In a densely populated and heavily trafficked urban area like Miami, you expect that the number of car accidents would be somewhat high. However, statistics from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) are still shocking. Of the 401,500 motor vehicle crashes that take place in the state every year, almost 128,800 – around one-third – occur in South Florida. There are approximately 850 people killed in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties, and almost 67,000 victims sustained injuries ranging from minor to severe.
No one wants to be involved in an auto accident, but there are some that lead to worse consequences than others. Physics, speed, road, weather conditions, and many other factors may result in crashes that are noteworthy due to the devastation they tend to cause. You should always rely on qualified legal help for your claim, but make it a priority to consult with a Miami car accidents lawyer if you were hurt because of the following:
- Wrong-Way Crashes: When someone is driving against the flow of traffic, you can imagine the tragic results. Often, these accidents are the result of a drunk driver entering a highway from the exit ramp or driving the wrong way down a one-way street. However, elderly motorists and those from out-of-town can also become confused by signage, leading to wrong-way driving.
- Head-On Auto Accidents: By their nature, wrong-way collisions often involve frontal impacts for both vehicles. Still, there are other causes of head-on crashes, especially when careless drivers make illegal lane changes or turns. These accidents tend to be catastrophic because the energy and force of impact are compounded.
- T-Bone Collisions: The term for this type of accident comes from the shape the vehicles make upon impact: One auto strikes the side of another at a perpendicular angle. One of the most common causes of T-bones is when a driver misjudges timing when making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic.
- Sideswipes: These accidents are similar to a T-bone, except that the angle of impact is not perpendicular. Instead, one vehicle slides across the side length of the other. Occupants in the front and rear are at risk of serious injuries.
- Vehicle Rollovers: In a high-speed accident or one involving vehicles of vastly different sizes, rollovers are possible. The primary threat to occupants in the rolling car is being ejected.
- Underride Accidents: This type of crash occurs when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a higher-profile vehicle like a truck. Underride collisions are especially horrific, as they tend to cause the top portion of the car to be sheared off. Occupants are at risk of decapitation.
Contact Our Miami Car Accidents Attorneys for Legal Help
For more information on how Gerson & Schwartz, PA, supports your legal needs after a motor vehicle crash, please contact our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL. You can set up a no-cost case review by calling (305) 371-6000 or visiting our website. We can provide personalized advice after reviewing the details of your case.