Summertime Driving Dangers in South Florida from Aronfeld Trial Lawyers
Drivers in South Florida may notice an increase in car accidents during the summer months. This is a time when there are typically more vehicles on the road and more tourists visiting our state. According to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the summer months, particularly June, July, and August, are some of the most dangerous times to be on the roads. The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, referred to as the 100 days of summer, are nationally known as the most dangerous time for teen drivers.
The increase in auto accidents has to do with a number of factors, including more teenage drivers being on the road, heat-related factors, an increased number of tourists, and holiday weekends.
Holiday Weekends
Summer brings two big celebrations, namely Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Memorial Day weekend has always been considered one of the most dangerous driving holidays of the year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 400 people die every year during Memorial Day weekend in traffic accidents. The July Fourth holiday has also been reported as one of the deadliest driving holidays. Alcohol is a common factor in many of these fatal car accidents during the summer and pedestrian accidents.
Road Construction
The summer months are also a popular time for construction on major highways. This increase in construction can cause road congestion, lane closures, and detours, which can all result in an increase in auto accidents.
Car Problems Related to Extreme Heat
The heat can have a damaging effect on your vehicle’s performance if proper maintenance and precautions are not taken during the summer months. The extreme heat in Florida can cause tires to expand resulting in blowouts and engines to overheat.
Teen Drivers
During the summer, kids are out of school, which means more teen drivers are out cruising the roads. Lack of driving experience combined with distracted driving can be a deadly combination. Teen drivers are more prone to peer pressure and may be more likely to be distracted by friends in the car or by their cell phone while behind the wheel. The chance of an accident occurring is three times more likely when the driver is under the age of 20 years old. Additionally, drivers who are between 15 and 20 years of age account for more traffic accident fatalities than any other age group.
Distracted Driving
It has been reported that 10 percent of all drivers involved in car accidents that resulted in fatality were distracted at the time of the accident. Because teen drivers account for more of the accidents on the road during the summer months, it should go as no surprise that distracted driving is a bigger problem during the summer and leads to more accidents.
Drunk Driving
The summer months are meant for rest and relaxation, but many people take that mindset a bit too far when it comes to drinking alcohol. The increased number of people traveling to the beach or to cookouts during the summer months leads to an increased number of accidents. Law enforcement will often step up patrols and enforcement to crack down on intoxicated drivers, but this fact does not always deter people from getting behind the wheel after having too many drinks.
Certain roads and highways are more prone to others when it comes to Miami car accidents.
US-1
As one of the major routes running north and south through the city, US-1 can get very congested. But the segment between I-195 and I-395 has the highest concentration of accidents, according to the latest statistics.
I-95
I-95 is another major north-south highway through Miami. It has a high density of car accidents near the interchange with I-195 and between NW 20th Street and the I-395 interchange.
12th Avenue in East Little Havana
The section of 12th Avenue between Flagler Street and SW 1st Street has a high number of accidents due to heavy congestion from locals and tourists.
FREE CONSULTATION WITH A MIAMI AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida, it is very important to consult with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney immediately. Florida auto accident victims have only 14 days to seek initial medical attention to receive insurance benefits after an accident, so it is important you are seen by a doctor as soon as possible following the accident. Spencer Aronfeld is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, and he and the
lawyers at Aronfeld Trial Lawyers understand Florida’s complex personal injury laws and since 1991 we have fought hard to protect the legal rights of the injured and their families- and hold auto insurers like State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, GEICO and others accountable for the pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages suffered by our clients. Contact us today and speak with an experienced Miami auto accident attorney toll free 1-866-597-4529, local 305-441-0440, or by email. We offer a free initial consultation at your home, office, hotel or hospital. Call us today, we are ready to help.
