Florida Road Hazard Accident Attorney

Florida has some of the most dangerous roadways in the country, causing hundreds of thousands of crashes to occur each year on Florida roadways. According to a report from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, “[f]our of the top five deadliest highways in the nation are in Florida.” Looking at the Top 10 list of most dangerous highways in America, Florida is home to six out of ten of the most dangerous highways, according to Forbes. Florida’s U.S. Route 1 is the most dangerous road in the United States. U.S. Route 1 is 544 miles of roadway running along Florida’s east. Over a thousand deadly crashes have occurred on this highway over the past decade.  

Why Are Florida Roadways So Dangerous?

While the above reports consider accidents involving all factors, the roads themselves are often to blame in many cases.  Numerous dangerous road conditions cause and contribute to serious and fatal car accidents across Florida each year.  Additionally, below are some other factors that contribute to Florida’s highways being so dangerous:

• Negligence/Speeding. Some drivers are negligent in driving and disregard posted speed limits causing accidents to occur. Florida motorists who drive at higher rates of speed that are appropriate for the area or the terrain, making it more difficult to quickly respond to a hazard that may appear in the roadway.  
• Dense Population. A combination of Florida’s dense population and dangerous road conditions contribute to a large number of accidents each year. Florida’s roadways that are connected to densely populated areas increase the chances of accidents occurring. 

Florida Car Crash Statistics

The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports motor vehicle crash data and other statistics each year; the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) maintains a Florida Crash Dashboard for easy access and updates these reports annually. Here are the numbers for 2024 and 2023 motor vehicle accidents in Florida: 

2024 Florida Car Crash Statistics

• All Crashes: 380,308
• Total Fatal Crashes: 2,887
• Total Injury Crashes: 160,583

2023 Florida Car Crash Statistics 

• All Crashes: 395,175
• Total Fatal Crashes: 3,162
• Total Injury Crashes: 164,413

In addition to fatal crashes, thousands of auto accidents each year cause serious damage to motorists causing expenses such as medical expenses, deteriorating quality of life, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property loss. 

Our car accident attorneys understand how complicated these cases can be and are readily available to fight for your compensation. If you have questions about the damages you sustained in your car crash case, contact an experienced Florida road hazard accident attorney at Searcy Denney. Our lawyers can help explain your options as well as negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you need for the injuries you sustained. 

Common Road Hazards and Other Factors That Cause and Contribute to Serious in Florida Auto Accidents

Dangerous road conditions range from issues with how a road is constructed to problems with signs, traffic signals and lane markings (or the lack thereof). Any time you are involved in an auto accident, it is important to consider whether an issue with the road may have played a role in causing you to crash. Some of the most common road hazards involved in auto accidents in Florida include:

• Potholes and sinkholes
• Uneven lanes
• Low shoulders
• Inadequate merging areas
• Inadequate road maintenance
• Use of improper road construction materials
• Gravel, debris, and other road obstructions
• Missing signs, traffic signals or lane markings
• Inoperable traffic signals
• Limited visibility and visual obstructions

The FLHSMV’s annual crash reports include the following as some of the leading causes of crashes in Florida:  

• Failed to Yield the Right of Way
• Operated Motor Vehicle in a Careless or Negligent Manner
• Ran Off Roadway
• Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road or the Wrong Way
• Exceed Posted Speed Limit/Drove too Fast for Conditions
• Operated Motor Vehicle in an Erratic, Reckless, or Aggressive Manner

Regarding weather conditions, FLHSMV indicate that accidents often occur in conditions that can include:

• Blowing Sand, Soil, and/or Dirt
• Cloudy Weather Conditions
• Fog, Smog, or Smokey Conditions
• Rainy Conditions
• Severe Crosswinds
• Sleet/Hail/Freezing Rain

Weather conditions sometimes are a big component leading to crashes in Florida. Heavy rainfall, for example, can reduce visibility for drivers causing a reduction in response time to respond to a sudden hazard occurring on the roadway such as traffic suddenly stopping. Rain can also flood roads and cause motorists to hydroplane and slide off the road or into another vehicle. Also, even though the Sunshine State is often a popular place for tourists to visit because of its warm and bright sunshine, bright sunny days can also cause serious accidents in Florida because the bright sunshine can temporarily “blind” drivers and cause reduced visibility. 

Who Is Liable When the Road Causes an Accident?

If you were involved in an auto accident in which an issue with the road was a factor, who is liable for your accident-related losses? Depending on the circumstances involved, the responsible parties may include:

• The Road or Highway Authority – In many cases, the state or municipal authority responsible for constructing and maintaining the road will be liable. Under the Florida Tort Claims Act, there are special requirements (including strict timelines) for pursuing personal injury and wrongful death claims against government entities.
• The Road Construction or Maintenance Contractor – In many cases, government authorities will hire private contractors to perform road construction and maintenance. If a contractor is to blame for the dangerous road condition that caused your accident, then the contractor may be liable for your losses.
• The Manufacturer of the Road’s Construction Materials – From asphalt and concrete to guardrails and traffic signals, virtually all products used to build Florida’s roadways have the potential to suffer from defects. If your accident resulted from a product defect, you may have a claim against the product manufacturer.

To determine the specific cause of your accident (and who is liable for your losses), it will be necessary to promptly conduct an investigation. At Searcy Denney, we can launch auto accident investigations throughout Florida immediately, and our attorneys can help you understand the insurance issues involved with your accident as well. To start protecting your legal rights today, request a free consultation with one of our dangerous road accident lawyers now.

