I-95: Second Most Dangerous Highway in the US

On Behalf of | Dec 28, 2017 | Car Accidents

What’s the most dangerous road in Florida? If you said I-95, you’re probably a Floridian. This interstate highway is the main highway running along the entire east coast of the United States, from Maine to Florida. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System has determined that I-95 is the second most deadly highway in the United States, with over 200 deaths a year.

At 1,925.74 miles, I-95 is one of the 10 longest interstates. In Florida, I-95 begins at the US Highway 1 interchange south of downtown Miami and passes through of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, Brevard, St. Lucie, Volusia, Indian River, Duval, St. Johns, and Nassau counties.

The Range of Accidents Can Lead to Increased Dangers

I-95 is so long that there’s a wide range of possible accidents that could occur, including speeding, failure to signal, tailgating, driving too fast for weather or road conditions, or not staying in one’s lane. Potholes, slick pavement, missing or obscured signs, road debris, and poor water drainage can also lead to accidents.

Driver negligence can be deadly. Missing exit ramps, speeding, texting and driving can be a momentary mistake that has deadly consequences. One such incident of driver negligence occurred on December 16, 2016 at 3 A.M. A man on a scooter was driving under the Stirling Road Underpass when he was hit by another vehicle. He was thrown from his scooter, then run over by an 18-wheeler, then hit by another car. On August 17, 2017, a teenage joyrider was speeding along I-95. He couldn’t make the turn onto the State Road 84 exit ramp and slammed into the concrete barrier wall, destroying the vehicle, killing the driver, and trapping four of the passengers inside.

Collisions occur from indirect circumstances. A collision usually results in cars stopping. However, the cars behind them may not have enough time to stop, so there’s a secondary collision. Rubbernecking crashes and cars pulled over by the police can also cause crashes. Tie-ups and traffic delays occur as people are trying to get their damaged vehicles off the road and figure out who is to blame.

Seeking Compensation for Damages and injuries

Every adult is likely to be involved in at least three car accidents in their lifetime, from minor fender benders to catastrophic accidents. Perhaps you’ve already experienced one.

First, there’s shock. Did this really happen? Everything else is a blur after that. There may be EMTs, police, and another driver and another car to worry about. Then there’s the insurance claims: yours and anyone else’s who was involved in the accident. What about you? You have a damaged vehicle. You may even have injuries that forced you to take time off work, lose your job, or suffer.

When to Call a Lawyer

If you’ve suffered an accident on I-95, call a lawyer. A lawyer will listen to your side and determine if you can file a personal injury claim. You may be entitled to compensation if you were involved in an accident or otherwise harmed due to a car accident. There may be more than one cause of your injuries or more than one party liable for the harm done to you.

At Kaire & Heffernan, LLC, we provide accident victims with free consultations to determine the best course of action. Victims can be compensated for their injuries, even if they are partially at fault for the accident. We can determine how much compensation you’re entitled to for your medical expenses, lost wages, and personal distress. Contact us today to set up a meeting with one of our experienced attorneys.

Mark Kaire has been practicing law in Miami for nearly 30 years. He is dedicated to helping the injured people of Miami receive compensation. Mr. Kaire has been blogging on Miami’s legal issues for many years.