but by taking a few steps at the scene using a cell phone, you can protect your physical and financial future. If you’re too seriously injured to move safely, ask an uninjured person to take the steps for you. After a Florida highway accident, do the following:
Always go directly to the hospital after an accident even if you think you are uninjured. It’s important to have a complete medical evaluation and obtain a detailed medical report of your injuries.
Florida’s no-fault insurance laws are meant to limit injury victims to the compensation available under their own car accident personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. The law requires accident victims to file claims against their insurance regardless of who caused the accident. However, Florida courts provide exceptions for victims who suffer catastrophic injuries with permanent impacts on the victim’s life. An injury victim can recover compensation from an at-fault driver’s insurance or a lawsuit for catastrophic injuries like those associated with high-speed accidents on Florida highways. These include the following:
A skilled Florida car accident lawyer helps those with serious injuries from car accidents recover the most compensation available through an insurance claim or lawsuit against the party at fault for the accident. Reach out to Shapiro | Delgado | Hofmann to get the justice you deserve after a highway accident. Our Sarasota car accident lawyers and Bradenton car accident lawyers are ready to fight for you and guide you through this tough time. Contact us online or call (941) 954-4000 today
