When you think of Florida, you probably envision sunny days and beaches. However, Florida, especially the Miami-Dade area, can also be known for dangerous roads and accidents, some of them fatal.

Florida's Deadly Car Crash Rate

Florida has one of the highest fatal crash rates in the country, ranking 2.8 of all U.S. states. In 2020 the state had 341,320 crashes and 3,343 fatalities. Florida is the only state with more than 1000 fatal car crashes annually.

The reasons for this are a combination of a heavy volume of congested traffic and unsafe driving behaviors such as speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and distracted driving.

Why Miami-Dade County?

Miami-Dade County is the highest populated county in the state, with more than 2.7 million people. It is also the deadliest, with the highest number of crashes. The dangerous roads are not just highways but also city streets and side roads. Many of the fatal crashes occur on local roads.

Some of the lower-income areas of Miami-Dade tend to have more automobile fatalities than more prosperous parts of the state.

What Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Miami-Dade County?

The list of the most dangerous roads in Miami-Dade County include:

I-95 - The most dangerous highway in the state of Florida is I-95. The I-95 experiences daily heavy traffic from commuters and is considered the most deadly. In 2015, Florida saw 14 fatal crashes in this small section of I-95. At the time, that was eight times more than the national average.

U.S. Route 1 - Another very deadly highway in Florida is U.S. Route 1. Route 1 runs up the entire East Coast into Canada, totaling 2,369 miles, with 500 of them in Florida. The section that runs through Florida has other names such as the Dixie Highway, South Dixie Highway, and Biscayne Boulevard. Regardless of what it is called, it is one of the deadliest roads in the state, with more than 1000 crashes to its name and as many fatalities.

State Road 826/Palmetto Expressway - State Road 826, also known as the Palmetto Expressway, has also claimed a number of lives. It is one of the busiest roads traveled by commuters, and more traffic equals more accidents. This road leads to Miami, Hialeah, and the Miami Lakes region, which is why it is so frequented. The most popular area is the Palmetto Expressway section. The state is adding new lanes to try and lessen the congestion and save lives.

State Road 821/Florida Turnpike - Also known as the Ronald Reagan Turnpike and the (Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike) HEFT, State Road 821 is another deadly road in Miami-Dade County. The reasons why are heavy traffic, fast drivers, and debris from trucks. This particular road sees an average of 1.5 million travelers per day.

What to Do if You Have an Accident in Miami-Dade County

One of the first things to do after an accident is to assess your physical condition. Do you need medical attention? If so, get help immediately. Call 911 if you can.

If you are physically able, take photos of the accident scene and notes about what happened. Take pictures of the road to show the weather conditions and surrounding areas. If you see witnesses nearby, speak to them and take down their contact information. Be sure to make a note of the date and time the accident occurred.

In addition to photos and witnesses, take down the driver's name and contact details. Speak to the other driver and get their name, address, phone number, and insurance company information. Finally, take down the license plate information for all vehicles involved in the accident.

Contact your lawyer to seek legal representation. You may have hidden injuries that you are not aware of which will require treatment. You will want to be sure you are adequately represented in this matter.