Another car. Another canal. Another rescue.
The Miami car accident lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, understands that motorists lose control of their vehicles and plunge into canals almost on a regular basis. This time, it happened in West Miami-Dade, where rescue crews were called out late Tuesday night after a car plunged into a canal near Southwest 8th Street and 147th Avenue. According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, one person was pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital.
Local news cameras at the scene showed a damaged guardrail, hinting that the car may have veered off the road before crashing through and ending up submerged.
So, what happened?
Authorities haven’t said what caused this specific crash yet. Investigators are still working to piece it all together, and the extent of the victim’s injuries hasn’t been released. But this isn’t a rare story. In fact, crashes like this happen all the time in Miami-Dade and Broward.
And it’s got a lot of people asking the same question:
Why are cars constantly ending up in canals across South Florida?
The Real Reasons Behind All These Canal Crashes
Here’s the truth—South Florida’s roads are dangerous, especially when you mix in heavy traffic, narrow lanes, and hundreds of miles of canals with little to no protection.
Let’s break it down:
1. Canals Are Everywhere—And Roads Run Right Beside Them
South Florida is covered in canals, especially across Miami-Dade and Broward. These man-made waterways are often right next to major roads and intersections, and in many spots, there’s barely a guardrail protecting drivers from going over the edge.
One wrong move? And your car is in the water.
2. Poor Lighting at Night
A lot of these roads—especially outside of downtown areas—have minimal street lighting. Combine that with a sharp turn or a driver unfamiliar with the area, and it’s a recipe for disaster.
3. High Speeds and Distracted Driving
Speeding, texting while driving, or just losing focus for a second can be all it takes. If a driver swerves to avoid something or drifts a few feet too far, there’s often no margin for error near canal-adjacent roads.
4. Slippery Roads and Sudden Storms
Rain hits fast in Florida, and roads near canals often flood or become slippery in an instant. Hydroplaning or sudden braking can cause cars to lose control—and there’s not always enough room to recover.
What Kinds of Injuries Happen in These Crashes?
Even when someone survives a car plunging into a canal, the aftermath can be physically and emotionally devastating.
Here are some of the most common injuries drivers and passengers may face:
- Head injuries or concussions from the initial impact
- Spinal cord injuries from jarring movement or force
- Broken bones, especially arms, legs, ribs, and hips
- Soft tissue injuries like whiplash, sprains, and bruising
- Lung damage or near-drowning injuries from inhaling water
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD from the experience of being trapped
In some tragic cases, victims don’t make it out in time. That’s why every second counts when it comes to canal crashes.
So, What Can Be Done?
South Florida residents have been raising the alarm for years, asking for:
- Stronger and taller guardrails along canal roads
- Better street lighting in high-risk areas
- Lower speed limits or more warning signs near curves
- More education on how to escape a submerged vehicle
Until then, we’ll likely continue to see headlines like this. One more car in a canal. One more person fighting for their life.
Stay safe out there, Miami.
If you drive near canals—especially at night—slow down, stay alert, and never drive distracted.
It only takes one moment to change everything.
