For several years, Miami-Dade County ranked 1st among Florida's most dangerous places for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Driving in Florida is challenging; time and money wasted in traffic mean nothing compared to the accident risks drivers expose themselves to. One in six Florida car accidents occur in Miami, and intersections are often the scene where these happen.
Every intersection is dangerous or potentially dangerous because, unfortunately, in Florida, drivers try to beat red lights all the time.
They frequently ignore the traffic signals. They just rush to reach their destination, regardless of what is going on around them.
Often, people see the yellow light when they approach the intersection, but the light turns red as they proceed. At the same time, a driver who sees the green light enters the same intersection, and the two vehicles collide. Typically, the driver who ran the red light will say that the signals were yellow when they were driving through the intersection. In fact, the evidence will show that the lights were yellow a few seconds before that.
All intersections are different and present their specific accident risk factors, such as:
- Regular sun glare
- Blind spots
- Multiple lanes or roads intersecting
- High traffic levels
- Lack of lane markers
- Obscured road signs
- Poorly maintained roads
- Improper lighting
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
What Intersections Should You Try to Avoid in Miami?
Intersection collisions in Miami are prevalent, and they cause numerous victims each year. These collisions can cause severe physical injuries because the drivers' speed when approaching the intersection is usually high as they are trying to escape the red light. Therefore, it's essential to pay particular attention to these circumstances.
Here are some of Miami's most dangerous intersections, where collisions often occur:
- US1 in the Coral Gables area
- West Kendall SW 17th Ave and Kendall Drive
- 37th Ave South Dixie Highway and 40th Street
- NE First Avenue and NE Sixth Street
- NE Second Avenue and 36th Street
- NW 20th Street and NW 22nd Avenue
- NW 22nd Avenue and NW 62nd Street
- SW 117th Avenue and 152nd Street in South Miami-Dade
- The Brickell Avenue Bridge
- SW 117 Avenue and SW 152 Street in Kendall
- SW 117 Avenue and SW 72 Street in Kendall
- SW 137 Avenue and SW 56 Street in Kendall
- SW 137 Avenue and SW 88 Street in Kendall
Miami's worst intersections for cyclists are:
- North Miami at Griffing Boulevard and NE 125th Street
- NE Second Avenue and NE Sixth Street
- Eighth Street and Ocean Drive in South Beach
In Miami-Dade County, there have been more than 12K reported accidents in the express lanes over the past three years. Express lanes, unfortunately, have created hazardous and unnecessary conditions for drivers and have been the subject of intense debate and criticism since the state installed them in 2009. The lanes lack proper shoulders and are cut off from the rest of the highway only by plastic barriers. They require a mounted SunPass transponder, and the cost varies; during rush hour, tolls can top $10.
Traffic analysts say the barriers don't alleviate traffic, and safety experts also say that the fees and porous barriers encourage "lane diving." On busy highways like Interstate 95, drivers in that lane realize they need to exit quickly, and so they swerve over the poles, cross four or five lanes of traffic, and cause accidents. Lane-diving can often lead to significant accidents because unsuspecting commuters typically have no idea if a car is about to burst through the poles.
The bottom line is that Miami's intersections are some of the most dangerous places for drivers. The most important thing you can do to mitigate the risks is to pay more attention while driving:
- Try to avoid distractions
- Focus on the road
- Be careful when approaching any aforementioned intersection
- Take into account the prescribed speed limits
Injured in a Car Accident in Miami? We Can Help!
The main cause of car accidents in Miami is reckless driving. If the other driver's negligence causes an accident that results in physical and material damage, you are entitled to file a car accident claim.
To increase your chances of having a successful claim, you should let an experienced car accident lawyer represent you. The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary can help you gather the necessary evidence that will support your case and maximize your chance of recovering rightful compensation. We can gather accurate proof because now there are video cameras in many intersections. Accessing these recordings allows us to determine which driver is at fault and how severe the negligence on their part is.