St. Augustine, Florida, Auto Accident Injury Compensation Blog

South Florida is a popular place for tourists and locals alike to have a good time. Whether it is at the beach, a night out on the town, or at a party, many people will raise a glass and toast to good friends and good times. However, according to a recent report, more people in the Miami-Dade area are finding a responsible way to get home when too much drinking has led to intoxication.

Over the past four years, drunk driving arrests have gone down significantly in the Miami-Dade area. The number of drivers arrested for DUI dropped 65 percent in 2017 from 2013. More than 1,500 drivers in Miami-Dade were arrested for DUI between 2013 and 2015. However, in 2017, that number sat at just under 600. Also, Miami police arrested just over 460 drivers for drunk driving in 2013. However, by 2015, that number dropped 31 percent and has stayed there.

Residents of St. Augustine may not see much wintery weather. However, heavy rain could occur any time of the year in Florida. Driving in a torrential downpour can be difficult. When one's visibility is reduced, it is important to drive with due care, even if this means driving under the speed limit. Speeding or failing to pay attention to those around you could result in a car accident.

For example, a massive car crash involving 45 vehicles recently occurred on Interstate 10 in Tallahassee. The accident began when a semi-truck swerved to avoid an automobile during a heavy rainstorm. The semi-truck jackknifed, leading to the pile-up. Five semi-trucks were involved in the collision, and eight people suffered injuries. A motorcyclist sustained critical injuries in the accident. In total, 18 separate collisions occurred.

The Sunshine State is well known for its many tourist attractions and pleasant temperatures during the winter months. This means that many people flock to Florida in the summer as tourists or in the winter as a way to escape the cold. Whether one is a resident of the state, a tourist or a "snow bird," it is not unusual for people in Florida to take to the streets on foot, despite the fact that Florida has the dubious honor of being one of the most dangerous states for pedestrians.

The Florida legislature addressed this issue in 1984 by enacting a law that mandated that most road construction projects must include routes for pedestrians and bicyclists. Over three decades later, a study was conducted by a researcher at the University of Georgia to determine whether this law made the state safer for pedestrians.

Summer fun means different things to different people. For some people, it means taking a road trip or going camping. To others, it is simply spending the day at the beach or pool. Whatever the occasion, people in Florida will often toast to summer with a drink or two. However, when one drink becomes two and then three or more, a person can easily become drunk. Intoxicated people do not always make responsible decisions, and one of the worst decisions they can make is to try to drive while drunk.

Drunk driving accidents can be more serious than those involving sober drivers. After causing a crash, a drunk driver might be argumentative or might not even be aware of the damage they inflicted on others. It is important that victims of drunk driving accidents do what is necessary to protect their rights as they seek compensation.