If you regularly drive the busy streets of Fort Lauderdale, it's important to be aware of the intersections that pose the greatest risk of car accidents. While every intersection requires care and defensive driving, some crossroads in the city have significantly higher rates of collisions, injuries, and fatalities.
Knowing where these dangerous intersections are located can help you drive more cautiously and avoid becoming an accident victim. However, if you are involved in a crash at one of Fort Lauderdale's most hazardous intersections, contacting a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney is the key to protecting your rights and securing fair compensation.
Oakland Park Boulevard and Powerline Road
The intersection of Oakland Park Boulevard and Powerline Road ranks as one of Fort Lauderdale's most dangerous crossings. The intersection's danger stems from heavy traffic volume, high speeds, and poor visibility.
Oakland Park Boulevard is a major east-west road that sees tens of thousands of vehicles per day. Powerline Road is a heavily traveled north-south route. Where the two roads meet, there are multiple through lanes, turn lanes, and traffic signals governing a complicated pattern of traffic flow. Drivers must rapidly process a lot of information and make split-second decisions.
Many motorists drive aggressively or recklessly, compounding the intersection's inherent hazards. Speeding, running red lights, and failing to yield the right-of-way are common factors in wrecks at Oakland Park and Powerline. Distracted driving, especially cell phone use behind the wheel, is another frequent cause of crashes.
If you suffered an injury in an accident at this intersection caused by another driver's negligence or wrongdoing, you are entitled to pursue compensation for your hospital bills, lost income, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, and other losses. An experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can investigate your case, gather evidence, deal with the insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Broward Boulevard and Andrews Avenue
Another of Fort Lauderdale's most accident-prone intersections is located downtown at Broward Boulevard and Andrews Avenue. High traffic congestion and confusion are the main factors making this intersection hazardous.
Broward Boulevard runs east-west through the heart of downtown, serving as a main traffic artery. Andrews Avenue is a one-way street feeding northbound traffic into downtown. At their intersection, Broward Boulevard has three through lanes in each direction and dedicated left turn lanes. Andrews Avenue has multiple northbound lanes. Traffic lights cycle through a complex pattern to control traffic flow in all directions.
With so many vehicles jockeying for position and forced to make quick maneuvers, this bustling intersection sees many wrecks. Many are rear-end collisions caused by following too closely or not paying attention. Illegal lane changes and improper turns also frequently lead to sideswipe and angle crashes.
When an accident happens at Broward and Andrews, the fault often rests with an impatient or careless driver who violates traffic safety laws. Victims of negligence-related crashes at this intersection should promptly contact a knowledgeable Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney to discuss their legal options. A lawyer can communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf and work to obtain full and fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Commercial Boulevard and University Drive
In northern Fort Lauderdale, the meeting of Commercial Boulevard and University Drive consistently ranks among the city's most accident-prone intersections. The intersection's dangerous reputation is due to its very high traffic volume and its confusing design.
Commercial Boulevard is an east-west highway that extends across the northern part of the city, while University Drive is a north-south roadway. At their large junction, both roads have multiple through lanes, as well as left and right turn lanes. Traffic flow is controlled by a series of traffic lights.
Adding to the confusion, several businesses are on the corners with driveways letting traffic enter and exit. Drivers crossing or turning at the intersection must quickly process all the traffic signals, lane alignments, turning traffic, and vehicles entering from side streets. In the rapid flow of heavy traffic, making a mistake or getting into a collision is easy.
Common types of crashes at Commercial and University include rear-end collisions, T-bone wrecks, sideswipes, and collisions with vehicles turning into or out of corner businesses. These accidents often result in severe injuries like concussions, broken bones, back and neck injuries, lacerations, and contusions. Tragically, fatalities also sometimes occur.
If you are hurt in a wreck at this dangerous intersection, seeking immediate medical attention for your injuries is critical. Follow your doctor's treatment plan and attend all follow-up appointments. It's also wise to speak with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss a potential injury claim and the process for pursuing the compensation you need and deserve.
A1A and East Las Olas Boulevard
The iconic intersection of A1A and East Las Olas Boulevard, where the famous Las Olas strip meets the beach, is one of Fort Lauderdale's most recognizable landmarks. Unfortunately, it's also one of the city's biggest hotspots for car accidents, particularly at night and on weekends.
Las Olas Boulevard runs east-west through the heart of Fort Lauderdale's dining and entertainment district before dead-ending at highway A1A (also known as Seabreeze Boulevard) and the beach. At the intersection, A1A has two lanes running north-south. Stop signs control traffic on both roads.
The intersection's high concentration of accidents is largely due to the heavy pedestrian traffic, limited visibility, and high number of intoxicated drivers, especially in the evening and early morning hours. Vehicles turning onto A1A from Las Olas or exiting side streets, parking lots, and driveways frequently collide with traffic on A1A. Pedestrians are also at high risk of being struck by turning vehicles that fail to yield.
