Car accidents are an unfortunate reality on Florida’s roads, with an average of 400,000 incidents each year. The vast majority of these accidents occur for the same few reasons, and understanding the main causes is crucial for improving road safety.

1. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading contributors to car accidents in Florida, and if you’ve been the victim of one such incident, be sure to contact a Boynton Beach car accident lawyer as quickly as you can. As we spend more and more time on our smartphones and other electronic devices, our attention is increasingly being pulled from the road, whether that’s to check a text, make a call, or scroll through social media.

These distractions lead to dramatically reduced reaction times that account for as many as 1 in 7 of all accidents in Florida. The state has implemented laws to combat this issue, such as banning texting while driving, but the problem persists due to the widespread reliance on technology.

2. Speeding

Speeding is another common cause of car accidents in Florida. High speeds reduce the time available to react to sudden changes on the road, such as an obstacle or a stopped vehicle. In Florida, where weather conditions can change rapidly, especially during the rainy season, speeding can turn a routine drive into a fatal event. In 2022, speeding accounted for 29% of all driving fatalities across the United States, and sadly, Florida is right up there for the worst-performing states.

3. Drunk Driving

According to recent statistics, there were 5,262 car accidents in Florida caused by drunk driving, with 617 caused by driving under the influence of drugs. Alcohol or drugs remains a persistent threat on Florida’s roads. Despite extensive public awareness campaigns and strict legal consequences, drunk driving continues to be a leading cause of car accidents in the state.

We probably don’t need to delve too much into why this causes accidents – it’s fairly obvious – but this continues to be a major issue throughout the state, especially in areas with a significant concentration of bars and entertainment venues.

4. Weather Conditions

Florida’s weather can be unpredictable. One minute, you’re sunbathing on Miami Beach and the next, one of those vicious tropical storms barrels in off the Caribbean. Hurricane season can be particularly nasty, with memories of Charley’s devasting path of destruction through the state still fresh in the memory 20 years on.

Sudden rainstorms create hazardous conditions that many drivers are unprepared to handle. Wet roads reduce tire traction, increase stopping distances, and can lead to hydroplaning. Additionally, fog and heavy rain can severely reduce visibility, making it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead or react to sudden changes in traffic patterns.

Vehicle accidents are common in Florida, but that doesn’t mean they have to be. By understanding the main causes, we can all do our part to make the state’s roads, whether big or small, safer places to drive.  Drivers must take personal responsibility by avoiding distractions, adhering to speed limits, refraining from drinking and driving, and adjusting their driving to weather conditions.

If you’re a victim, contact a lawyer as soon as possible; it’s highly likely you’ll be due some kind of compensation.