Drivers in Florida should watch out for these typical blunders. To learn more, keep reading.
Avoid this typical blunder when driving in Florida: not using your turn signals correctly. Pedestrians have the right-of-way, but many vehicles don’t recognize this and don’t slow down for them. During peak hours, be extra vigilant about sharing the road with other cars and pedestrians. Tailgating a vehicle that doesn’t stop for you is a no-no. This is one of the most common causes of mishaps.
You might prevent accidents when driving in Florida by following these recommendations, saving yourself and others from losing everything. In addition to these typical reasons, there are other techniques to avoid crashes.
You may well have a safe and happy driving experience if you follow these suggestions to learn the law.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of car accidents in Florida. Statistics show that Florida drivers are involved in more than 50,000 crashes per year due to distracted driving, second only to driving under alcohol or drugs.
Distracted driving causes more than half of these crashes, with over three thousand people being seriously injured every year. While texting while driving is illegal in Florida, other distracted driving forms are different.
- The penalties for texting while driving in Florida are steep, and you could lose everything. You could face up to a $30 fine for a first offense.
- But if you’re able to prove you’ve used a hands-free device, you might be able to avoid a conviction.
- In the event of a second violation, you could face a fine of $60 to one hundred dollars and three points on your license.
Car accidents in Florida are often caused by distracted driving. According to the NHTSA, distracted driving is the cause of more than 2,800 accidents per year.
- Texting and driving is now a significant crime in Florida, while it was formerly an infraction.
- Anyone found texting while driving is subject to a fine from the police. Texting while driving is a poor idea, but Florida has enacted a prohibition.
Intoxicated Driving
Aside from distracted driving, it is also a criminal offense to drive under the influence. Florida drivers are penalized by the state for driving under the influence, and their licenses can be suspended for six months or even a year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 3,000 car accidents in Florida occurred in 2017 due to drivers distracted by cell phones or other forms of technology.
Intoxicated driving leads to accidents and is one of the most common causes of rear-end collisions. More than half of all fatal accidents in Florida involve a driver under drugs or alcohol.
- Drivers should follow safe driving practices. Calling someone while driving may be dangerous, so it’s best to pull over to the side of the road and answer your phone instead of using a hands-free device.
- Don’t drive after too much drinking. Don’t get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. Designating a sober driver, calling an Uber, or staying over at a friend’s home are viable options if you’ve had a few drinks. Traffic in Florida is notoriously slow, so get there early to avoid being stranded. One of the leading causes of accidents is driving under alcohol, a severe crime. In 2010, alcohol was the cause of 17,748 car accidents in Florida.
- Distracted driving may be exacerbated by using a cell phone. Talking on a mobile phone while driving is not against the law in Florida, but it is distracting to other road users; texting while driving, on the other hand, is a crime.
- Social media is just as hazardous. When driving, social media networks like Facebook and Twitter are just as risky as they are when not. It is just as dangerous to send a Snapchat ‘Story’ to SMS. Try not to check your phone for alerts or record yourself on your phone while you’re driving.
Slick Roads
While driving in Florida, you must follow specific guidelines to avoid car accidents. It is essential for everyone to learn how their car operates, including seatbelts, mirrors, and how the car handles in different weather conditions.
- Drive with care. Driving carefully is one of the most excellent strategies to prevent vehicle accidents in Florida. Drivers in Florida should be conscious of their right of way and always yield to vehicles in front of them. Using the proper signal to prevent accidents and significant/minor body injury or neck pain.
- Yielding to pedestrians and bikes. Other traffic restrictions in Florida that drivers should be aware of include yielding to pedestrians and bicycles. Drivers are encouraged to Focus on Driving by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
- Road Debris. Another danger you can encounter is road debris. The Florida Department of Transportation reports one accident every day due to debris. This debris can be anything from a tire tread to a huge cardboard box. This can be deadly. Debris on the road is not only a hazard for motorists, but it can also result in serious personal injury or even death. To avoid car accidents in Florida, it is vital to take care of road debris before getting onto the road.
