Causes of Car Accidents in Aventura

Causes of Car Accidents in Aventura

Aventura is a small city on the east coast of Florida—about 3.52 miles square—and there are many people packed in that small space. The city features single-family homes, condominiums, apartments, restaurants, a shopping mall, and a water park.

Additionally, it has two major roads that cross the river onto the spit of land that contains more homes, businesses, and Atlantic beaches. Even during the winter months, the area sees a lot of traffic. Because of the number of vehicles that travel through the area, including the residential areas, you have a higher risk of getting into a car accident.

And, when tourist season hits in the spring, more vehicles are on the roads. Many tourists have never been to Aventura or have been there once or twice and do not know the roads well. That is another factor that increases the risk of getting into a car accident, no matter how careful you are.

Types of Car Accidents in Aventura

Car accidents in Aventura come in many forms, and you can see all of them in this small city. The most common is one passenger vehicle hitting another.

However, because of the location of the city and the large number of businesses and tourists, you will also see:

• Commercial vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Passenger vehicles hitting other passenger vehicles of various sizes, including full-size pickup trucks
• Single-vehicle accidents
• Multi-vehicle accidents

The severity of the accident often depends—at least partially—on the type of accident. For example, a passenger car might tangle with a commercial vehicle, such as a garbage truck or a tractor-trailer. It will not fare as well as it would if it crashed with another vehicle that is close to the same size and weight.

Car Accidents Are the Leading Cause of Death in Children and Young Adults in Florida

For parents and guardians in Aventura, Florida, and beyond, it's a horrifying and heartbreaking statistic: car accidents are the leading cause of death in children and young adults across our state. Each year, families are shattered as we lose our youngest and brightest in preventable car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, thousands of children aged 14 or younger are involved in fatal car accidents nationwide every year.

Unfortunately, Florida consistently ranks high among states with the most fatal car accidents involving minors. As per the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, out of the 313,316 traffic crash-related injuries reported in 2019, about 20% included ages 0–20. Young adults aren't spared either. Reports show that motor vehicle crash fatalities are the leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 5 and 24.

In Aventura, children and young adults face unique dangers. Anyone who commutes along Highway I95 will travel through multiple school zones, where drivers often blatantly ignore the speed limits. Biscayne Blvd. is another hotspot for accidents involving young people, with multiple elementary schools converging around the Town Center Aventura shopping mall. If you or someone you love suffers an accident in these areas, it’s likely that you’ll face injuries requiring substantial care, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to traumatic brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, or even death.

Causes of Car Accidents in Aventura and Surrounding Areas

No matter how careful you are, whether you are driving, biking, or walking, you cannot control others’ behavior. Sometimes, another driver will come right at you, and you simply do not have time to move out of the way. Other times, other traffic blocks you in, so you cannot move to avoid that driver hitting your vehicle.

If the cause of the accident was the other driver’s negligence, you could recover compensation for your injuries.

Common causes of car accidents include:

Distracted Driving

This is a significant problem everywhere, and Aventura is no exception. With attractions like Aventura Mall, Country Club Drive Circle, and Waterways Shoppes, drivers often get distracted while attempting to locate parking spaces, interacting with their GPS, or observing the exciting cityscape rather than focusing on the road.

Drunk Driving (DUI)

Unfortunately, as in other cities across Florida and nationwide, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs leads to slowed reaction times. Drugged and drunk driving frequently leads to car accidents in Aventura, particularly around areas with a high concentration of eateries and clubs, such as Biscayne Boulevard.

Driving While Fatigued

Aventura's busy lifestyle might lead to individuals driving while fatigued, increasing the chances of an accident. This factor is especially dangerous on high-traffic roads such as William Lehman Causeway and Biscayne Boulevard.

Reckless or Aggressive Driving

The congested roads around major Aventura landmarks, including Founders Park and Gulfstream Park, can often lead to short tempers and aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, speeding, and abrupt lane changes, resulting in accidents.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Like many coastal towns, Aventura experiences severe weather conditions that could lead to faster wear and tear on vehicles, contributing to accidents if vehicles aren't properly maintained. Burst tires or failed brakes are crucial examples.

Medical Emergencies

Sudden medical emergencies while driving can cause accidents on busy routes, particularly in areas close to medical facilities, such as Aventura Hospital and Medical Center on Dixie Highway.

Disregarding Traffic Signals

Ignoring traffic signals and running red lights cause accidents in Aventura, especially in congested intersections, such as Biscayne Boulevard and William Lehman Causeway or 188th Street and Biscayne Boulevard.

Faulty Vehicle Repairs 

Occasionally, defective parts or improper repairs can lead to vehicle malfunction, resulting in accidents. This factor could be particularly hazardous on high-speed routes such as Ives Dairy Road or on the heavily trafficked West Dixie Highway.

Accidents Due to Third-Party Influence

Sometimes, a third party's actions, such as reckless driving or an abrupt stop, can cause another vehicle to collide with you, especially in areas with heavy, fast-moving traffic, such as NE 29th Avenue or Aventura Boulevard.

