Many Floridians spend their time asking Siri, “Best Orlando car accident attorneys” or Googling, “Central Florida car accident lawyers”. Do you know why?

If you try to Youtube it, you can find many videos of terrifying dashcam footage of reckless and downright hazardous driving. Unsurprisingly, I-4 has been named America’s most deadly highway. 

The state of Florida is no stranger to severe weather. Hurricanes, tornadoes, hail, severe thunderstorms, flooding, and drought can all be expected in the same week! According to the research, Florida is a magnet for apocalyptic-level weather catastrophes.

Florida has been affected by 121 hurricanes since the Saffir Simpson category system was founded in 1851. That’s nearly double the next-highest state, Texas. Hurricanes and other extreme weather systems can wreak significant damage. Car accidents caused by weather conditions constantly happen in Florida, and adverse weather can sometimes complicate the claims process. 

Many people are injured or killed in Florida car accidents. Every day, more than 1,000 car accidents occur in Florida. Every year, almost 3,000 people are killed in car accidents in Florida, and over 165,000 people are injured. Last year, there were 30,000 car accidents in Ocala alone.

The city of Ocala reports several deadly car accidents each year.  If a car accident happens within the city limits of Ocala, the Ocala Police Department is usually responsible for investigating the crash and submitting an accident report.

If you are injured in a car accident caused by bad weather, you may find yourself with increasing bills and no obvious method to pay them. You can consult with a car accident lawyer in Ocala to learn about the legal advice after a car accident has happened to –

• Talk about the issues that may affect your case
•  Obtain advice on how to seek the greatest amount of compensation available.

Car accidents are the biggest cause of mortality for youths in the United States. Drunk driving is the leading cause of car accidents followed by speeding, weariness, and bad weather.

How Many Accidents Are Caused by Bad Weather in Florida?

Data on weather-related car accidents in Florida might be difficult to compile into an accurate picture. Tens of thousands of incidents go unreported each year. Fortunately, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) department maintains statewide records on reported crashes.

According to Florida crash report statistics for 2021, there were 723,267 accident incidents.

Is it true that a weather-related accident means no one was at fault?

No. Although the weather might play a role in an accident, the same mishap can be traced back to a driving error. In reality, drivers are expected to take appropriate measures in all scenarios. They are supposed to slow down, turn on their headlights, and proceed with caution when the weather gets severe, such as during heavy rain. When sight is severely poor, drivers are supposed to respond “reasonably” and take all necessary efforts to avoid an accident.

Importantly, the requirement to exercise reasonable caution implies not exceeding the posted speed limit and following all traffic laws. Furthermore, the courts and law enforcement require citizens to recognize specific dangers of driving under bad weather.

Negligent Behaviors That Can Lead to Accidents in Bad Weather

Some instances of careless driving actions that can lead to an accident during extreme weather are as follows:

• Speeding (over the limit)
• Failure to use proper caution
• Paying no attention
• Driving aggressively
• Driving when high on drugs or booze
• Turning off headlights when there is rain or cloud cover
• Failure to follow particular traffic restrictions during severe weather (lane changes when flooding, etc.)
• Vehicle maintenance failure 

Calling 911 from the accident scene is the simplest and quickest way to report an accident. You have the option of requesting emergency medical care and police personnel. The emergency operator dispatches law enforcement authorities with jurisdiction over the crash location.

Speak with an experienced vehicle accident lawyer to discuss your possibilities for obtaining compensation from all parties involved.