North Miami Beach has it all. This charming South Florida locale has plenty to offer for visitors as well as long-time locals. Due to its popularity, the risk of accidents may be higher, especially during the tourist season, when travelers flock to the beach, and the population of over 46,000 grows rapidly.
North Miami Beach is about halfway between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, at the juncture of the I-95 and the Palmetto Expressway. This area appeals to many for its beaches, shopping, business, luxury residential areas, parks, recreation, and more. People from all walks of life can enjoy the tranquility outside the big city while enjoying every comfort that a major city has to offer.
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Florida living, accidents are bound to happen. When they do, you need a North Miami Beach car accident lawyer to help you through the legal process.
Car Accident Statistics in North Miami Beach
According to data from a recent year from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the number of crashes in the Miami-Dade area exceeded 63,400. Of those, about 310 were fatal car accidents, and about 29,000 resulted in injuries. A closer look at those statistics reveals that:
- About 250 involved alcohol. Of those, about 20 were fatal, and 160 resulted in injuries.
- About 11 involved drugs. Most of those—about 15—resulted in fatalities. About seven over the past few years resulted in injuries.
- Nearly 1,100 wrecks involved motorcycles. About 50 of those resulted in fatalities.
- Nearly 1,500 crashes involving pedestrians. About 95 were fatal, and about 800 resulted in injuries.
- Bicyclists also had about 850 wrecks over the past few years, with about 17 fatalities per year, except for 2017, which had 744 fatalities. The average number of bicycle-involved accidents was about 730, except for 2017, which saw 476 injuries.
- Commercial motor vehicles were involved in about 8,500 wrecks over the past years. Of those, about 20 were fatal, and about 1300 caused injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides additional information regarding trends in accidents and fatal injuries in the state of Florida. Over ten years, the number of alcohol-related crashes statewide increased from 709 to 1,019. Additionally, Florida’s accidents-per-miles traveled have seen a steady uptick over the past decade, from 1.27 fatalities per 100 million miles driven to 1.72. While this may not seem like a large increase, it factors into over 1000 additional fatalities every year.
Where Do Accidents Most Commonly Happen in North Miami Beach?
Residents of North Miami Beach often deal with long commutes to school, work, and other activities. As a result, you may find yourself spending a lot of time on major highways and roadways that tend to see more accidents than more suburban areas. Some of the roads that see a higher incidence of traffic crashes in North Miami Beach include:
- Biscayne Blvd.
- NE 186th Street
- I-95 Expressway
- NE 163rd Street
- W Dixie Highway
North Miami Beach sees comparatively less traffic than other nearby areas, such as the congestion that typically occurs in Miami Gardens on the Florida Turnpike. However, it still accounts for many of the accidents in Miami-Dade County, which sees the highest number of accidents in the state.
The Types of Vehicles Involved in North Miami Beach Accidents
Our car accident attorneys see a wide variety of accidents in North Miami Beach. While many involve car crashes between passenger cars, other motor vehicle accidents can be just as, if not more, dangerous, and are increasingly common. These include:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Boating accidents
Regardless of how you choose to commute, vehicle safety and driver responsibility is vital to protecting yourself and others. Obeying traffic regulations, wearing a seat belt, and reporting any reckless driving or other unsafe behavior that you see can help prevent accidents. However, when you find yourself in an accident caused by someone’s failure to heed these precautions, you should turn to a skilled North Miami Beach car accident attorney who can help you determine what action to take.
Auto Accident Statistics
Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/
What to Do After an Accident
Your injuries may prevent you from doing much, if anything, after an accident. However, if you can move without causing additional damage to yourself, you should:
- Call first responders and check on others involved in the accident. However, if the other driver caused the accident because of road rage, and you believe approaching them might endanger you, stay with your vehicle and call first responders.
- Take photos of the accident scene. Be sure to take photos from all angles. Include damage to the road and nearby property.
- Ask other drivers involved for their contact, license, registration, and insurance information. If possible, take clear pictures of their ID, insurance cards, and registration.
- Obtain a good phone number and email from witnesses, including passengers in other vehicles.
- Allow first responders to check you over, even if you believe you are not hurt, or your injuries are minor. This starts the paper trail, should injuries manifest hours or days later.
- Give your statement to the police officer or sheriff.
After the police release you from the accident scene, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Finally, contact a North Miami Beach car accident lawyer for a free case evaluation.
Types of Accident Injuries
Accident injuries could range from minor injuries such as scratches, minor road rash, bruises, sprains, strains, and pulled muscles to more severe injuries such as torn muscles and ligaments, simple or compound fractures, and internal injuries.
These types of injuries often heal within weeks or months. However, depending on the circumstances of the accident, you could sustain traumatic brain injuries, crushed bones and other crush injuries, and spinal cord injuries that could cause long-term or permanent disabilities. Additional injuries that could cause long-term or permanent disabilities and other issues include amputations and injuries that cause disfigurement or excessive scarring.
Recovering Damages
After an accident, you should speak to your lawyer about what damages you may be able to recover for your injuries. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, these may include compensatory damages and possibly punitive damages.
To receive compensation, you may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. Punitive damages are more difficult to obtain and require proof of a driver's wrongdoing. The process to obtain these damages is longer, as it involves two stages.
The initial stage will determine if compensatory damages will be awarded. Before punitive damages are awarded, you must receive compensatory damages. Economic damages have an established monetary value, and most victims of accidents receive them. These can include:
- Medical expenses
- Replacement or repair of damaged personal property
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- funeral and burial expenses if the accident involved the wrongful death of a loved one
- Certain probate court or probate attorney's fees and costs.
Non-economic damages do not have a firm monetary value. In most cases, only those with long-term or permanent disabilities recover non-economic damages. If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you could also recover non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include:
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Inconvenience
- Loss of use of a body part
- Loss of use of bodily function
- Amputation of a digit or limb
- Excessive scarring or disfigurement
Contact a North Miami Beach Car Accident Attorney to Learn About Your Options for Recovery
Working with insurance companies without an attorney's help could affect the compensation you recover, especially if you are entitled to recover non-economic and punitive damages. Because insurance companies are in business to make a profit, they will try to deny your claim. Barring that, they will offer the least amount possible. However, by turning to skilled legal help as soon as possible, you can avoid potential pitfalls and roadblocks and give yourself the best chance of recovering everything you deserve.
If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a vehicle accident, contact a North Miami Beach car accident lawyer as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.