Why More Car Accidents Happen in the Summer

 

Many drivers in the Miami area may notice an increase in car accidents during summer. The summer months typically mean 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 are some of the most dangerous times to be on the roads. The increase in auto accidents has to do with a number of factors, including more teenage drivers being on the road, 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 a popular time for construction work on our nation’s 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

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 to tires to expand resulting in a blowout and and engines to overheat.

Teen Drivers

During the summer, kids are out of school, which means more teen drivers 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 are 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 a 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 these warmer 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.  

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.

Related Resource: https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/summer-driving-accidents-38999