According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, approximately 360 lives are lost each year in wrong-way collisions. Due to the speeds that are generally involved, the head-on nature of most wrong-way collisions, these kinds of collisions can be the most serious that occur. After reviewing statistics from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the NHTSA revealed that of the 1,566 wrong-way drivers, 1,111 had alcohol in their system. 684 drivers had what was considered to be extremely high blood-alcohol levels at above 0.15%. Only 29% of wrong-way accidents involved drivers who were not under the influence.
NBC Miami reports that a police car was involved in a crash on Don Shula Expressway in Miami-Dade County. The crash occurred on Friday and involved a Volkswagen sedan and a marked Miami-Dade police car and a Jeep Renegade.
The Volkswagen sedan was heading the wrong way in the southbound lanes of the Don Shula Expressway. It crashed head-on into a marked Miami-Dade police vehicle. The Volkswagen then ricocheted into a white Jeep Renegade.
The driver of the Volkswagen was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The officer in the police vehicle and two people from the Jeep were taken to the hospital. Their condition was reported as stable.
The crash shut down all lanes of the expressway.
The Palm Beach Post reported that a pedestrian is dead after being struck by a driver in West Palm Beach early Saturday morning. The weekend was full of tragedy as another man lost his life in a separate fatal accident Sunday evening. According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, a West Palm Beach man...
In 2017, Florida saw an alarming 402,385 auto accidents. This number averages out to be about 1,098 crashes per day. There was a total of 686,590 people injured in these accidents. Furthermore, 42.13% of these accidents resulted in an injury that needed medical attention and killed 3,116 people. Florida is one of the few states...
Florida has strict laws and very serious penalties for people who choose not to stop for a law enforcement officer. The crime is broken down into several different circumstances, such as general fleeing and eluding, fleeing and eluding with lights and sirens activated, fleeing and eluding with reckless driving, and fleeing and eluding with high...
Because police chases can cause extensive property damage and frequently end with innocent victims being hurt, most police departments have strict policies in place regarding pursuits. These polices govern when a police officer may initiate a pursuit. For example, some departments will only initiate a pursuit in cases where law enforcement officers believe that a...
Tire Tread Separation Causes and Prevention
A tread is the rubber on the outer circumference of a tire that makes contact with the road and provides traction. Tire tread separation occurs when the tread becomes separated from the casing or body of the tire. Most cars, trucks, vans and SUVs on the roads today use steel-belted tire tread technology, which is...
The Pros and Cons of New Auto-Digital Technologies
Google is investing a lot of time and money in auto-digital technologies, working toward making cars of the future a current-day reality. It has co-founded the Open Automotive Alliance (OAA), an industry group that includes car manufacturers working to integrate computer technologies (specifically Android) into automotive systems. Car-Based Software and the Open Automotive Alliance By...
Florida Ranks Highest for Crashes Involving Drowning
Any car accident is dangerous, but one few people consider is driving into a body of water. According to a November 8, 2014 article in the Orlando Sentinel, more people drown in cars in Florida than in any other state. Car Accident Drownings Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites Florida as the...
Can injured pregnant women benefit from care at trauma centers?
Around 8 percent of expectant mothers suffer traumatic injuries such as fractures and open wounds that typically arise from falls or car accidents. A recent study has suggested pregnant women who sustain traumatic injuries may experience better outcomes when treated at trauma centers instead of non-trauma hospitals. According to research published in the Journal of...
What Is the Penalty for a Hit and Run in Florida?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) explains the potential penalties for a hit and run in Florida. They are as follows: If a hit and run motorist causes property damage, then they may face a second-degree misdemeanor charge, which may result in a $500 fine and up to 60 days in...
When you are in a car accident, you may face pressure from another driver—especially one that caused the accident—to exchange information (or even just exchange money) and avoid calling the police. It is vital, however, that you call the police as soon as possible after reaching a safe location. Calling 911 After a Crash Is...
What to Do If Nationwide Denies My Car Accident Claim
You have several legal options to recover financial compensation if Nationwide denies your car accident claim. You can appeal the decision, file a bad faith case, or directly sue the at-fault party. A lawyer with experience handling car accident claims can explain your options and help you choose the right course for obtaining the compensation...
Who Pays for Car Repairs After a No-Fault Accident in Florida?
Due to Florida’s no-fault laws, all drivers are required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) and property damage liability (PDL) insurance. Your car repairs would be covered by either a claim filed against the at-fault driver’s property damage liability policy or a claim filed with your collision coverage policy. However, collision coverage is an optional...