Areas With High Accident Potential

On specific roads in Tampa, car accidents are more likely to occur:

• Interstate 4. This highway connecting Daytona Beach and Tampa is one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. A study covering six years of traffic fatalities revealed that 1.41 deaths per mile occurred on this roadway.
• Gibsonton Drive. This roadway stretches from Boyette Road to Balm Riverview and is dangerous for motorcyclists or drivers who want to make left turns. Some of the most dangerous behaviors that frequently occur on this roadway include high speeds and aggressive driving. This roadway also contains many visual obstructions, making the visibility for drivers very difficult.
• Hillsborough Avenue. This roadway stretches from Longboat Boulevard to Florida Avenue and has a ratio of 19.8 traffic accidents to one mile.
• Dale Mabry Highway. This roadway stretches from Hillsborough Avenue to Bearss Avenue. Some of the dangerous aspects of this roadway include crossing issues for pedestrians, a lack of bike lanes for bicyclists, and traffic accidents caused by turning errors. Many traffic accidents on this roadway happened because of improper signaling and speeding.
• Brandon Boulevard. This roadway stretches from Falkenburg Road to the intersection of Dover Road. The average traffic accident rate for this roadway is 25 accidents per mile.

Conditions That Contribute to an Increase in Traffic Accidents

While driver error is the main factor contributing to traffic accidents, other conditions help increase the number of traffic accidents and make these roadways dangerous. These conditions include weather, intersections, traffic congestion, and uninsured drivers.​

Weather Plays a Role in Many Crashes

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the summer months between June and August contain 30 percent more traffic accident fatalities than the winter months between December and January. There is an increase in drivers on the road during the summer months, including a rise in young and inexperienced drivers who take more risks while driving.​

Dangerous Intersections

A majority of traffic accidents happen at intersections. According to the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 25 percent of traffic fatalities in the United States occur at intersections. Traffic accidents happen at intersections due to irresponsible actions like failing to yield the right of way or stopping at red or yellow lights.​

Traffic Congestion

The more drivers present on the roadways, the more likely it is for a traffic accident to happen. Traffic congestion affects the normal flow of traffic. Drivers who ignore the changes in traffic are at risk of causing severe traffic accidents.​

Uninsured Drivers

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Florida is a state that contains the highest rate of uninsured drivers in the United States. Uninsured drivers might be more reckless as their disregard for the law might make them more likely to engage in other unlawful and dangerous behaviors while driving.​

Common Damages for Catastrophic Injuries

Victims of severe traffic accidents can acquire catastrophic injuries that will impact themselves and their families for the rest of their lives. Unlike victims who are injured temporarily and only need compensation for a specific amount of time, catastrophic injury victims will need compensation for the rest of their lives. Catastrophic injuries often result in permanent disabilities for victims. Some of the damages that catastrophic injury victims are entitled to include medical treatment, lost income, and loss of enjoyment of life.​

Medical Treatment

Catastrophic injury victims will need lifelong medical services to continue functioning. These necessary medical services can range from prescription medications, rehabilitative services, and medical devices. Catastrophic injury victims must pursue compensation for past and future medical treatments.​

Lost Income

Every aspect of a catastrophic injury victim’s life will be affected by the injury, including their ability to work. The victim will have to come to terms with the loss of their ability to make a living. Losing the ability to work can also cause additional stress for the victim, as medical expenses can continue to add up.​

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

Catastrophic injury victims must come to terms with various changes caused by their injury. Losing independence, missing out on past hobbies and activities, and dealing with a new form of dependence can cause victims to experience emotional distress. It can also be challenging to deal with an injury caused by another person’s careless actions.​