Clearwater, Florida, is a tourist favorite, known for its sunny weather, Gulf Coast beaches, gorgeous white sands, and clear blue water. Yet, as people flock to the area to experience the many attractions and natural beauty, road congestion can lead to many problems. As the streets get busier with tourists unfamiliar with the area and highways become more crowded, Clearwater becomes the perfect storm for car accidents and devastating injuries or even fatalities.
If you spend time as a driver or passenger in the Bay Area, you should know about the most dangerous roads and intersections in Clearwater, FL. Let's take a look at some of the most accident-prone Clearwater roads and intersections, statistics regarding these accidents, and review your potential legal options if you have been injured in a Clearwater car accident due to another person’s wrongful actions.
Overview of Crashes in Clearwater and Surrounding Areas
The Clearwater area is no stranger to devastating traffic accidents. In one recent year, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) statistics show that the area experienced 15,618 crashes, resulting in 115 fatalities and 9,184 injuries.
In addition, Clearwater city data indicates that 47 percent of the deadly motor vehicle accidents in Clearwater happened during the day, while the remaining crashes occurred:
- During the dark, with lighted conditions (42.6 percent)
- During nighttime hours, with no lighting (7.5 percent)
- At dusk (1.9 percent)
- At dawn (0.09 percent)
- In the dark, with unknown lighting conditions (0.2 percent)
Additionally, the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard indicates that in one year, the Clearwater Police Department investigated over 3,500 traffic accidents in the Clearwater area and determined that these crashes caused 87 serious injuries and six deaths.
What’s more, it does not look like these figures are dropping anytime soon as the Clearwater area continues to top all the other counties in Florida regarding fatality rate and automobile accidents, averaging 4.57 deaths per mile.
However, if you suffered harm in a Clearwater automobile crash, you should know your legal rights and options if another motorist was responsible for your accident. That is why, following a motor vehicle accident, consider contacting an experienced Clearwater car accident lawyer. These legal professionals can go over your accident with you in detail, review your options for recovering the financial damages you deserve, and help you fight for the maximum compensation you need.
So, What are the Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Clearwater?
Clearwater’s most dangerous roads tend to act as major routes throughout the city, connecting tourist areas, residences, and commercial developments. Consequently, these roads tend to see heavy traffic and devastating collisions.
These roads include:
- FL-60 (Gulf to Bay Boulevard)
- Old Coachman Road
- U.S. 19
- Belcher Road
- Enterprise Road
In addition, some of the more dangerous intersections in Clearwater also see a lot of traffic, as well as a heavy bicycle and pedestrian presence because of the nearby restaurants, attractions, and businesses.
These dangerous intersections include:
- U.S. 19 at Drew Street
- U.S. 19 and FL-60 (Gulf to Bay Boulevard)
- Court Street and Fort Harrison Avenue
- Gulfview Boulevard and Hamden Drive
- FL-60 (Gulf to Bay Boulevard) and Belcher Road
- FL-60 (Gulf to Bay Boulevard) and Hercules Avenue
- Chestnut Street and Fort Harrison Avenue
- Cleveland Street and Fort Harrison Avenue
- Eastland Boulevard and McMullen Booth Road
- SR 686 at 34th Street North
However, no matter where your accident occurred, if it was due to another individual’s reckless, negligent, or intentional actions, contact a skilled Clearwater car accident attorney as soon as possible. These attorneys can review what happened, determine if you have a viable legal case, and discuss which legal options you can pursue.
What Makes the Road and Intersections in Clearwater So Dangerous?
Many factors make a road or intersection more prone to accidents and fatalities.
However, in Clearwater, these accidents frequently occur because of the following:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Road design that promotes speeding
- Reckless and aggressive driving behavior
- Dangerous lane changes
- Lack of crosswalks, medians, bicycle lanes, and sidewalks
- Excessive speeding
- Drivers failing to yield to the right-of-way or making dangerous left-hand turns
- Tailgating
- Defective motor vehicle equipment
Consequently, these dangerous roads and intersections can see many motor vehicle accidents, including:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Blind-spot accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accident
Even if you were involved in a Clearwater automobile accident that is not listed above, you may still have a valid legal claim. The easiest way to know for sure is to schedule a free consultation with a reputable personal injury lawyer. During a no-obligation case review, an experienced injury attorney can determine what happened, who caused the accident, and how to hold all at-fault parties accountable for your losses and injuries.
Common Injuries Resulting From a Clearwater Motor Vehicle Accident
Car crashes can result in a variety of injuries. Yet, while the severity and extent of these damages will typically depend on the circumstances of the accident, in general, some of the more common types of injuries that can result from a Clearwater car crash include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage and paralysis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Fractured bones
- Neck and back injuries
- Lacerations
- Crushing injuries
- Knee and foot injuries
- Facial trauma, including eye injuries
- PTSD
- Wrongful death
Additionally, many of these injuries can lead to a lifetime of medical care, including extensive surgeries, at-home nursing services, and even assistive medical devices. As a result, victims of these devastating accidents can be left paying hefty medical bills for years, which can forever impact them and their loved ones financially.
