What Causes The Most Serious Auto Collisions In Sarasota?

Obviously, there are tons of things that can cause wrecks across Sarasota. However, just because something goes down this way during this event doesn’t mean that’s what will happen with the next one and so on. That is because the circumstances of every collision are different. Therefore, if you get into an incident, don’t be surprised if its cause is something different than those listed here.

Stay tuned to learn about some of the common reasons why accidents happen in the Sarasota area. But first, let’s see how many crashes really occur in The Sunshine State. Then, you won’t merely be taking our word for it that the streets here can be dangerous.

FLHSMV Crash Fact

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Florida accounted for 401,540 codeable crashes in 2021. That number was up from 341,399 just the year before in 2020. However, the hefty jump was likely because the pandemic was in full swing in 2020, and lots of people were staying home instead of running the roads.

Now, back to the 2021 stats. The 401,540 total accidents averaged out to around 1,100 wrecks per day. There were 3,454 fatal crashes, which were responsible for 3,741 fatalities. That’s not all, though. In addition, there were 13,435 incapacitating injury incidents that caused 16,826 incapacitating injuries. Meanwhile, as for other injuries, 236,145 came to be following auto accidents across Florida in 2020. And of course, don’t forget collisions that caused property damage only. In 2020, The Sunshine State had 234,130 of them.

Drivers Fail To Use Turn Signals

If you’re looking for reasons why accidents happen in Sarasota, look no further than drivers failing to use turn signals. Some motorists change lanes aggressively and without using their blinkers. Signals tell others on the roadways what a person’s intentions are. Hence, when people don’t flip the lever on the side of their steering column up or down before switching lanes, it’s easy to see how crashes happen.

There are also those who take things a bit further. They elect to turn right or left without signaling. Sometimes, these actions won’t have any consequences. However, on other occasions, rear-end collisions, T-bones, and other types of accidents can occur.

Driving Too Fast

It really doesn’t matter what street you drive on in Sarasota, somebody is probably going to pass you like you’re sitting still at some point. Thus, don’t let this catch you off guard when you’re riding down Fruitville Road, Ringling Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, or another roadway. In addition, it’s best not to push the pedal to the metal to try and keep up with the driver. This is because that could be fatal.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding was responsible for claiming 11.258 lives in 2020. This shouldn’t come as a shock, though. The research shows speeding has been liable for almost one-third of all auto accident fatalities in the United States for over two decades.

Getting Distracted Behind The Wheel

It’s no secret that distracted driving is a problem all over America. Distractions come in many different shapes and sizes. Some people get distracted by their radios or passengers. Meanwhile, others have their pets running loose in their cars. They hop in and out of their laps and take their attention away from the task at hand. The list can go on and on, but maybe it’s time for everyone to get a little less distracted because Trusted Choice states distracted driving is responsible for around 50,000 accidents in Florida annually.

Injured in a Sarasota accident because of another driver’s negligence? If so, you could have the grounds to seek compensation for your damages. Would you like to determine if that’s the case? Contact Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh to schedule a free evaluation today.

4 Tips for Hiring a Lawyer Following a Sarasota Trucking Accident

An accident involving a large truck in Sarasota has its own set of problems. These claims are often more extensive because large truck accidents result in more serious injuries and significant damages.

According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles in 2020, there were:

• More than 101,000 injury crashes involving large trucks
• 107,000 large trucks involved in injury crashes
• 147,000 persons injured in large truck crashes
• 302,141 million miles that were traveled in larger trucks

Between 2019 and 2020, the amount of large trucks involved in fatal accidents actually decreased by 4 percent. Additionally, the amount of larger trucks that are involved in property damage-only crashes decreased by 21 percent.

However, despite the decline in numbers, the amount of miles large trucks cover daily, and the risks involved can still result in serious and catastrophic accidents along Florida roadways.

If you have been involved in an accident with a large truck, you want to ensure you have the right representation. Here are our tips for hiring a personal injury attorney to help with your Sarasota truck accident claim.

1. Find an Attorney That Understands Florida Law

Trucking accidents can prove to be complex due to federal and state laws. According to Florida Statute 316.302, there are governing rules and regulations that owners and drivers of commercial vehicles on public roads must follow.

For example, for interstate travel, the driver must be over 21 years old. A truck company can only hire drivers who are fluent in English and who can read and understand road signs, write reports, and communicate with officials. Also, all drivers must carry a valid CDL license and have a safe driving history.

2. Find an Attorney Experienced With Trucking Accidents

As with any other accident case, the injured party in a large trucking accident can also seek compensation for injuries and damages. You can pursue compensation for medical bills, surgery, rehab fees, lost income, loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, wrongful death, and mental anguish, among others.

In more extreme cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages if you can prove that the other party acted to intentionally cause harm. This is also known as acting in bad faith.

3. Find an Attorney With the Financial Resources to Handle These

ClaimsTrucking accidents often require expert testimony and investigations into what could have happened in the case of the truck malfunctioning. An attorney with the right financial resources and expert knowledge can easily handle these cases and use their network of expert witnesses and professional investigators to help prove the details of your claim.

4. Find an Attorney Who Stays in Touch

When you are dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident and are in the middle of a complex claim, you want a personal injury attorney who communicates with you every step of the way. You don’t want to be kept in the dark regarding your case.

Some people want to have daily updates and discussions that detail the process, while others just want to touch base regularly to review facts and get an update. However, if you wish to proceed, you want to ensure your personal injury attorney is on board with your wants and needs.

As you can see, the right personal injury attorney in Sarasota can ultimately save your case. They have the experience and resources to proceed with a commercial trucking accident case. They ensure there is an investigation into the collision to determine who should be held liable and will keep you in the loop about everything regarding your case.