Why Is the I-4 One of the Most Dangerous Highways in America?
Unfortunately, traffic accidents happen every day, with many resulting in injury and death. According to the National Safety Council, in 2018, around 40,000 people lost their lives in a collision. Although the overall number of fatalities declined by 1% from 2017, Florida, with 3,325 fatal roadway crashes, had an 8% increase.
Many car accidents occur on U.S. highways, and unfortunately, Florida’s I-4 was identified as the most dangerous one in America. The 132-mile road stretches from Tampa to Daytona, and between 2011 and 2015, 1.25 deaths occurred for each mile. That’s 165 traffic fatalities over 4 years.
Millions of Drivers Per Year on the I-4
One factor that can account for the increased fatalities is the number of drivers on the I-4. In 2016, nearly 201,000 motorists were on the highway per day. What makes this one of the busiest interstates in the country is the fact that millions of tourists use it every year to get to the theme parks in Orlando, which was one of the cities on the I-4 with the most number of traffic fatalities.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Adding to the dangers on the highway is distracted driving – any activity that causes a person to take their attention away from the road. According to the Florida Department of Highways Safety and Motor Vehicles, in 2018, over 50,000 car accidents were caused by distracted drivers, and 233 resulted in fatalities. With the substantial number of drivers on the I-4, many of them could be reaching for their phones or engaging in other behavior, such as having a conversation with a passenger, and not paying attention to the traffic in front of them.
Schedule a Free Consultation with The Berman Law Group
If a driver is distracted, and their negligence causes a car accident, they could be held liable for damages. If you were injured in a collision that was no fault of your own, contact us to discuss your legal options. The amount an insurance company will pay out for injuries depends on the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage, and we will fight to recover just compensation on your behalf.
To get started on your case, call us at (800) 375-5555 or contact us online.
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About The Author
Russell Berman
Russell Berman is a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He graduated from the University of Miami School of Business with majors in Finance and Business Law, and a Minor in Real Estate (B.A. December 2000). Mr. Berman received his Juris Doctor in May 2003 from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, five years after graduating from high school. Mr. Berman focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury and personal injury protection claims, and he has successfully litigated and managed thousands of claims, recovering millions of dollars in personal injury protection benefits afforded by Automobile Insurance Policies, Medical Doctors, Doctors of Chiropractic, MRI facilities, Orthopedists, and Licensed Massage Therapists.