- Distractions. Other risks of car accidents include distractions. Distractions such as texting, phone calls, and eating may prevent you from focusing on the road and avoiding car accidents. If you are distracted, you can miss a turn or hit another vehicle.
Avoid these dangerous behaviours while driving in Florida, or you could lose everything. Just be sure to follow the speed limit posted on the road. You don’t want to cause a severe car accident that costs you everything you have.
Uninsured Or Underinsured Motorist Coverage
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage is a good idea if you’re concerned about the cost of a medical bill from an accident. This coverage will pay for your medical expenses and other damages incurred in the accident. It’s a great way to avoid the financial burden of an accident. In addition to being the victim of an accident, underinsured motorist coverage will help you recover from any financial losses.
- Many insurance companies will offer ‘full coverage auto insurance, but that doesn’t necessarily include uninsured or underinsured motorist protection. While it’s important to have adequate coverage in case of an accident, ‘full coverage’ refers only to the minimum required by Florida law. Even though this coverage is essential, it does not guarantee that you will be compensated if an uninsured driver injures you.
- Personal injury protection insurance may be supplemented with uninsured or underinsured car coverage. If an uninsured motorist hurts you, this insurance covers your medical bills. Most states require all drivers to have insurance, but Florida is one of the few that does not. A collision with an underinsured driver may benefit you, so be sure you have it. You may use underinsured motorist coverage to assist you in getting reimbursement from the uninsured driver if you have it.
Homestead Exemption
There are several methods to be safe when driving in Florida and not have your life shattered.
- Staying attentive is one of the simplest methods. At junctions, there are many accidents. Always look both ways before crossing the street. Reduce your speed or come to a halt.
- Slow down before approaching an intersection. Cars behind you and people crossing the road must also be considered. The other motorist has the right of way, and you must always give it to them.
Comparative Fault Rule
In Florida, this rule is called the comparative fault rule. It works by giving the person at fault a lower percentage of the total damages. For example, if the plaintiff is 90 percent at fault for the accident, she is entitled to 60 percent of the actual injuries. If both drivers are at fault, she will get only half the compensation she was awarded initially.
You have probably heard about the Comparative Fault Rule and wonder how you can use it to avoid car accidents. It is a legal concept that determines who is liable for an accident based on the percentage of fault each party bears.
While pure comparative negligence allows all parties to collect damages, slight-gross comparative negligence only will enable people to collect damages if they were just a little bit negligent. This means that anyone who contributes to an accident cannot sue the other person for damages if they are partially at fault.
The difference between the rules of the Comparative Fault Rule and the pure comparative negligence rule is the percentage of blame assigned to each party.
- If the other party is more than half at fault, the plaintiff would be able to recover only half of the medical expenses.
- The other party will be able to recover the rest of the medical bills based on her percentage of fault.
- However, if the other party were more than half at fault, the plaintiff would still be able to collect only one-fifth of the medical bills.
Bottom-line
On Florida’s highways, drivers who fail to yield are a severe danger. It would help if you yielded to approaching vehicles or pedestrians in a crosswalk while turning left on a green signal. Florida vehicle accident victims should call an attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation.
At Ovadia Law Group, we are here to protect you and assist in your pursuit of just compensation. Get in touch with Ovadia Law Group to learn about your legal options if you have been injured in a vehicle accident. To prevent automobile accidents when driving in Florida, avoid the most typical causes of these mishaps. Examples are drug usage, alcohol use, sloppy roads, and inattentive driving.
If you need to speak with a car accident lawyer right now, call 1-800-674-9396. We will guide you with an attorney from Ovadia Law Group who will help you get the money you need to cover your medical costs and other expenses. Attorneys that focus on auto insurance law can assist you in your battle against these tactics.
