Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
Motorists get concerned with good cause when they share the roadway with another driver who speeds, drives distracted, or drives aggressively. These behaviors are considered reckless and are among the leading causes of car accidents in Port St. Lucie, Palm Beach and elsewhere in the state.
The Miami Herald recently reported about a fatal accident involving a teen driver who was driving recklessly; dangerous driving behavior allegedly determined the fate of three young passengers riding in the vehicle with him.
Luckily, no innocent bystanders were injured or killed as a result of the reckless act. One passenger was trapped inside the vehicle while two others were ejected in the crash. All three passengers died at the scene after a 19-year-old driving a Honda Civic lost control and sped into a concrete pole. The driver left the scene and later turned himself in but was charged with fleeing and three counts of vehicular homicide. It is believed the crash occurred while street racing with another vehicle.
Our St. Lucie car accident attorneys want to urge victims of a reckless driving accident to contact an experienced attorney. Learning your options from a dedicated law firm can help victims make informed decisions about getting compensation that is rightfully deserved.
In 2009, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported a total of 235,778 traffic crashes which equated to approximately 646 crashes per day on average throughout the state.
There were 2,563 deaths from car crashes in 2009 and more than 197,000 injuries sustained in Florida car accidents. Almost 20 percent of fatal crashes and just fewer than 40 percent of injuries were caused by reckless driving. More than 200 fatalities were caused by a speed-related accident.
The following are examples of reckless driving behavior:
-Changing lanes swiftly with little or no warning.
-Pulling out in front of a vehicle that has the right of way.
-Pretending to be on a speedway race track on city roads or major highways.
-Turning corners at full speed.
-Showing no regard for bicyclists, pedestrians or other motorists using the same roadway by acting like you own the roadway.
-Rolling through stop signs without stopping or blatantly running a red light.
Motorists should report reckless driving behavior in order to protect themselves and other drivers from being involved in a car accident. Even though using a cell phone while you drive is still permitted in our state, it is never recommended. Report a reckless driver by pulling into a safe spot to dial 9-1-1. Give police officials as much information as possible, like model and make of car, license plate number, the direction the vehicle is heading, and the location in which you are calling from. Reporting a reckless act could save a life.
If you have been injured by a careless act of another driver in Miami, West Palm Beach, Margate or Port St. Lucie, contact the car accident attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC, for a free consultation to discuss your claim. Call 1-800-561-7777 to make an appointment today.
Additional Resources:
3 killed in apparent racing crash, by Associated Press, The Miami Herald.
Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents Rank Number 1 in the Nation, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 22, 2011.
Summer Car Accidents in Fort Lauderdale Expected to See Steep Increase, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 25, 2011.
Driver Inattention Can Cause Serious Injuries in Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents, > Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 21, 2011.