Does South Florida Have More Personal Injury Claims in Season?

When South Florida is "in season," it means the cold temperatures are creeping in up north, while down here the cool breeze and the sunshine are at its peak. However, can our Florida weather and appealing winter cause more personal injury claims?

The truth is, during season South Florida has more people shopping at the malls, more people venturing out to eat, and more people driving. This inevitably increases everyone’s risk of being involved in an accident, consequentially submitting a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims in South Florida increase for various reasons: from the weather to the increased population, the buzz of the season doesn’t come without its consequences.

South Florida Weather

Most people don’t consider South Florida weather to be a hazard during winter. After all, it is often met with clear skies and sunny mornings. However, light showers and cloudy days are not uncommon throughout winter in Florida. Moreover, believe it or not, rain is not the main weather condition associated with car accidents in South Florida. Here’s a breakdown of car accidents and weather conditions in 2017, according to the Florida's Integrated Report Exchange System report:

• Clear: 77.78%
• Cloudy: 13.44%
• Rain: 7.78%

While South Florida weather might be a blessing for travelers and snowbirds running away from icy roads, the increase in drivers during the season impacts car accidents, regardless of weather.

Snowbirds, Tourists & Travelers in Season

Every winter South Florida gears up to receive anywhere from 900,000 to 1 million snowbirds, increasing the state’s population by 5 percent. This number doesn't include tourists, which in 2017 estimated about 28,857 visits during the fourth quarter, according to Visit Florida reports.

The South Florida season expands for seven months, starting in late September-early October when winter starts creeping in northern states, and ending by April/May when the warm weather begins back up north. The influx of snowbirds, tourists, and travelers during season shows in personal injury claim spikes during these months.

There is no doubt more drivers on the roads increases your chances of being in a car accident. Not to mention, more drivers unfamiliar with the roads, unversed in Florida driving laws, and distracted drivers listening to their GPS directions are also risk factors.
Here are some things to remember while driving in South Florida during the season:

• Do not tailgate
• Drive defensively
• Do not get impatient
• Stay alert for sudden lane changes
• Remember to check your blind spots
• Avoid motorists who are driving too slow or changing lanes constantly

However, car accidents cannot always be prevented. However, you can still protect your rights by contacting a trusted auto accident attorney in South Florida after your accident.

The Impact on Personal Injury Claims

More motorists on the roads, more unfamiliar drivers trying to navigate through the many South Florida roadways. On paper, the influx of visitors from other states and overseas is a recipe for more personal injury claims.

The impact snowbirds and more visitors have on personal injury claims is undeniable. Looking at the South Florida season as starting in October and ending in May, here’s how the numbers show the impact on personal injury claims:

• In 2017, from August to October car accidents increased by 8.82%. As the number of temporary-residents rises, as well as the number of drivers on the roads, there’s an evident spike in car accidents in season.
• In 2017, from April to May car accidents decreased by 5.88%. Considering April is the month snowbirds start going back home, it is impressive to see the decline in car accidents just one month after.
• In 2017, from the third to fourth quarter car accidents increased by 10.4%. Even when we look at car accidents trends by quarter, the one with the highest number of car accidents recorded was the fourth quarter (October to December), with 106,000 accidents. This was immediately followed by the first quarter from January to March with 102,000 accidents.

Be prepared and alert for this season. If you or someone you know is involved in a crash in South Florida, getting medical care and contacting a personal injury attorney are the only ways to protect your rights.