By Marcus Fernandez
Most of the almost 395,000 accidents that happen each year on Florida roads can be attributed to speeding, driving while impaired, distracted driving, and other causes motorists are warned about by highway safety experts. If you live or travel to the Sunshine State, it’s crucial to be aware of other less common road hazards. These still demand a high level of caution.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 90% of bear deaths in the state are caused by collisions with motor vehicles. A collision with a bear weighing several hundred pounds can cause extensive damage to a car. It can also cause severe injuries to its occupants.
Crashing into members of the wildlife population is only one of the unusual car accidents you must be prepared for when traveling by car. The following guide from the skilled Tampa car accident attorneys at KFB Law describes some unusual car accidents in Florida. It explains how to avoid them and be safe while driving.
Collisions with Florida’s abundant wildlife
Animal collisions happen more frequently than you might imagine. A major auto insurance company reported processing more than 50,000 claims by Florida motorists for collisions with animals. Collisions with deer caused 440 deaths to the drivers or occupants of vehicles throughout the United States, with another 59,000 people suffering injuries.
Florida motorists have more than only collisions with the local deer and bear populations to be concerned about. It was only a year ago that vehicle collisions caused the deaths of four endangered Florida panthers, including one that was hit by a car in Hillsborough County.
Florida’s roads are home to a diverse range of wildlife, from panthers and bears to deer and the ubiquitous alligator. Drivers should be aware of the possibility of encountering them, particularly on roadways outside heavily populated areas.
Reduce the risk of an unexpected encounter with an animal by following a few simple precautions:
- Remain alert by avoiding distractions while driving.
- Slow down in areas known to be populated by wildlife, particularly during the hours after sunset and around sunrise.
- Be cautious on roads with signs warning of wildlife crossings.
- Animals, particularly deer, may not be alone, so slow down and assume that others may follow the one that just crossed the road.
If you collide with an animal, remain at the scene and call 911 to report the accident to the police.
Enjoy the Florida sunshine, but beware of the glare
The sunshine people love about visiting or living in Florida creates a hazard for drivers. The sun’s glare can blind drivers and prevent them from seeing the road, other vehicles, and pedestrians.
You can minimize the effects of the sun on driver visibility by taking the following precautions:
- Wear sunglasses with polarized lenses. If you wear eyeglasses and do not want to pay for prescription sunglasses, polarized clip-ons turn your eyeglasses into sunglasses for driving.
- Use the visors in your car to shield your eyes from the sun. Visors can be unclipped and swiveled to prevent blinding sunlight from the side. Just make sure the visor does not block your view of the road or hinder your ability to use your side-view mirrors.
- Clean your windshield to remove dirt, and don’t forget to remove the film that accumulates on the inside and makes it difficult to see in direct sunlight.
Remember to keep fluid in the reservoir of your car’s windshield washer system to use when driving to clean dirt and dead bugs from obstructing your vision.
Severe rainfall may cause hydroplaning
Sudden thunderstorms and heavy rains during the rainy season make driving in Tampa and other parts of the state a risky endeavor. The tires on your car are designed to maintain contact with the road by pushing rainwater out of the way.
When the amount of water exceeds the capacity of your tires, a water layer forms between the tires and the road. Instead of riding on the paved surface of the road, you are riding on a layer of water. If your car hydroplanes, you lose the ability to steer and brake.
Maintaining the tire pressure recommended by your car’s manufacturer can reduce the chance of hydroplaning. This information is usually found on a sticker affixed to the side of the driver’s door. This should be visible when you open the door. You’ll also find tire pressure information in the owner’s manual that came with the car.
Avoid hydroplaning by remembering the following suggestions:
- Avoid puddles whenever possible.
- Reduce your speed on wet roads.
- Avoid tailgating and leave extra distance between your car and the one in front.
- Turn the cruise control off when it’s raining.
- Replace tires with worn treads that will not work correctly to displace water and prevent hydroplaning.
If your car begins to hydroplane, take your foot off the gas, but do not brake. Slowing your vehicle may let its tires push away water to give the tires contact with the pavement. Wait until you feel as though the tires have regained traction before attempting to brake or steer.
When accidents happen, contact a Tampa personal injury lawyer
Whether you’re injured in an unusual car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to be compensated for losses caused by the harm done to you. Contact the experienced car accident attorneys at Tampa’s outstanding personal injury law firm, KFB Law, for a free consultation.
