Obviously, there are tons of things that can cause wrecks across Sarasota. However, just because something goes down this way during this event doesn’t mean that’s what will happen with the next one and so on. That is because the circumstances of every collision are different. Therefore, if you get into an incident, don’t be surprised if its cause is something different than those listed here.
Stay tuned to learn about some of the common reasons why accidents happen in the Sarasota area. But first, let’s see how many crashes really occur in The Sunshine State. Then, you won’t merely be taking our word for it that the streets here can be dangerous.
FLHSMV Crash Fact
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida accounted for 401,540 codeable crashes in 2021. That number was up from 341,399 just the year before in 2020. However, the hefty jump was likely because the pandemic was in full swing in 2020, and lots of people were staying home instead of running the roads.
Now, back to the 2021 stats. The 401,540 total accidents averaged out to around 1,100 wrecks per day. There were 3,454 fatal crashes, which were responsible for 3,741 fatalities. That’s not all, though. In addition, there were 13,435 incapacitating injury incidents that caused 16,826 incapacitating injuries. Meanwhile, as for other injuries, 236,145 came to be following auto accidents across Florida in 2020. And of course, don’t forget collisions that caused property damage only. In 2020, The Sunshine State had 234,130 of them.
Drivers Fail To Use Turn Signals
If you’re looking for reasons why accidents happen in Sarasota, look no further than drivers failing to use turn signals. Some motorists change lanes aggressively and without using their blinkers. Signals tell others on the roadways what a person’s intentions are. Hence, when people don’t flip the lever on the side of their steering column up or down before switching lanes, it’s easy to see how crashes happen.
There are also those who take things a bit further. They elect to turn right or left without signaling. Sometimes, these actions won’t have any consequences. However, on other occasions, rear-end collisions, T-bones, and other types of accidents can occur.
Driving Too Fast
It really doesn’t matter what street you drive on in Sarasota, somebody is probably going to pass you like you’re sitting still at some point. Thus, don’t let this catch you off guard when you’re riding down Fruitville Road, Ringling Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, or another roadway. In addition, it’s best not to push the pedal to the metal to try and keep up with the driver. This is because that could be fatal.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was responsible for claiming 11.258 lives in 2020. This shouldn’t come as a shock, though. The research shows speeding has been liable for almost one-third of all auto accident fatalities in the United States for over two decades.
Getting Distracted Behind The Wheel
It’s no secret that distracted driving is a problem all over America. Distractions come in many different shapes and sizes. Some people get distracted by their radios or passengers. Meanwhile, others have their pets running loose in their cars. They hop in and out of their laps and take their attention away from the task at hand. The list can go on and on, but maybe it’s time for everyone to get a little less distracted because Trusted Choice states distracted driving is responsible for around 50,000 accidents in Florida annually.
Injured in a Sarasota accident because of another driver’s negligence? If so, you could have the grounds to seek compensation for your damages. Would you like to determine if that’s the case? Contact Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh to schedule a free evaluation today.