Florida has beautiful weather year round. This means that people are likely to spend more of the year outside and are also likely to spend more time on the road. While there are many benefits to this, one downside is that more time on the road equates to a higher potential for car accidents. Understanding where some of the greater “danger spots” are can assist with you avoiding a wreck. If you have been in an auto accident, however, it is important to know what steps to take next.
Florida’s Ten Most Deadly Intersections
According to Speedwaymedia, the following were the ten most deadly intersections in the state of Florida as of July, 2022.
- Dixie Highway and Commercial Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale – Eight fatalities occurred just in 2017 at this intersection. This made the particular intersection the most lethal in Broward County.
- Hillsborough Avenue and Fletcher Avenue in Tampa – Since 2012, this intersection has seen fifteen deaths and thirty-six total injuries. It is considered one of the most dangerous areas in Hillsborough County.
- Highway A1A in Fort Pierce – Fort Pierce has been a hot spot of accident activity for some time. It has seen seven fatalities since 2016.
- Jefferson and Palmetto Boulevards in Palm Beach – One of the most dangerous locations in all of Florida, this intersection saw fifteen deaths in 2016 alone
- South Dixie Highway – This area is considered highly dangerous due to the high volume of traffic which it sees on a regular basis.
- Brickell Avenue and Southwest 2nd Street in Miami – This is one of the deadliest intersections in Miami-Dade County. It saw five deaths in 2016 and it has continued to see a slew of accidents since then.
- Pensacola Boulevard and Fairfield Drive in Pensacola – A lack of traffic lights is credited as being one of the reasons why this intersection has seen five deaths and thirty-one injuries.
- North Federal Highway – This intersection has no traffic lights or other traffic regulating mechanisms. As a result, it was credited with eight fatalities in 2016.
- Flamingo Road and Stirling Road in Pembroke Pines – This intersection saw twenty-one injuries in 2012 and is credited for eleven deaths.
- Alton Road and Dade Boulevard in Miami – This intersection saw fifteen deaths in 2017. This included two accidents which were only separated by one day.
What To Do If You Have Been In a Car Accident
Seek Immediate Medical Care
The first step after any car accident is to seek immediate medical care. If you have been seriously injured then it is important that you do not decline an ambulance ride to the hospital. Even if you do not believe you are seriously injured, and no ambulance has been called, you should go straight to the hospital as symptoms of injuries can take time to display themselves. It is important that you seek immediate care as failing to do so can allow the defense to argue that your injuries were, in fact, caused by an event which occurred between the wreck and the time at which you sought care. Going to the hospital immediately can help to foreclose such an argument.
It is understandable that some people may decline care out of concern over expense. In most personal injury cases, however, medical providers are willing to accept a lien against an eventual settlement. This means that you will not have to pay up-front and out-of-pocket for care in many situations. Your lawyer can assist you with the handling of any liens related to your care. When selecting counsel, it is highly suggested that you retain a firm with a personal injury focus as they will have extensive experience in such matters.
Contact an Attorney Immediately
It is common for insurance adjusters to immediately contact a victim after a car accident. This can happen within as little as a day or two. The adjusters will often attempt to settle with you directly and will attempt to dissuade you from retaining counsel. They will often attempt to claim that retaining a lawyer will not help to obtain a higher settlement. It must be remembered, however, that these adjusters are employees of the insurance company. Their purpose is to protect the insurance company’s profits and it is not to ensure that you receive all of the compensation which you are entitled to. An attorney will serve as your representative and is charged with protecting your interests. Contacting counsel immediately is, therefore, vital.
Take the Advice of Your Attorney
Many accident victims wish to put the matter behind them as quickly as possible. This is understandable. This desire for a swift resolution can result in individuals accepting a “quick” settlement. Doing so can be detrimental as it may leave the injured individual without the money they need for future medical care and living expenses. Your attorney will advise you as to when is the best time to settle a case. Your counsel is charged with protecting your interests and they will offer honest advice as to whether an offer is the best you can expect in a particular situation.
Your Right to Compensation In a Car Accident Case
If you have been involved in a car accident then you may be entitled to past and future lost wages, past and future medical expenses, and compensation for pain and suffering. The amount of compensation to which you will be entitled will always depend on the specific facts of your situation. An experienced lawyer will give you an honest assessment as to whether they believe the other side will be found liable, whether comparative fault is an issue in your case, and what the financial value of your case may be.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Attorney
If you have been involved in a wreck then the first step is to seek immediate medical care. You should then contact a lawyer immediately. Our firm understands that you are in a stressful situation and we will make sure that your rights are protected throughout the process. Contact us online or by telephone at 800-780-8607 to schedule a consultation with a Florida car accident attorney.
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