Car Accidents in Miami

While no one ever plans to be involved in a car accident, such accidents happen all the time. No matter how hard you may try to avoid a crash, chances are you will probably be involved in a car accident at some point in your life. Whether you are a driver, passenger, pedestrian or cyclist, a serious car accident can change the course of your life in an instant. In addition to the medical care needed to treat your injuries immediately after the accident, many car accident victims suffer long-lasting injuries that require ongoing medical care. These injuries can be very painful and may prevent you from returning to work for a very long period, if ever. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a car crash, a Miami car accident lawyer at Brais Law Firm can help. Our attorneys know just how devastating and life-changing serious accidents can be for both victims and their families.We have experienced legal professionals committed to helping you get the financial compensation you need and deserve, including money for your medical bills, pain and suffering and lost wages.

While no amount of money can ever turn back the clock as though the accident never happened, just compensation can provide you with the financial support you need to heal and move forward with your life.

At Brais Law Firm, we understand that car accident victims come to us with many fears and questions. Our firm is here to answers to your questions, and we will guide you through every step of the legal process. We urge you to review the car accident information below and invite you to contact our offices to schedule a free consultation.

  • Statistics on Auto Accidents in Florida- Miami-Dade County and Broward County
  • Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Florida
  • Common Causes of Car Accidents in Miami
  • What You Should Do When You are Involved in a Car Accident in the Miami Area

Statistics on Auto Accidents in Florida: Miami-Dade County and Broward County

Every year, automobile accidents cause more injuries and deaths in the United States than other any type of personal injury accident. Florida is certainly not immune to serious car crashes. In fact, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV), 398,014 traffic crashes took place on Florida roads and highways in 2017. More than 165,000 of these crashes involved injuries and 2,842 resulted in fatalities. In Miami-Dade County alone, 65,526 traffic crashes occurred with 21,454 of these crashes involving injuries and 277 involving fatalities. Broward County recorded 41,314 total crashes in 201, with 16,829 of these crashes involving injuries and 189 resulting in fatalities.

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Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Florida

According to a recent Geotab study based on road fatalities and fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, US-1 in Florida is the most dangerous highway in the United States. The study ranked states based on the fatal crash rates of their most dangerous highways and US-1 had the highest fatal crash rate – 2.8 incidents per million vehicles driven- out of all states. In the last 10 years alone, over 1,000 fatal crashes occurred on the Florida section of US-1. In discussing the Geotab study, a Forbes article also noted that based on fatality crash rates, Florida is home to six out of 10 of the most dangerous roadways in America:

  • U.S-1 (2.78 fatality crash rate/1,011 fatal crashes)
  • US-41 (2.16 fatality crash rate/714 fatal crashes)
  • US-27 (2.13 fatality crash rate/529 fatal crashes
  • US 441(1.77 fatality crash rate/417 fatal crashes)
  • US-17 (1.58 fatality crash rate/387 fatal crashes)
  • US-98 (1.57 fatality crash rate/422 fatal crashes)

In addition to these highways and others, there are many intersections in the Miami-Dade County and Broward County region motorists will recognize as being particularly dangerous. These include:

  • NE First Avenue and NE Sixth Street
  • NE Second Avenue and 36th Street
  • SW 117th Avenue and Kendall Drive
  • SW 117th Avenue and 152nd Street
  • Alton Road and Dade Boulevard in South Beach
  • Sunrise Blvd. and Andrews Ave
  • A1A and Las Olas Blvd.
  • West Oakland Park Blvd. and NW 50th Ave.
  • Atlantic Blvd. and U.S. 1
  • NE 26th St. and Federal Hwy.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Miami

While car accidents can be due to many different factors and behaviors, there are certain causes that are more common than others. These include:

Distracted Driving

Far too many auto accidents are the result of distracted driving. Texting, chatting on a cell phone, eating, daydreaming, fiddling with an entertainment or navigation system, reaching for a dropped object or turning around to adjust a child’s seatbelt are just a few of the everyday activities that can take a driver’s attention away from the road. While many motorists mistakenly believe they can safely “multitask” while driving, the reality is that a person’s brain cannot fully focus on two activities at the same time. When a driver tries to do two things at once, the consequences can be deadly.

Speeding

Every year, tens of thousands of people are killed in speed-related crashes. Speed limits exist for a reason and motorists have a duty to abide by the posted limit. When a motorist is driving above the speed limit, he or she is far less likely to be able to react to other vehicles and changes in road conditions. Speeding can also cause a driver to lose control and crash into other vehicles, medians or other obstacles.

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one of the most irresponsible and dangerous things a person can do. Alcohol and drug-related car accidents happen far too often and tend to result in grave injuries and fatalities. Motorists who get behind the wheel after drinking or taking drugs need to be held responsible for their actions.

Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving is a serious problem in Miami and across the country. When a driver has not slept enough, suffers from an untreated sleep disorder, drinks alcohol or takes drugs, sleep can overtake them before they realize what is happening. Moreover, fatigue or drowsiness slows reaction time, makes drivers less likely to be able to pay attention to the road, and can impact a driver’s judgement and ability to make good decisions.

