Danger can find you on any of Florida’s roads. Yet, some roads in our state have proven themselves more dangerous than others. Although you might be unable to avoid some of these treacherous roads, being cognizant of them can lead to greater awareness and stronger defensive driving.
Florida’s most dangerous roads
As of the writing of this post, nearly 240,000 car accidents have occurred in Florida in 2023 alone. Nearly 2,000 of those wrecks have proven fatal, and nearly 100,000 have resulted in injuries, the latter of which has resulted in more than 150,000 injuries. As you can see, then, Florida is a dangerous place to drive. But here are some of the most dangerous roadways:
- US-19 in Pasco County: This stretch of road between San Marco Drive to Denton Avenue is identified by some to be the deadliest in Florida, with 28 deaths in the less than five-mile stretch in one year alone.
- I-75: This interstate spans the length of the state, so it would make sense that it sees a lot of accidents. But this roadway has a significantly higher accident rate, with wrecks in Alachua County and surrounding areas seeing as much as a 90% higher accident rate compared to the state average.
- I-4: Many consider this interstate to be the most dangerous in the state, with two accident fatalities per mile. Several of these accidents are attributable to distraction and congestion, especially given I-4’s proximity to Disney World.
- US-41: This highway near Tampa has seen hundreds of deaths over the last decade, and some sections have accumulated as many as four accidents per mile. Congestion is an issue on this road, but so, too, are stretches of limited visibility, which increases the risk of being involved in a multi-vehicle accident.
- I-95: On the Atlantic side of the state, I-95 sees more than its fair share of car accidents. This is partially attributable to lack of guardrails in large sections of the interstate, but speeding is also a major issue on this road, contributing to many of the tragic wrecks seen here.
There are many other dangerous roads across our state. Which one do you think is the most dangerous?
Regardless of how you answer that question, one thing is sure: you’re never entirely safe when you’re out on the road. Therefore, you have to take it upon yourself to stay safe. This means implementing defensive driving behaviors and knowing how to react when danger presents itself.
But what do you do if you’re injured on one of Florida’s dangerous roadways?
First, you need to focus on securing medical care and getting the right supports in place to further your recovery. Then, you can focus on building a personal injury lawsuit.
When you build your claim, keep in mind that you’ll need as much evidence as possible to support your argument for compensation. Take pictures of the accident scene and your injuries, obtain police reports and medical records, and talk to witnesses who saw your accident and experts who can speak to causation as well as the extent of your damages.
By thoroughly preparing your case, you’ll be better suited to recover what you’re owed. Hopefully then you’ll have the financial resources and the closure that you need to focus on your health and your future.