There were thirteen people and an unborn child killed in recent car accidents in South Florida. What’s most alarming about these fatalities is that they all happened within a 24-hour period.
According to The Miami Herald, the deadliest accident killed four people in Miami-Dade in an accident on the Gratigny Expressway.
As we recently reported on our South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog, these fatalities included a mother and her unborn child. The woman was in a cabana at her hotel when a vehicle left the road and ran directly into it.
Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers understand that there were two more people killed by a hit-and-run driver on the shoulder of Florida’s turnpike. This accident happened in the middle of the day — the two were killed attempting to change a tire on the side of the road. With the height of tourist season being right now, risks for car accidents in the South Florida have skyrocketed!
Broward County was included in these fatal accidents, too. A parishioner was ran over and dragged through a church parking lot. There was also a 14-year-old kid killed as he was skateboarding. Lastly, a 5-year-old girl was killed in a hit-and-run accident.
In total, there were six fatalities in Miami-Dade, three in Palm Beach County and four in Broward.
Florida deals with a fluctuation in roadway traffic year round. Right now we’re dealing with Spring Breakers and visitors from throughout the country. With these travelers, we see increased risks for accidents. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles(FLHSMV), nearly 240,000 car accidents happened in the state of Florida in 2010. There were nearly 200,000 people who were injured and another 2,445 people who were killed in these accidents. In 2010, there were more alcohol-related car accidents than the year before. The number of pedestrian fatalities also increased during this time. That’s not all. There were more bicyclists killed and motorcycle passengers killed during this time than the year before. The number of teen drivers killed remained the same from 2009 to 2010.
Drivers are asked to be safe on our roadways and to follow these few simple safety tips to help to avoid an accident:
-Always wear a seat belt. Make sure passengers are buckled up, too!
-Avoid using cell phones and text messaging devices behind the wheel.
-Keep your windshield clean to maximize vision.
-Never drink and drive.
-Never ride with the gas tank on E. Keep it at least half full.
-Always obey road signs, including stop signs, traffic lights and speed limit postings.
-Never tailgate other vehicles.
-Keep music at a reasonable volume.
-Keep chitchat with passengers to a minimum.
-Avoid using cruise control.
-Be cautious and slowdown in shoddy weather.
-Be a courteous driver at all times.
If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a car accident in a car accident in Belle Glade, North Lauderdale, Miami or elsewhere in South Florida, the South Florida injury lawyers at Freeman & Mallard can help you understand your rights and are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Call 1-800-561-7777 to schedule a free and confidential review of your case.
More Blog Entries:
MAP-21 to Help Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Fellsmere and Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, March 23, 2012
Risks for Car Accidents in Wilton Manors and Elsewhere Increased with Florida’s Legislative Neglect, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, March 21, 2012