Recovering After a Crash
Florida has one of the highest numbers of fatal accidents per year, with 2,247 in 2012. Therefore, getting into a crash on an Orlando highway can be a frightening experience. You and your passengers may be seriously injured and the car may be totaled. Plus, there are thousands of cars whizzing by you at high speeds.
You may have been in a car accident before, but maybe it happened on a rural road or quiet suburban street without tons of other cars interfering. Being stuck on a highway is a much different experience. That begs the question: What do you do after an accident on the interstate? Do the same rules apply? Do you stay put? Call for help? Read on to find out what to do so you can stay safe and get back on the road as quickly as possible. Why an Interstate Accident is Different from a Crash on a City Street In Florida, the speed limit on an interstate ranges from 60 to 70 mph. And in many cases, motorists travel at speeds higher than the speed limit. This makes an interstate the dangerous place to have an accident. These speeds are much higher than a residential area, where speeds could range from 25 to 45 mph. Another difference is that there are few places to pull over on an interstate. Some interstates lack shoulders, which means that an accident can block one or more lanes of traffic. This can lead to slowdowns and road rage. Another difference is that it may take a while for help to arrive after a crash. If you are in a desolate location, or if there is a lot of traffic, emergency responders will need extra time to get to your location. Therefore, patience is important. Steps to Take Following an Interstate Accident After an interstate accident, the first step is to stay calm. Attempt to move your car to the shoulder or side of the road. Turn on your hazard lights and headlights. You may need to exit your vehicle to make your car visible to others through reflectors or flares. If you do, proceed carefully. Remember, cars are traveling at high speeds and may not see you exiting your vehicle. If there is no room for you to move over the car and the traffic level is out of control, it may be wise to simply stay in your car and call for help. If you can still drive the car, it may be best to continue to drive it until you can exit the interstate safely. If the car requires repair, call a tow truck and wait patiently inside your vehicle. Don’t try to flag down other motorists for help. Stopping on an interstate is very dangerous, and could cause another accident. It may take some time for help to arrive, but be patient. Don’t put others at risk. Once help arrives, you may proceed in post-accident activities, such as getting personal and insurance information from the other driver involved and getting evidence of the crash. This will help your Orlando interstate accident attorney as they proceed to work on your behalf to assist you in recovering the compensation that you deserve for your injuries.
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Driving on the interstate can be nerve-wracking for first-time drivers—or even experienced drivers, for that matter. Being surrounded by cars of all sizes driving at high speeds can make a driver nervous, and for good reason. An interstate accident is likely to be more serious than one on city streets due to the impact at high speeds.
However, city driving poses many challenges as well. The dangers are different, which means that motorists need to learn to adapt to driving on various types of roads in different situations. Read on to learn more about driving on the interstate vs. city streets, and how you can stay safe. Driving on City Streets Driving on city streets can be more complex than driving on the interstate. That’s because the roads are smaller and there are many more cars in a close proximity. Motorists in the city also have to deal with pedestrians and obstacles, such as potholes and debris in the road. On top of that, other motorists are stopping often, so you need to be especially alert. Main roads may have heavy traffic, which can cause slowdowns. In some areas—such as business districts—there are often large trucks and buses loading and unloading passengers and goods, so there are often sudden stops on city streets. You should always be prepared by driving at or under the speed limit. Be prepared to stop at any time. Look for brake lights and avoid following too closely. Driving on the Interstate On the interstate, there are vehicles traveling at high speeds, which can be a recipe for disaster. There are also weather conditions to deal with. The rain, snow and ice affect the interstates more than the city streets. Speeding can lead to spinouts, plus it takes longer to come to stop when the road is slick. On the interstate, you will see large trucks and driving around them can be tricky. It is important to stay away from them because their visibility is poor. There are many blind spots and it’s common for truck drivers to side-swipe other motorists. Accommodate them when necessary, but otherwise get far away from them. Driving on the interstate is not as complex as city driving because there are no pedestrians or frequent stops. However, you do still need to be alert. Interstates have multiple lanes, so try to anticipate the moves of other motorists. Check blind spots and mirrors before changing lanes. Go fast enough to keep up with traffic but not so fast that you’re a danger to others. It’s also important to not tailgate, whether you are driving on the city streets or on the interstate. The car in front of you could put on the brakes at any time. If you’re following too closely, you could rear-end the vehicle and you will more than likely be considered at fault for the accident. Keep a safe distance, and add even more room if there is a motorcycle or if it is raining or snowing, as you will need more room to stop. If you do happen to be involved in an accident, it is imperative that you contact an Orlando car accident attorney immediately. A skilled legal professional will be able to assist you in recovering due compensation for your injuries. While Florida is known for its warm weather and gorgeous beaches, it’s also known for something less glamorous. Interstate 4 in Florida—which runs from Tampa to Daytona Beach— has the distinction of being the most dangerous interstate in America.
This 132-mile stretch of roadway has the highest fatality rate of all the interstates in the United States. Between 2010 and 2015, the fatality rate was calculated at 1.41 per mile. Interstate 4 is not the only dangerous interstate in Florida, though. Interstates 95 and 10—which also run through the state—also made the list at numbers 5 and 7, respectively. What is Causing the Accidents? Distracted driving is a huge issue, with motorists using their mobile device an average of 1.4 times per trip. Florida is also ranked at second worst in the nation for phone use while driving, even though the state has laws prohibiting distracted driving. Another factor leading to a high number of accidents in Florida is a high level of tourism. Interstate 4 is a major highway that connects to many of the major tourist attractions in the Orlando area, such as Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando. Tourists are not familiar with the area, so many use their GPS while driving to help them get to their destination. This leads to distractions, which causes accidents. Florida Law Regarding Distracted Driving According to Florida Statute 316.305—also known as the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law—the following rules apply: A person may not operate a motor vehicle while manually typing...into a wireless communications device...for the purpose of nonvoice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging. The kicker is that texting while driving is illegal in Florida only as a secondary offense. This means that motorists cannot be pulled over and cited solely for texting. They must be pulled over for another offense, such as speeding or running a stop sign, before they can be cited for texting. If they are cited for texting, the fine is only $30. In addition, there is no law against talking on the phone while driving. This makes Florida one of the most lenient states in terms of cell phone use. Perhaps that is why the accident rate is so high, and why legislators need to toughen these laws soon. How to Stay Safe on the Interstate Whether you’re driving the interstate in Florida or anywhere else in the country, here are some tips for safe driving:
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