Car Accidents in Oakland Park

This article is by Sagi Shaked, a lawyer specializing in car accidents in Miami, Florida. Oakland Park is making waves in Florida. The suburban city, situated just north of Fort Lauderdale, is growing in popularity. This is thanks, in part, to efforts made by the city itself to become one of the top destinations in the state. However, it’s important to consider how a surge in population and tourism has affected Oakland Park and the surrounding areas.

In recent years, the rate of car accidents in the city has been on the rise.

Oakland Park Car Accident Statistics

Car accidents have increased significantly since Oakland Park began to rise in popularity.

Fatal Car Accidents in Oakland Park

Fatal Car Accidents:  In 2013, there was only one reported fatal car accident in the city. This was significantly lower than the state average. Just one year later in 2014, there were 9 reported fatal crashes in Oakland Park. This was significantly higher than the state average.

Drunk Driving Accidents: In 2013, there were no reported fatal car accidents involving a drunk driver. In 2014, however, there was one fatal car accident involving a drunk driver. This could be due to the fact that Oakland Park’s downtown scene began to come into its own at this time. With the culinary scene on the rise, more bars and restaurants began to open.

Car Accident Fatalities: Car accidents don’t happen in a vacuum. Other vehicles and/or pedestrians are often involved. In 2013, there was 1 fatality related to car accidents in Oakland Park. By 2014, there were 10 fatalities related to car accidents in Oakland Park. Pedestrians accounted for 6 of those deaths.

When Do Car Accidents Happen Most Frequently in Oakland Park?

Accidents happen year-round. However, statistics gathered between 1994 and 2014 indicate that accidents in Oakland Park tend to spike during certain months, days, and times.

Months With the Most Accidents: April is the most dangerous month on the roads in Oakland Park. December, January, and November are not far behind.

Months With the Fewest Accidents: Accidents happen least frequently during the month of October. Other months that tend to register the fewest number of accident reports include June, September, and May.

Days With the Most Accidents: Sunday is the most dangerous day on the roads in Oakland Park. Monday and Saturday are not far behind.

Days With the Fewest Accidents: Friday is (perhaps surprisingly) the safest day to travel around Oakland Park. Wednesday and Thursday also tend to record fewer accidents than most other days.

Nights Are More Dangerous: Most accidents in Oakland Park also happen at night. At night, visibility is limited and drivers are more likely to be tired and/or intoxicated. More than 57 percent of all crashes reported in Oakland Park between 1994 and 2014 happened after dark. It’s interesting to note that on Sundays – the day with the highest accident rate – the majority crashes happen in the morning.

Dangerous Intersections In and Near Oakland Park

Approximately 40 percent of all car accidents occur at or near an intersection. Florida is known for having some of the most dangerous intersections in the country. Many of those dangerous intersections are in Broward County and just a stone’s throw from Oakland Park.

The most dangerous intersections near Oakland Park include:

• Sunrise Boulevard and Andrew Avenue (Fort Lauderdale)
• Pines Boulevard and Flamingo Road (Pembroke Pines)
• A1A and Las Olas Boulevard (Fort Lauderdale)
• West Oakland Park Boulevard and NW 50th Avenue (Lauderdale Lakes)
• U.S. 27 and Griffin Road (Southwest Ranches)
• Atlantic Boulevard and U.S. 1 (Pompano Beach), and
• NE 26th Street and Federal Highway (Fort Lauderdale).

As Oakland Park continues to increase in popularity, it’s possible that its own intersections will become more dangerous. In fact, two intersections in Oakland Park are already ranked in the 181 most dangerous places in Florida for pedestrians. FL-811 & E Commercial Blvd is the 83rd most dangerous intersection for pedestrians in the state. N Andrews Ave & NW 38th St is the 150th most dangerous place for pedestrians in Florida.

Understanding Your Options If You’re Involved in an Oakland Park Crash

Car accidents are happening more frequently in Oakland Park. If you’re involved in a crash it’s important for you to understand your legal rights and options. The time following an accident can be incredibly stressful and you may not know where to begin. Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney who is familiar with car accident cases is a great place to start.

When you hire an attorney they’ll handle all aspects of your legal case. They’ll deal with insurance companies and make sure that your rights are protected. A thorough investigation will help to uncover the cause(s) of your accident. Determining the cause will allow your attorney to determine who is at fault. Your attorney will then pursue compensation from anyone who caused you harm. This will help to maximize your award if your damages exceed insurance policy limits.