If you have driven on Florida roads for a few years, you already know that our state does not have a perfect driving record, much less many of the people on the roads. Florida tends to be one of the top states for auto accidents, year after year. If you’ve noticed an increase in the amount of crashes, you’re not alone. The rising number of Florida auto accidents isn’t going to bring us down in the rankings any time soon.
In 2016, Florida saw over 3,200 traffic fatalities. That’s almost nine deaths throughout the state every day. The number of traffic fatalities also comes with close to a 10% increase in accidents from 2015, as well as an increase in hit-and-run accidents.
Hit-and-run accidents typically account for 1 in every 4 auto accidents throughout the state. These accidents are utterly aggravating for the driver who has to pick up the check for damages, not to mention the fact that they can someone in deadly danger. If a car is hit and no one is around to witness the accident, the affected driver could be left helpless, without the ability to reach out to emergency services in time.
Why are these numbers rising? The answer is pretty simple. There are just more drivers out on the road. Florida has seen over 500,000 new drivers since 2011. With new drivers and more drivers, there are more chances that you will run into distracted drivers, drunk drivers, or drivers with road rage. More drivers mean there are more chances you will get into an accident.
What You Can Do To Be Safe
With more drivers out on the road, motor vehicle safety is more important than ever. Luckily, there are many things you can do to prevent future accidents, and get help after an accident within seconds of crashing. Consider the following safety tips:
Opt to Carpool, Bike, or Take Public Transportation. Let’s reduce the amount of accidents by getting at the root of the problem. More cars on the road increases the likelihood for getting into an accident, so find other ways to get where you’re going beyond using a car – especially if you’re the only one in it. Even taking a coworker or your significant other to work takes a car off the road. Public transportation and biking not only get you off the road, but provide a greener way of getting around.
Get Car Safety Apps. If you’ve got to drive (as many of us do), be prepared by downloading apps for keeping drivers safe after an accident. Some of these apps (which you can find in our past blog posts) alert your friends and family that you’ve been in an accident with the click of a button. Emergency services can be contacted before a driver about to run from an accident can even turn around.
Buckle Your Seat Belt. Even if you’ve heard this 1,000 times, we will tell you 1,001 times. Seat belts save lives. When you think about buckling your seat belt, think about the 500,000 new drivers that have increased the risk of getting into an accident in the past few years. Think of the 3,200 traffic deaths, many of which may have been prevented by seat belt usage. Buckle up.
Unfortunately, we can’t get all of Florida’s new drivers to take public transportation, and no one can prevent anyone else from driving hazardously. If you have been in a hit-and-run or any other type of car accident, talk to a Florida personal injury attorney.
About the Author:
Lawlor, White & Murphey in 1998. Since 1995, Mr. Lawlor’s trial advocacy and litigation skills, as well as his wide-ranging legal expertise, have provided plaintiffs and their families with a distinct advantage when seeking financial compensation and justice for injuries caused by the negligence of others. Mr. Lawlor is an EAGLE member of the Florida Bar Association and an active member of the American Association for Justice, the Broward County Justice Association, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and several professional associations.