Recent Wrecks in Sumter County Attributed to Slick Roads

The Florida Highway Patrol believes wet roads are to blame for a series of collisions in Sumter County that caused the northbound side of Interstate-75 to be shut down for nearly two hours Sunday.

According to reports, FHP responded to a crash scene of 11 wrecks around 2:30 p.m. involving 27 cars.

While no fatalities or serious injuries were reported, seven people suffered minor injuries and were taken to hospitals, including Leesburg Regional Medical Center and The Villages Regional Hospital.

The northbound lanes were reopened shortly after 4:30 p.m.

The FHP department spokesman claims wet roads and rain played a major role in determining the cause of the pileup.

While Florida is known for its beautiful weather and year-round sunny skies, The Villages and the rest of the state is susceptible to heavy rains, high winds and fog. Florida is no stranger to substantial amounts of rain, and too many drivers can suffer injuries in car accidents due to other motorists failing to exercise certain safety precautions when traveling in inclement weather conditions. Unfortunately, bad weather can serve as a gateway for bad driving. In fact, certain areas throughout Florida can see up to 100 inches of rainfall in just one calendar year. Heavy rains can create various problems for Florida drivers, including:

• Visibility
• Vehicle performance
• Travel speeds
• Pavement friction
• Car-to-car distance

According to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 32, 465 crashes occurred in 2010 when road conditions were slippery and wet. Of these, 252 were fatal collisions. Another 17, 681 of these collisions resulted in some sort of injury.

Navigating Florida’s roads in the midst of a torrential down is difficult enough. Trying to maneuver safely around other motorists driving recklessly or negligently can make driving in bad weather even more dangerous. Bad weather should not be a cause of accidents, however when combined with reckless driving patterns, the results can be deadly. Speeding, texting and tailgating in bad weather conditions can amplify hazardous conditions and puts everyone on the road in danger.

When you or someone you love is injured in a car wreck due to another person’s carelessness, you could be entitled to compensation for damages related to the accident. However, the last thing you want to do is take on the insurance company alone. You have rights set in place to protect your best interests, and the insurance company could try and keep you from receiving full compensation. The best way to make sure you receive the full amount you are entitled to is to contact the Florida Auto Accident and Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton. We will fight for what is fair for you and your family.

If you or someone you care for has been injured in an inclement weather car wreck in Marion, Lake or Sumter County, contact The Villages Automobile Accident Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call 352-369-5334.