Who Can I Hold Responsible for My Car Accident Injuries?

In some cases, you can hold the driver who hit you at fault. In other cases, you can hold the driver at fault and others who caused your injuries and other damages.

An experienced car accident attorney tracks down all the parties who they can hold responsible for your injuries, including, but not limited to:

• A trucking company.
• An independent owner-operator who leases the truck out.
• An auto technician who installed parts wrong.
• Vehicle or truck manufacturers.
• Trailer manufacturers.
• Commercial truck inspectors.
• Third-party dispatchers.
• Road maintenance crews at the federal, state, county, and local municipality levels.
• The person who caused the initial accident in a multi-car pileup.
• The person who caused additional accidents in a multi-car pileup after the initial accident.
• In some states, the person or establishment who served liquor to someone who was already intoxicated.

These are just some of the people and things that could cause an accident. Car accident lawyers investigate cases to determine and locate all those who could share in the responsibility for your injuries.

Recovering Damages After an Aventura Motor Vehicle Accident

To recover damages after a car accident, you must be able to prove the at-fault driver was negligent. In some states, you can also recover punitive damages if you are able to prove the at-fault driver’s actions or inaction were grossly negligent or intentional. An Aventura car accident attorney can help you build a strong case for maximum compensation. 

Types of Recoverable Damages

You could recover two types of damages: Compensatory damages and punitive damages. Compensatory damages include two categories: Economic damages and non-economic damages. The court orders compensatory damages in an attempt to make you financially whole again. The court orders punitive damages as a punishment for the defendant’s grossly negligent or intentional behavior that caused your injuries and other damages.

ECONOMIC DAMAGES

Sometimes referred to as special damages, economic damages have a monetary value. Most accident victims recover economic damages, which include:

MEDICAL EXPENSES

The at-fault driver can be held responsible for paying medical expenses, whether they come out of your pocket or your insurance company pays for them. In cases where the at-fault driver caused catastrophic injuries, you might have expenses for life.

Medical expenses include:

• Doctors’ appointments

• Surgeries and follow-up appointments
• Prescriptions and prescribed over-the-counter medications
• Ambulatory aids
• Medical equipment such as oxygen tanks
• Physical therapy appointments
• Occupational therapy appointments
• Psychological therapy appointments
• Cognitive therapy appointments
• Hand controls for your vehicles
• Wheelchair ramps and lifts for your vehicle
• Updates to your home, including but not limited to widened doorways, wheelchair ramps, handrails, and grab bars

Loss of income

If you are unable to work due to accident injuries, whether for a day or three, you could recover lost income. If your injuries cause disabilities that prevent you from working for the rest of your life, you could recover compensation for loss of earning capacity.

Even if you can work only part-time, you could recover the loss of earning capacity for the difference in your salary or wages.

PERSONAL PROPERTY

You can also recover compensation to reimburse you for damaged or destroyed personal property, including your vehicle and anything of value inside the vehicle—for example, cell phones, computers, or even dry cleaning damaged or destroyed in the wreck.

DEATH-RELATED EXPENSES

If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you could recover death-related expenses, including funeral and burial expenses, cremation expenses, certain probate court expenses, and probate attorney’s fees and costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Sometimes referred to as general damages, non-economic damages do not have a monetary value and include:

• Pain and suffering, including emotional distress.
• Loss of quality of life if you have to make lifelong changes, such as using ambulatory aids or taking prescription drugs.
• Loss of companionship if you can no longer enjoy time with your family, including attending family activities and events.
• Loss of consortium if you can no longer have a physical relationship with your spouse.
• Loss of use of a bodily function, such as your hearing, eyesight, or bladder.
• Loss of use of a body part, such as a foot or a finger.
• Amputation of a digit or limb.
• Inconvenience if you have to hire someone to do the chores you usually do, including but not limited to grocery shopping, lawn maintenance, house cleaning, and home repair and maintenance.
• Excessive scarring and/or disfigurement.

Punitive Damages

If the court finds that the defendant’s actions or inaction were grossly negligent or intentional, you could recover punitive damages to punish the perpetrator.

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in an Aventura car accident, contact a car accident lawyer for your free case evaluation.

Call Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, if an Aventura Auto Accident Injured You

These are just a few of the causes of automobile accidents that occur in Aventura and beyond. If you have been injured in an accident due to the negligence or carelessness of another driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Our experienced Aventura auto accident attorneys can help you to determine what your legal options are. To schedule your free consultation and case evaluation, contact us at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA, online or by calling (954) 302-7068.

Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
20803 Biscayne Boulevard Suite 101,
Aventura, FL 33180
(954) 302-7068

What Our Clients Have to Say:

“So happy I chose Dolman Law Group!!! My experience with the law firm right from the start was fast, friendly and understanding. I started treatment for my injury right away, and while I was focusing on getting better the firm was fighting for me. Incredibly happy with the outcome, thank you to Brent and the team for all the hard work and updates.”

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Chelsey Lambert
January 2019
Read more reviews on Google!