For these reasons, if you sustained significant injuries in an accident in a dangerous Clearwater intersection or roadway, consider discussing your case with an experienced car accident attorney. These lawyers can determine the full extent of your injuries and losses and help you fight for the maximum compensation possible to cover your care now and in the future.
What to Do Following a Clearwater Motor Vehicle Accident
Even though taking legal action after a car crash is probably not the first thing you want to focus on after an accident, it is important to understand that the things you do after these crashes can impact your rights, as well as your health and safety. Here are some important steps to take following a Clearwater car crash.
Call 911 Immediately
After a motor vehicle accident, call 911 immediately and alert the officials of the accident and any injuries. After you get the medical treatment you need, the police officers can investigate the incident and include their findings in their police report, which can be helpful if you decide to pursue legal action following the accident.
Obtain Personal Details From Everyone Involved in the Collision
As the police officers are investigating your accident, you can also request information from all the parties involved, including:
- Full names
- Addresses
- Driver’s license numbers
- Insurance information, including carrier and policy numbers
- Make and model of the cars involved
- Phone numbers
Be Careful What You Say to Others
As you discuss the incident with other people, you must watch what you say. Avoid taking any blame for the accident, apologizing, or making definitive statements about the incident. The other parties involved or the insurance company can use these comments against you to reduce or deny your claim.
Get to a Doctor Even if You Think Your Injuries are Minor
You might think your injuries are insignificant following a motor vehicle accident. However, you should still get examined following this crash. It is not uncommon for symptoms of a severe injury, such as brain trauma or internal damage, to take some time before they show up.
However, the longer you wait to get the condition looked at, the more debilitating it can become. That is why it is a good idea to get to a doctor or health care professional as soon as possible following a car crash.
Besides, receiving medical care immediately after an accident can also help your legal claim. Following an accident, the insurance company will look for anything to deny your claim or settle for less than you deserve.
If you do not receive medical care right after a car crash, stingy insurance adjusters can argue that your injuries are not that serious or were the result of a different situation. However, if you obtain a medical report following your accident, this reliable document can help show the extent of your injuries and connect the harm sustained to the accident in question.
Watch What You Discuss With the Insurance Representatives
The insurance company will likely be calling soon after a motor vehicle accident. Before you have a conversation with them and provide details regarding what happened, you must remember that insurance adjusters are not trying to help you secure the money you need. Rather, they are there to help their company's bottom line.
Like other businesses, the insurance company wants to make money. When they pay you less for your claim or deny it altogether, it improves their profit margin. As a result, these adjusters will call you as soon as possible following an accident and try to get you to admit to something that can hurt your legal claim.
For these reasons, before you speak with any insurance adjusters, consider discussing the accident with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you handle these conversations.
Reach Out to an Experienced Clearwater Car Accident Attorney to Help Build a Solid Case
Collecting evidence after a car accident is challenging, especially after you have sustained serious injuries. However, when you retain a dedicated car accident attorney, you will not have to worry about handling this step alone.
Instead, tenacious legal professionals can promptly get to work, investigating your crash and looking for evidence to validate your claim, such as videos or pictures of:
- The vehicles involved
- The damage to these cars
- The placement of these vehicles on the road
- Traffic signs and signals in the area
- Road defects or skid marks
- The weather at the time of the accident, as well as traffic conditions
Savvy personal injury attorneys can also look for individuals who saw the accident and can support your claim. Eyewitnesses can not only offer your lawyer information and other helpful details regarding what happened, but they can also provide testimony to help substantiate your legal claim.
Schedule A Free Consultation
Fight for the Justice You Deserve After an Accident on One of the Most Dangerous Roads in Clearwater
If you or a loved one suffered harm in a car accident on one of Clearwater's most dangerous roads or intersections, you might have the legal right to receive compensation. Following your accident, you should consider contacting a knowledgeable Clearwater car accident lawyer as soon as possible. When you choose to work with a reputable legal professional. they can help you determine if you have a valid legal claim, review your legal options, and guide you in your next steps.
Additionally, dedicated vehicle crash attorneys can:
- Investigate your Clearwater car crash and gather evidence that can help your claim.
- Hire experts, such as doctors, accident reconstructionist specialists, and others, to help show what happened and who was at fault.
- Ensure you do not run out of time to file your case before the statute of limitations runs out.
- Handle settlement negotiations with the insurance companies and fight for a fair offer.
- Take your case to trial in front of a jury or a judge if the other side is unwilling to settle for a fair amount, and fight for every dollar you deserve.
For more information regarding an accident in Clearwater, FL, contact an experienced car accident attorney at Dolman Law Group for a free case consultation and learn how we can help you fight for your rights.