Financial Compensation Available in Cases Involving Road Hazards and Dangerous Roads

In accident cases involving road hazards and dangerous roads, victims are entitled to just compensation for all of their losses resulting from the accident. If you have a claim, a Florida road hazard accident attorney at Searcy Denney will be able to help you seek just compensation for your:

• Vehicle and other property damage
• Medical bills and prescriptions
• Other out-of-pocket costs related to your injuries
• Loss of income and benefits
• Loss of consortium, companionship, and enjoyment of life
• Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement

All of these losses can be substantial, and, combined, they can add up to tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or even millions of dollars. When you speak with a dangerous road accident lawyer at our firm, your lawyer will help you understand the value of your claim so that you can decide whether it is worth taking legal action.

Filing a Lawsuit Against a Government Entity After an Accident Involving a Road Hazard or Dangerous Road

In many cases, government entities will be liable for car accidents caused by hazardous road conditions and dangerous roads. Liability claims are subject to special requirements; so, in these cases, it is important to have a Florida road hazard accident attorney with relevant experience on your side.

As a general rule, lawsuits against the State of Florida and its subdivisions are prohibited under the doctrine of sovereign immunity. However, Florida has waived sovereign immunity in certain cases. Crucially, this waiver covers cases involving both:

• Accidents caused by government employees’ negligence (i.e., accidents caused by negligent road work or negligent operation of state vehicles); and,
• Accidents caused by dangerous conditions on state-owned property (i.e., poorly maintained roads and roads with other hazardous conditions).

But, even when Florida’s sovereign immunity has been waived, filing a lawsuit against the state or one of its subdivisions is still subject to requirements that don’t apply to lawsuits against private parties. At Searcy Denney, we have extensive experience in these types of cases, and we can use our experience to pursue your lawsuit on your behalf.

The Most Dangerous Roads in Florida

Florida has some of the most dangerous roads in the country. Recent studies have identified not only Florida’s most dangerous roads, but also the counties with the most dangerous roads in the state. According to a study published in 2024, the 10 counties with the “deadliest” roads in Florida (and the most dangerous road in each county) are:

• Brevard County (US-1)
• Broward County (I-95)
• Duval County (US-90)
• Hillsborough County (US-41)
• Lee County (US-41)
• Miami-Dade County (US-1)
• Orange County (State Road 50)
• Palm Beach County (I-95)
• Pasco County (US-19)
• Pinellas County (US-19)

However, some counties have several of Florida’s most dangerous roads, and some of Florida’s most dangerous roads—like Interstate 95—stretch across county lines. Based on data from various sources, some of Florida’s most dangerous roads are:

• Interstate 4 (from Tampa to Orlando)
• Interstate 10 (across the Florida Panhandle)
• Interstate 75 (from Miami to the Florida-Georgia border)
• Interstate 95 (including the I-95 Express Lane from Miami to Jacksonville)
• State Route 7 (from Miami to Palm Beach County)
• State Route 82 (from the Gulf Coast to eastern Florida)
• US-1 (running along a major stretch of the Atlantic Coast)
• US-19 (running along a major stretch of the Gulf Coast)
• US-90 (from the Atlantic Coast to the Florida Panhandle)
• Beach Boulevard (a local road in Jacksonville that has an unusually high fatality rate)

Of course, many other roads in Florida are also dangerous, and potholes, construction zones, and other hazards can appear on roads across the state at any time. Regardless of where your accident happened, if you are facing medical bills, lost wages, and other costs that you believe may be due to an issue with the road, we strongly encourage you to speak with a Florida road hazard accident attorney at Searcy Denney right away.

How a Florida Dangerous Road Accident Lawyer at Searcy Denney Can Help

While recovering just compensation after any type of car accident can be difficult, recovering just compensation after an accident involving a road hazard or dangerous road presents unique challenges. At Searcy Denney, we are dedicated to securing just compensation for our clients, and we have a proven track record in cases of this nature. Here are just some of the ways a dangerous road accident lawyer at our firm can help you:

• Prove that a Road Hazard or Dangerous Road is Responsible for Your Injuries – Filing a successful claim starts with proving that a road hazard or dangerous road is responsible for your injuries. Once you get in touch, we will promptly investigate your accident to preserve the available evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
• Prove the Financial and Non-Financial Losses You Are Entitled to Recover – Filing a successful claim also requires proof of the financial and non-financial losses you are entitled to recover. Your lawyer will work closely with you, your doctors, and other experts to clearly document the present and future costs of your injuries.
• File Your Claim in Accordance with Florida’s Sovereign Immunity Waiver – If you have a claim against the State of Florida or one of its subdivisions, we will file your claim in accordance with Florida’s sovereign immunity waiver. Crucially, strict timelines apply, so it is important that you schedule your free initial consultation as soon as possible.
• File Any Additional Claims You May Be Entitled to File – If you are entitled to file any additional claims—such as a claim against a road construction or maintenance contractor—we will file these claims on your behalf as well. We will use our experience handling these types of cases to seek just compensation on your behalf by all means available.
• Fight to Recover the Full Compensation You Deserve – Throughout the process, we will be focused on recovering the full compensation you deserve. While we will work to settle your claim for just compensation if possible, we will also be fully prepared to fight for your legal rights in the Florida courts if necessary.

Request a Free Consultation with the Car Accident Attorneys at Searcy Denney

Are you entitled to financial compensation for injuries you sustained in an accident involving a dangerous road in Florida? To discuss your legal rights with one of our experienced attorneys in confidence, call 855-913-5878 or tell us about your accident online now.