Reckless Driving

Florida law defines reckless driving as “driving any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” (Florida Statutes 316.192). Drivers in Miami and across the state who speed, weave between lanes, disregard traffic signals and signs, and engage in other unsafe and reckless behaviors cause serious car accidents that can destroy the lives of innocent people in an instant.

Poor Weather Conditions

Heavy rain, fog, high winds and other weather-related conditions can impair visibility and make driving very difficult. When a motorist drives too fast, changes in and out of lanes inappropriately, or otherwise fails to exercise reasonable caution in poor weather conditions, he or she can be held liable should an accident occur.

Tailgating

Tailgating is risky behavior that involves driving too closely behind another vehicle. Unfortunately, many motorists fail to maintain a reasonable driving distance between their car and the vehicle in front of them. If the other vehicle slows down or makes a sudden stop, the driver may not be able to stop in time, which can cause a rear-end collision and, in some cases, result in a chain reaction crash involving multiple vehicles.

Road Rage

Driving on the crowded streets and highways in Miami can be a risky proposition. You never know when a driver’s anger or aggression is going to get out of control causing an accident and/or turning into a verbal or physical attack.Road rage is an increasing problem, not just in Florida, but across the nation. Violent and aggressive driving puts other drivers, passengers, pedestrians and anyone else who may be on or near the road at risk.

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What You Should do When You are Involved in a Car Accident in the Miami Area

When you are involved in a car accident in the Miami area or any other place, there are several things you should do after your accident to ensure that your safety and legal rights are protected:

Stop your Vehicle

Regardless of whether the accident seems to be minor or major, you need to pull off the road and bring your vehicle to a stop.

Call 911

The most important thing to do immediately after an accident occurs is to make sure everyone is okay. Call 911 to get medical help for injured victims.

Call the Police

In addition to calling 911 for emergency medical care, you should request the police to come to the scene and complete an accident report.

Gather Information from the Other Drivers

If you are physically able to do so, gather the names, addresses, phone numbers and insurance information from the other drivers involved in the accident. You should also write down the make, model, year and license plate number of the all vehicles.

Get Contact Information from Eye Witnesses

If there are any people who witnessed the accident or arrived at the scene shortly thereafter, be sure to get their names and contact information.

Take Pictures

If you have access to a cell phone or camera, take pictures of your car and the other vehicles involved in the crash. You should also photograph the scene of the accident, including the intersection, traffic signs and signals, skid marks and road conditions. Photos can help to prove that the other driver was negligent and caused the accident.

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer

While you may be unsure as to whether you need a Miami car accident lawyer after a car crash, it is always a good idea to consult with an attorney to discuss your legal options. Our firm has car accident attorneys in Miami and other locations who offer free consultations to people who have been injured in motor vehicle crashes.Getting in touch with a lawyer experienced in handling automobile accident cases can help you avoid errors and mistakes that can hurt your case down the road.

Work With a Miami Car Accident Lawyer as Soon as Possible

While you might be tempted to try to handle the process on your own, talking with an attorney as soon as possible after a car accident can make a critical difference in the outcome of your case. When you work with our firm, a Miami car accident lawyer will protect your rights and look out for your interests every step of the way. We know how to stand up to difficult insurance companies and we will do everything in our power to help you collect the money you are entitled to. Our lawyers know how to get maximum compensation for our clients, and we are prepared to help victims involved in all types of car accident cases, including:

  • Speeding-related accidents
  • Reckless driving maneuver accidents
  • Distracted driving accidents
  • Drowsy driving and asleep at the wheel accidents
  • Road rage accidents
  • Hit and run accidents
  • Highway accidents
  • Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs accidents
  • Rear end collisions
  • Failure to yield accidents
  • Tailgating collisions
  • Head on collisions
  • T-bone accidents
  • Side impact accidents
  • Intersection accidents
  • Improper lane change collisions
  • Wrong way crashes
  • Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims
  • Vehicle rollover accidents
  • Uber/Lyft accidents
  • Vehicle defect accidents
  • Construction zone accidents
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Schedule a Free Consultation with a Car Accident Lawyer in our Miami Law Offices Today

If you or someone you care about has been injured or killed in a car crash, it is important to seek advice from qualified legal counsel as soon as possible. At Brais Law Firm, we understand just how difficult it can be to deal with the aftermath of a serious accident. Our attorneys are dedicated and compassionate professionals who will aggressively advocate for your rights at each stage of the legal process. When you schedule a consultation, you will meet with an experienced Miami car accident lawyer who will carefully review your car accident case and answer any question that you may have. We want you to feel 100 percent comfortable with your decision to hire us, and we will do everything we can to help you get the compensation to which you are entitled. You can reach our Miami-area auto accident attorneys by calling 800-499-0551 or completing our online contact form. Brais Law Firm is based in Miami, Florida.

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