Auto accidents are a concern in every city and state across the nation. For many, the condition of the roads is a major factor in the number of crashes with catastrophic injuries and fatalities. In Florida, the roads and bridges are well-maintained. Still, there are a troublesome number of accidents in the state. This is indicative of the myriad ways in which accidents happen.

A report from the Reason Foundation lauds the condition of Florida roads. However, these same roads are also expensive, crowded and have a significant rate of fatal accidents. Florida came in 40th in the report – the 24th such report that the Reason Foundation has created. It uses data from the individual states from 2016, the latest year in which there is information available. The dichotomy between the condition and maintenance of the roads and the number of risks on them was notable.

Florida has a solid reputation in avoiding “roughness” on the road. The condition of the state’s roads was classified “excellent” by the Federal Highway Administration. Less than 2% of the arterial roads and urban roads were deemed to be poorly maintained. The highways were also well-regarded. Part of the problem with the high number of accidents is that Florida is 11th from the bottom for congested roads. For fatal accidents, the state was ninth in the nation. For rural areas, it was third. For urban areas, it was fourth. Researchers believe distracted driving is a fundamental cause of the rising number of road deaths across the nation.

Although there are positive aspects to having roadways where there are no hidden dangers, like poor maintenance, potholes and other issues, simply keeping roads and bridges in good condition does not necessarily mean auto accidents will be avoided completely. When there is a crash, injuries and fatalities can be costly in a personal, financial and emotional way. Understanding legal options after car accidents is crucial.

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