Recent Serious Injury Crash in Clearwater
On the evening of January 11, 2024, one person suffered serious injuries after a crash in Clearwater. The crash took place on Belcher Road north of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Of those evaluated by fire medics, one person was flagged as a ‘trauma alert,’ being flown to Bayfront Health St. Petersburg, with others having potential injuries.
Although the cause of the accident is unknown, car accidents are often completely preventable if drivers take safety measures. Our Clearwater car accident lawyers would like to discuss the common causes of car accidents in the Sunshine State.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can often be attributed to the following causes:
Distracted Driving
In 2021, 3,522 lives were lost due to distracted driving. Distracted driving is anything that takes your attention away from your driving. It can include changing the radio station, answering a text message, applying makeup, or even having a conversation with your passengers.
Even answering a text message is extremely dangerous. Just taking your eyes off the road for five seconds is equivalent to driving the length of a football field blindfolded.
Impaired Driving
Motorists under the influence of alcohol or drugs lack coordination, depth perception, and the quick reflexes needed to avoid an accident. Each year, about 1 million arrests are made due to a driver being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
While law enforcement has been cracking down on the problem, drunk driving still accounts for about 30% of all traffic fatalities in the United States.
Drowsy Driving
Drowsy driving is just as unsafe as drunk driving, with 1 in 25 drivers admitting to falling asleep behind the wheel at some point. It is estimated that exhausted drivers are the cause of 1,100 fatalities on our roadways.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
In 2022, Florida experienced 172 fatal accidents that contributed to speeding and other aggressive behavior. Speeding can be the result of a person running late, being in a hurry, or careless behavior.
With traffic congestion increasing over the years, motorists are often delayed in getting to their destinations. As a result, drivers may speed to make up for lost time. Many people do not realize that the faster you are driving, the longer your vehicle will take to come to a complete stop.
Running Red Lights and Stop Signs
Many drivers are in a hurry to reach their destination. Besides speeding, drivers may also run red lights and stop signs. An estimated 50% of traffic injuries and 25% of fatalities are the result of running a red light or stop sign.
No matter if a driver is rolling through an intersection or completely ignoring a traffic signal or stop sign, it puts lives at risk.
Speak with our Clearwater Car Accident Lawyers Today
It is estimated that a person is injured every five minutes in a motor vehicle crash. If you have been injured in a car accident, we want to hear from you. Contact Tragos, Sartes & Tragos today online or by phone to schedule your free consultation.