In 2012, Florida experienced 281,340 traffic accidents involving 468,470 drivers, resulting in 2,430 fatalities, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. While some of these accidents were caused by unknown or unpredictable factors, the majority of them were preventable and occurred as a result of driver error.
Below are the top 10 car accident causes in Florida in 2012, based on initial driver action. If you were injured in a car accident in Fort Lauderdale, seek help from the car accident lawyers at Chalik & Chalik.
1. Operating a Motor Vehicle in a Careless or Negligent Manner
Number one of the car accident causes was the operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that could be considered careless or negligent. This is a broad category and might include disobeying traffic laws, driving aggressively, distracted driving, and more. Operating a vehicle in a careless or negligent manner accounted for over 50,000 injury crashes and 651 fatal accidents.
2. Failing to Yield to Right of Way
Failing to properly yield and give another vehicle the right of way was responsible for nearly 23,000 injury crashes in Florida. It also caused 404 fatal accidents.
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(855) 529-02693. Following Too Closely
This is a source of road rage for some or a result of road rage in some cases. In 2012, tailgating was responsible for over 7,000 injury crashes in Florida, as well as 12 fatal accidents.
4. Running a Red Light
Everyone knows that running a red light is extremely dangerous, and in Florida, running a red light was the initial action that caused 4,803 injury accidents. Furthermore, running a red light caused 51 fatal crashes.
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5. Driving Too Fast for Conditions
Driving too fast for current conditions – whether based on weather, a construction zone, or something else – was the initial action in over 3,000 injury accidents and 86 fatal accidents in 2012.
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(855) 529-02696. Failing to Keep in the Proper Lane
Failing to keep in the proper lane was number six among the car accident causes in 2012, accounting for 2,874 injury accidents and 112 fatal accidents.
7. Improper Turning
Making an improper turn is one of the most dangerous things a motorist can do, as improper turning caused 2,755 injury crashes and 36 fatal accidents.
8. Improper Backing
Improper backing caused 2,268 injury crashes as well as 30 fatal crashes. It was among the biggest property damage-only car accident causes as well, accounting for 7,484 of such accidents.
9. Running a Stop Sign
There were 2,201 injury accidents in 2012 related to running a stop sign, as well as 42 fatal accidents.
10. Ran Off Roadway
Rounding out the 10 leading car accident causes in Florida in 2012 was ran-off-roadway accidents. These made up 2,106 injury crashes as well as 125 fatal crashes.
Many Cases Have Unknown Initial Contributing Driver Action
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles also reported that the initial driver action in the accident was unknown in nearly 15,000 injury accidents, and in nearly 14,000 injury accidents was attributed to other contributing actions.
Seek Legal Counsel to Investigate the Causes of the Car Accident
Florida requires seeking initial medical care within 14 days and the PIP and liability insurance laws can be confusing and frustrating. Further, you must file any car accident injury claims within the statute of limitations.
If you’ve been in an accident caused by another motorist’s negligent actions, hire an attorney to help you file a personal injury claim. Your lawyer can review possible car accident causes and help collect evidence to establish fault. To speak with an attorney at Chalik & Chalik, call us today at 855-529-0269 or use the form on our contact page to set up your consultation.
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