Intersections are always dangerous, but they can be especially so in populous areas, such as most of South Florida. Cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale are known for their congested roads and distracted drivers, which make every crossroad a challenge.
However, some crossroads are more hazardous than others because of their complexities, location, and sometimes narrow lanes. More serious accidents tend to occur in these areas, with some even causing fatalities. Here’s a look at South Florida’s most dangerous roads and what you can do if you’re in a collision.
South Florida’s Top Hazardous Crossroads
The following are the areas that experience the highest number of accidents throughout South Florida.
NE Second Ave and 36th Street in Midtown Miami
This area allows people to get on or off the Julia Tuttle Causeway, which connects Miami to Miami Beach. It’s a large intersection with lanes that aren’t clearly marked, and there are even train tracks to worry about.
Another danger that these crossroads pose is the left-turn lane, which is always packed and practically spilling cars onto the route.
Atlantic Blvd and U.S. 1 in Pompano Beach
This is a 24-lane intersection; it’s no wonder so many accidents occur there. The confusing design and lack of clear lane markers confuse even the locals. It doesn’t help that the area surrounding the intersection is full of businesses with their own parking lot entrances and exits.
NW 87th and 36th Streets in Doral
Aside from a number of roads meeting at this spot, NW 87th and 36th Streets in Doral can be jammed at any moment of the day, rush hour or not. That makes maneuvering more difficult and can easily lead to rear-end collisions as people grow impatient with traffic.
SW 117th Ave and 152nd St in South Miami-Dade
As with most areas in Miami-Dade, the signage is confusing at this crossroad. There are also six lanes to worry about. Add to that drivers coming off the Ronald Reagan Turnpike and you have a recipe for accidents.
Hialeah Garden Blvd and Okeechobee Rd in Hialeah Gardens
Okeechobee Road is a busy street that passes through Hialeah Gardens. It’s the site of many accidents each year. The majority of them occur at this intersection because of the number of vehicles coming in and out of nearby businesses and the frequent construction projects occurring in the area.
Pines Blvd and South Flamingo Rd in Pembroke Pines
This intersection is one of the most dangerous in Florida for pedestrians and drivers alike. Despite the improvements the city of Pembroke Pines has made in past years, such as adding a new eastbound lane, it’s still a complex crossroad that causes serious collisions each year.
What to Do if You’re in an Accident at a Dangerous Intersection
If you’re in a collision at any Florida intersection, there are a few things to remember.
Get to Safety
Car accidents that occur at any of these areas can expose you to being hit by other vehicles. It’s always best to leave the car where it is instead of removing it because that can put you in further danger. You could be in shock or disoriented, so make certain that you carefully make your way to a sidewalk or other safe location.
Call Emergency Services
Immediately contact emergency medical services. Often, people have a lot of adrenaline pumping through them after a crash and don’t realize that they’ve been injured. By calling for medical care, you can receive the assistance you need at once. It’s also a good way of beginning a record of the injuries you sustained.
Call Law Enforcement
According to Florida Statutes Section 316.065, you must call the police after an accident in which:
- There’s suspicion of intoxicated driving
- There are injuries or fatalities
- There’s a vehicle that needs to be towed
- One driver flees the scene
- There’s at least $500 of property damage
- A commercial vehicle is involved
Even if you don’t think you’re injured and you’re not sure whether the property damage you sustained is $500 or more, you should contact the police. You may only notice that you suffered serious injuries later on, and you don’t want to be left without a police report to prove that the accident occurred.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you’re well enough to do so, start gathering evidence of the accident right there at the scene. Take lots of pictures and videos and get contact information for any eyewitnesses.
If you suffer a serious injury that allows you to pursue a fault-based claim instead of only relying on your personal injury protection (PIP) insurance, you will need to demonstrate that the other party holds the majority of the fault for the collision. The evidence you gather at the scene will be invaluable.
Call Your Insurer
You’ll have to let your insurer know that you were in a car accident. Keep this conversation as short as you can. Remember that insurers are not on your side, so you should leave all communications with them to your attorney.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer
Immediately after speaking with your insurer, contact a lawyer to help you begin your claim. This is always important, even if you’re only planning on filing against your own PIP insurance, but it’s essential if you’re stepping outside of no-fault laws.
You shouldn’t attempt to file on your own. With a car accident lawyer helping you, you can focus on getting treatment for your injuries while your attorney puts together a robust case.
Contact Our Trusted Car Accident Lawyers in Florida
South Florida is replete with dangerous roads, and the smallest error could result in a serious collision. If someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct led to severe losses, it’s important not to despair. There is help available.
At Schrier Law Group, we are a team of local car accident lawyers with decades of experience representing people throughout Florida. Because we know how difficult this situation is for you, you can expect compassionate and dependable assistance from a personal injury lawyer here.
Contact us at the Schrier Law Group to learn more about how we can help.
