The majority of Florida car accidents are caused by negligent drivers who become distracted, ignore traffic laws, or otherwise behave in a way that jeopardizes the safety of their fellow road users. Floridians should be aware of the most common dangerous driving habits to better protect themselves from being injured in a serious car accident. 

If you have been injured by a reckless driver in a Florida car accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your damages in an auto accident lawsuit. The car accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis are highly-qualified negotiators who will go above and beyond to ensure that you receive a fair settlement. Our team is available to schedule a free consultation when you contact us at (561) 678-0156 or reach out to our offices in Boca Raton or Orlando. 

1. Speeding

One of the most common traffic violations is speeding. Speeding is also a contributing factor in about a third of fatal Florida car accidents. It allows you less distance to react to a yellow light turning red, a child chasing a ball into the street, the car in front of you stopping suddenly, or any other interruption to the flow of traffic. Drivers who speed are also reducing the potential efficacy of structures, such as guardrails, that are intended to minimize the damage in a car crash. It should also be noted that even if you are technically observing the speed limit, you should consider other conditions that would indicate you should reduce your speed, such as the weather.

2. Road Rage

Two thirds of fatal traffic accidents are attributable to road rage, according to statistics from the NHTSA. By the NHTSA’s definition, road rage exceeds aggressive driving behaviors to become criminal in nature. In order for a driver’s actions to qualify as road rage, their actions must endanger people or property. For example, one driver using their vehicle to run another driver off the road, intentionally rear-ending another car, or brandishing and firing a weapon towards another road user.

3. Distracted Driving

The three main categories of distracted driving are manual, cognitive, and visual. Manual distractions are those that take your hands away from the wheel or your feet off the pedals. Examples of manual distractions include using your hands to eat a sandwich, reaching for something that fell, or taking your foot off the pedal to slip off your shoe. 

Cognitive distractions occur when your mental focus is not on the road and the traffic around you. This includes daydreaming or talking on the phone. Visual distractions take your eyes off the road, and the most common ones are rubbernecking an accident scene, trying to read a text message, or searching for an item in your car. Distracted driving killed over 300 people in Florida in 2021, and contributed to about 1,000 car accidents a week across the state.

4. Driving Under the Influence

In Florida, 0.08 BAC is the legal limit for drivers. However, even at lower levels of intoxication, a driver’s decision-making ability, vision, and coordination are negatively impacted. Drunk driving is highly dangerous because all the mistakes you might normally make while sober may still happen, but a drunk driver is much less likely to be able to correct them in time to avoid a collision. Drunk drivers may ignore traffic laws, maneuver recklessly, and generally endanger everyone in their path.

5. Tailgating 

A driver who follows the car in front of them too closely in an effort to get them to speed up or turn faster is said to be tailgating. Tailgating is often a factor in rear-end car accidents, as the lack of space between vehicles makes it difficult for the following vehicle to react to the first car slowing down or stopping. Tailgating can also motive the lead car to brake check the car that is following them too closely. However, the tailgating car may be unable to slam on their brakes in time to avoid a collision, and the driver of the lead vehicle may share liability with the tailgating driver due to Florida’s comparative negligence law.

Other Dangerous Habits That Can Cause a Car Accident

Common causes of car accidents are most often attributed to negligent drivers. In addition to the dangerous habits outlined above, other behaviors that increase the risk of a car accident include:

• Drowsy driving
• Driving a poorly maintained vehicle
• Neglecting to use turn signals
• Forgoing a seatbelt
• Merging or passing incorrectly
• Failing to check your blindspots
• Rubbernecking 

Practice Defensive Driving to Prevent an Auto Accident

Defensive driving is a strategy to avoid being involved in a car accident. It includes anticipating potential road hazards, navigating damaged roads and adverse weather conditions, and avoiding reckless drivers. A few key preventative measures include driving sober, following traffic laws, avoiding distractions, and being observant of the changing road conditions around you.

Why Should I Choose Osborne & Francis to Represent Me?

In the wake of a serious car accident, you need a reliable, skilled negotiator to represent your interests. The auto accident attorneys of Osborne & Francis have tenaciously sought compensation on behalf of our injured clients for almost a decade with outstanding results.

We have earned a reputation for success based on our work ethic, tenacity, and strategic approach to negotiating. Clients trust us to involve them in the claims process, treat them with respect, and secure a fair settlement for their damages. Our team will listen to your story, conduct an investigation to gather evidence, engage experts to support your claim, and doggedly pursue the maximum compensation possible for your car accident claim.

Contact Osborne & Francis if You’re Involved in a Car Accident

Being involved in a serious car accident can disrupt your life. You may be overwhelmed by the process of filing a personal injury lawyer while you recover, which is why you should hire a car accident lawyer to manage the administrative responsibilities that come with filing a claim and take the lead in negotiations. 

As your personal injury lawyers, you can expect that our team at Osborne & Francis will make every effort to ensure that you walk away with a settlement that is reflective of your damages. Our team is not afraid of taking your claim to trial in the event that the defendant’s representatives are unwilling to offer a fair settlement that compensates your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

At Osborne & Francis, our car accident lawyers are committed to maximizing your compensation because we understand that your family’s financial future and quality of life may depend on it. You can reach out to us at (561) 678-0156 or contact our offices in Boca Raton or Orlando to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to helping you recover the compensation you deserve in a car accident lawsuit.