A serious car accident on the Florida Turnpike left a Miami-Dade police sergeant injured late at night on November 18. The accident occurred when the officer was attempting to avoid a vehicle stopped in the roadway that had been involved in another crash. The officer’s patrol car struck a highway guardrail before careening into another vehicle.
The officer survived the crash and was brought to a local trauma center for treatment of head wounds. No one else was hurt in the accident.
This accident highlights the need for safety precautions after an accident. It is important to always notify police immediately following any accident. Had the officer known about the earlier accident, he may have been able to avoid his own crash. Additionally, the presence of other police vehicles at the scene would have served as a warning of a potentially dangerous situation to any other drivers approaching the scene.
When a crash occurs at night, it is extremely important to set up a reflective triangle or a road flare if possible. These warning devices help approaching drivers take note of the accident scene. Making sure oncoming traffic sees you is important for both your safety and the safety of everyone else on the roadway.
For this reason, your vehicle’s safety kit should always include a triangle, road flares and a flashlight. There are many types of road triangles available for purchase, ranging from inexpensive collapsible models to more sophisticated battery-operated versions with LED lights.
When no other safety devices are available, you may be able to make use of your vehicle’s hazard lights. These lights are typically operated by pressing a button inside the car marked with two concentric triangles in bright orange or appearing on a bright orange background.
After calling the police and getting to safety, you should consider speaking with an experienced car accident attorney. To learn your rights and your options after a Florida vehicle accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at the Bradenton firm of Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh.