Car accidents are not random events. Instead, they result from a combination of factors, including weather, road conditions, and driver behavior. When you superimpose traffic crash data onto a map, you will find that these factors come together on certain roads and intersections.
The most dangerous roads and intersections in Gainesville, FL, tend to have high speed limits, heavy traffic, and poor traffic controls. These areas amplify bad driving behaviors and increase the risk of a collision with a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle.
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers helps victims recover compensation from the drivers who cause these crashes. If you need assistance, contact our Gainesville personal injury lawyers at (877) 255-3652 for a free initial consultation.
How Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help You After an Auto Accident in Gainesville, FL
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers was founded in 2007 to provide legal representation to injured clients in Gainesville, Florida. The firm’s Gainesville car accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined legal experience. Over their careers, our attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for crash victims.
If someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions injure you, we provide the following services:
- Giving a free consultation to listen to your story and analyze your options
- Collecting records, accident reports, and other evidence for your case
- Filing an insurance claim and negotiating with the insurer to settle it
- Taking your case to court if we cannot reach a fair settlement
Car accidents can cause painful and disabling injuries. Contact our Gainesville personal injury attorneys to discuss your car crash injuries and how we can fight for compensation on your behalf under Florida law.
How Dangerous Are Gainesville’s Roads?
Based on its population, Gainesville has relatively safe roads. According to a search on the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard, the Gainesville Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization reported 5,735 total crashes in 2023. These accidents caused 20 fatalities and 134 serious injuries.
These numbers might seem high. However, they have fallen significantly since peaking in 2016. That year, over 270 people were injured or killed in more than 8,200 traffic crashes in the Gainesville metro area. Gainesville also only accounts for a small fraction of the roughly 400,000 crashes that happen across Florida each year.
Crash Hotspots in Gainesville, FL
Crash hotspots usually have road conditions that are unforgiving of driving errors. For example, drivers who tailgate have a higher risk of causing a crash on crowded roads. Similarly, areas with complicated merges or confusing intersections tend to see more intersection accidents when distracted or impatient drivers fail to yield the right of way.
According to the Florida Traffic Safety Dashboard, crashes in 2023 clustered in the following locations:
Dangerous Roads in Gainesville
Road crashes usually result from the following driving behaviors:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Distracted driving
The accidents that result from these actions usually involve a rear-end collision or a sideswipe. Rear-end crashes happen when a vehicle plows into the back of the car in front of it. For example, a driver on a busy road might cause a rear-end collision while reading a text. Rear-end collisions can injure the spine and chest as the body whips back and forth.
Sideswipes occur when drivers move sideways into an occupied lane. These collisions usually involve relatively low crash energies. However, a vehicle occupant can still suffer harm to their head and neck in these accidents.
The following roads had crash clusters in 2023:
- I-75 across the entire county
- FL-222 east of I-75
- FL-26/University Ave.
- FL-24/SW Archer Rd.
- US-441/13th St.
Road accidents can also affect bicyclists. Many university students commute using their bikes. When a driver crowds cyclists who are riding on the shoulder or in a bike lane, they can knock the rider over or run them off the road.
Dangerous Intersections in Gainesville
Intersections are dangerous because, by their nature, road users approach from different directions. Without right-of-way rules, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists would risk their lives at every intersection.
Intersection accidents tend to happen when drivers commit the following right-of-way violations:
- Disobeying red lights and stop signs
- Failing to stop or slow down at yield signs
- Going out of turn at a multi-way stop
- Turning left in front of an approaching vehicle
- Making a right turn at a red light without waiting for a gap
These intersections were hotspots for crashes in 2023:
- FL-26/University Ave. & US-441/13th St.
- The multi-way intersection of FL-26/University Ave. & SE 11th St. & FL-24
- Main St. & FL-26/University Ave.
Intersections are also particularly dangerous for pedestrians. Many drivers fail to spot pedestrians waiting at the curb to cross the street. When they turn, they run through the occupied crosswalk, potentially hitting pedestrians.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Experienced Gainesville Car Accident Attorneys
Although location plays a role in traffic collisions, the dominant factor remains careless, distracted, or intoxicated driving. Contact Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation to learn about your legal options for pursuing compensation in Florida.