To make matters worse, many drivers are drunk or under the influence of drugs, significantly increasing the risk of crashes. The Las Olas area's party atmosphere and high density of bars and clubs means impaired driving is a major problem, especially on weekend nights.
If you suffered an injury by a drunk, distracted, or otherwise negligent driver at this busy intersection, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages can quickly add up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars after a serious wreck. To get the full compensation you deserve, you'll need a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney on your side.
Sunrise Boulevard and US 1 (Federal Highway)
The intersection of Sunrise Boulevard and US 1, also known as Federal Highway, is another notorious spot for car accidents in Fort Lauderdale. The intersection's high crash rate is primarily due to the heavy traffic volumes, high speeds, and number of lanes pedestrians must cross.
Sunrise Boulevard is a major east-west thoroughfare that runs through the heart of Fort Lauderdale. US 1 is a heavily traveled north-south highway. At their intersection, both roads have multiple lanes in each direction, along with turn lanes. Pedestrians must navigate long crosswalks spanning many lanes of traffic.
Speeding, running red lights, and failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks are frequent causes of crashes. Distracted driving is also a major problem, with many motorists looking at their phones instead of the road.
Types of Damages Available in Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Cases
Under Florida law, car accident victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party for the full extent of their losses.
This can include money for:
Medical Expenses
Any medical bills related to the accident should be covered, including emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, prescription medications, medical equipment, rehabilitation, and future medical needs. Even with health insurance, you can recover out-of-pocket costs like copays and deductibles.
Lost Income
If your injuries cause you to miss work, you can pursue compensation for your lost income and benefits. For accident victims who suffer long-term disabilities, this can include reduced earning capacity if you are unable to return to your previous job.
Property Damage
The cost to repair or replace your damaged vehicle is recoverable. You may also get compensation for damage to other personal property like cell phones, clothing, jewelry, etc.
Pain and Suffering
These damages compensate for the physical pain, emotional anguish, mental trauma, anxiety, loss of enjoyment of life, and other ways the accident negatively impacts your life. There is no precise formula, but the more severe and long-lasting your injuries, the higher the potential recovery.
Scarring and Disfigurement
If you suffered severe lacerations, burns, or other injuries that left scars or disfigurement, you can seek additional compensation for the emotional distress and embarrassment.
Punitive Damages
In rare cases involving especially egregious conduct like drunk driving, a jury may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, you can pursue wrongful death damages, including final medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, loss of the deceased's income and benefits, loss of services and support, and the mental pain and suffering of the surviving family.
An experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can evaluate your case and give you a clear picture of the types of damages you may recover. Every case is unique, so having an attorney assess your specific situation is important.
Statute of Limitations for Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Claims
One of the most important things to be aware of after a car accident is Florida's statute of limitations for filing injury claims. The statute of limitations is the legal deadline for initiating a lawsuit. If you try to file your case after the statute of limitations expires, the court will almost certainly dismiss it.
For most Fort Lauderdale car accident claims, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the crash. This means you have two years from the day of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. While this may seem like a long time, it's important not to delay taking action. Building a strong car accident claim takes time, and valuable evidence can be lost or destroyed if you wait too long.
There are a few rare exceptions that can extend the two-year statute of limitations. For example, if the at-fault driver leaves the state of Florida for a period after the crash, the clock may pause until they return. If the injured person is a minor, the two-year clock typically doesn't start running until they turn 18.
If you've suffered an injury in a wreck at one of Fort Lauderdale's most dangerous intersections, it's wise to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. A lawyer can evaluate your case, explain the filing deadlines that apply, and take quick action to preserve your right to compensation. The sooner you get an attorney involved, the sooner they can start building your case and fighting for the full value of your claim.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer Today
Driving in Fort Lauderdale requires constant vigilance and defensive driving skills, especially at the busy crossroads with the highest accident rates. No matter how cautious you are behind the wheel, however, it's impossible to control the actions of other motorists. If you suffered an injury in a crash at one of Fort Lauderdale's most dangerous intersections, the impacts can ripple through every part of your life.
After an accident, your top priorities should be getting proper medical treatment and contacting an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer to protect your rights. Insurance companies are not on your side and will try to minimize liability. An aggressive attorney can deal with the insurance adjusters, thoroughly investigate your case, and fight for the maximum compensation possible.
If you've suffered an injury at one of the hazardous Fort Lauderdale intersections discussed here or anywhere else in the city, don't hesitate to contact a skilled car accident lawyer for a free consultation. You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, lost paychecks, pain and suffering, and other losses. An attorney can evaluate your case and explain your legal options for moving forward after a serious crash.