Florida is renowned around the world for drawing in a thriving tourist trade, and with obvious reason--but it is also becoming renowned for a bad grade in road safety. Visitors and locals can stroll on beautiful beaches near the Gulf or the Atlantic, along with enjoying boating, fishing, having fun at some of the most famous amusement parks in the US, and exploring the rich history of the state. To enjoy Florida fully though, you must inevitably engage in plenty of driving, whether on quaint old back roads or large highways crossing from coast to coast. And unfortunately, some of the Sunshine State’s interstates are now known to be among the deadliest.

If you are familiar with the Florida Keys and have driven up or down U.S. 1 on a beautiful day, it may be hard to imagine it as part of one of the most dangerous highways in Florida; however, recent news points out that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration data shows U.S. 1 at the top of the list in terms of traffic fatalities, with 1,079 deaths in the past ten years on this roadway spanning 530 miles along the East Coast. Hitting the number two spot for fatal crashes is Tampa’s U.S. 41 with 772 deaths on the famous highway over the past decade. U.S. 27 and U.S. 441 are also high on the list for dangerous driving, but I-75 and I-95 are also a major concern as they take the 30^th and 66^th spots in the list of 100.

Numerous types of collisions are responsible for car crashes and the rising death toll on Florida highways, but distracted driving continues to be one of the top reasons for injuries and fatalities due to the temptation to communicate with smartphones or fiddle with other electronics in the car. Classic problems such as speeding, drinking and driving, and other reckless behaviors by negligent motorists continue to result in catastrophe on the roads as well. Florida is also famous for its population of aging drivers, as well as tourists who may have hit the bars and in using bad judgment, drive back to their hotels or other locations under the influence.

Along with tragic fatalities caused due to the negligence of others, car crashes can also cause spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, dislocations, and more—leading thousands to end up in emergency rooms around the US each day. Defensive driving skills are more important than ever, as Florida leads not only in car crash fatalities but pedestrian and bicyclist deaths as well.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident due to the negligence of another motorist? Call our office for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys. We handle all types of Florida personal injury cases, and our law firm has established an impressive record of verdicts and settlements. If you have been seriously injured, call us now at 941-748-2916 or contact us online. We are here to help!