Florida car accidents cause incredible destruction and tragedy each year. The number of deaths decreased from 2021 to 2022, but thousands of people lost their lives on our state’s roads. Understanding Florida car accident statistics is critical to trying to stay safe.
The Florida car accident attorneys with the law firm of Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia can help if you’ve suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a vehicle accident caused by someone else. We’ll work passionately to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your suffering. Please call (800) 320-HELP or use our online form to schedule a free consultation.
Car Accident Statistics in Florida
There were about 400,000 Florida car accidents on average between 2018 and 2022. During those five years, an average of 3,391 people died, and 245,541 suffered severe injuries. Florida typically ranks among the states with the highest number of car accident fatalities, but that’s more a function of our population.
Texas and California, the other two most populous states, also typically rank high. When comparing death rates per 100,000 population, Florida isn’t quite as high on the list. Our death rate in 2021 was 16, which ranked No. 23. Mississippi’s death rate was 26.2.
Causes of Car Accidents in Florida
Florida car accidents occur for many reasons. Here are three of the most common:
Distracted Driving
Looking out the window while driving can be easy in a state as beautiful as ours. Since we have so many tourists who aren’t familiar with our roads, it’s not unusual for them to check their GPS. Also, like any other state, we have far too many drivers who will talk or text on their smartphones.
When you consider these and other factors, it’s not hard to see why Florida car accident statistics paint a horrible picture regarding distracted driving. Authorities blamed more than 56,000 wrecks on distractions in 2021. These accidents claimed 331 lives – the most in the previous eight years.
Impaired Driving
There were 5,255 Florida car accidents due to drunk driving in 2022. These accidents led to 422 deaths and 3,080 injuries. When tourists come to our state, many choose to drink and drive while on vacation. Florida also hosts thousands of events year-round, with attendees often getting behind the wheel when impaired.
Speeding
Speeding is another major factor contributing to car accidents in the Sunshine State. Many drivers underestimate the dangers of exceeding speed limits, often leading to a reduced ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions.
High speeds increase the force of impact in collisions, resulting in more severe injuries and fatalities. Enforcing speed limits and utilizing speed cameras in high-risk areas can help curb this issue, promoting safer driving practices.
Weather Conditions
Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, with sudden rain storms creating hazardous driving conditions. Wet roads can reduce tire traction, leading to skidding and hydroplaning.
Additionally, fog and heavy rain can impair visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Drivers should exercise caution during adverse weather, reducing speed and maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles. Proper vehicle maintenance, such as ensuring good tire tread and functioning wipers, can also enhance safety.
Running Red Lights
Running red lights is a dangerous behavior that often results in severe accidents at intersections. Impatience and the desire to save time lead some drivers to ignore traffic signals, putting themselves and cross-traffic at risk.
To mitigate this, communities can install red light cameras at high-risk intersections and increase penalties for violations. Raising awareness about the potential consequences of running red lights may also encourage more responsible driving.
Tailgating
Tailgating, or following too closely, reduces the time a driver has to react if the vehicle in front suddenly stops. This aggressive driving behavior often leads to rear-end collisions, which are not only dangerous but also highly preventable.
Maintaining a safe following distance, typically a minimum of three seconds in optimal conditions, is crucial. Driver education programs that emphasize the importance of patience and space can help minimize tailgating incidents.
Inexperienced Drivers
Inexperienced drivers, particularly teenagers, are more prone to accidents due to their lack of driving skills and understanding of road dynamics. New drivers often struggle with judging distances, interpreting traffic signals, and handling unexpected situations.
Graduated licensing systems, which allow new drivers to gain experience under less risky conditions, can be effective. Additionally, encouraging comprehensive driver education and supervised practice can enhance young drivers’ competence and confidence.
Motorcycle Accidents
Since our weather is typically beautiful no matter the season, motorcyclists are on Florida’s highways every month. This is one of the reasons why our state has far too many rider fatalities. There were 651 motorcycle accident deaths in 2021.
Car Accidents Demographics of Florida
One common Florida stereotype is that we have more older people than anywhere else in the nation. That’s accurate since we have 8.6 million residents older than 50 – second in the country to California. But another stereotype is that older drivers aren’t as safe as younger ones. That’s not the case in Florida.
Drivers 21-39 caused the most Florida car accidents in 2020. Drivers in this age group were involved in 224,096 wrecks, and these accidents resulted in 783 deaths.
According to one study, the most dangerous month to drive in Florida is July (182 deaths between 2016 and 2020). The worst day is Saturday (286 deaths), and the worst time is between 8-9 p.m. (886 fatalities).
As with any other state, there are specific counties that have worse Florida car accident statistics than others. Seminole County had 2,369 wrecks (199 crashes per 10,000 residents) between January and May 2023, the highest crash rate of any county during that time. Hamilton Country (104 per 10,000 residents) was second on the list, while Duval County (89 wrecks/10,000 residents) was third.
Severity and Types of Injuries from a Car Accident in Florida
Severe Florida car accidents often result in horrible, life-altering injuries. Statistically speaking, some of the most common types of car accidents are rear-end collisions and intersection crashes. The resulting injuries may include the following:
- Whiplash: Whiplash injuries occur due to the sudden back-and-forth movement of the neck, commonly in rear-end collisions.
- Fractures: Bones can break due to the impact, varying from minor fractures to more severe breaks.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can cause pain and limited mobility.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Different types of spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, impacting motor and sensory functions.
- Traumatic Brain Injury: Head injuries can vary from concussions to severe traumatic brain damage, affecting cognitive and motor functions.
- Internal Injuries: Damage to organs or internal bleeding can occur due to the impact.
These injuries can have both immediate and long-term effects, leading to chronic pain and disabilities. Severe injuries require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and, in severe cases, lifelong care. Seeking immediate medical attention after an accident is crucial, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent.
Economic Impact of Car Accidents in Florida
Not only can a long-term car accident injury lead to tens of thousands of dollars of expenses for the victim, but it can hurt the Florida economy as well. According to Centers for Disease Control data on traffic deaths, Florida cost the state more than $4 billion in 2018.
The hundreds of thousands of wrecks in our state also impact insurance premiums. Industry analysts estimate Florida drivers pay an average of $163 monthly for liability insurance. Drivers in our state pay $239 for comprehensive coverage. Insurance costs about 44% more in our state than what the average U.S. driver pays.
Legal Advice for Car Accidents in Florida
Depending on the type of auto accident you were involved in, there are often legal implications for who is responsible for damages. That being said, Florida is a no-fault state regarding car accident insurance. Regardless of who’s to blame for a wreck, each driver’s insurance company will pay for property damage and medical bills.
But those policies only go so far. What if your policy covers $50,000 in medical expenses, but you’re so severely hurt your bills are twice that amount? You must hire a personal injury attorney immediately if you’re not responsible for the accident. They can pursue compensation from the insurer covering the at-fault driver.
Florida is also a comparative negligence state. This means you can obtain compensation based on your percentage of fault. If an investigation shows you were 20% at fault, the court will subtract that amount from your compensation. If your damages were $100,000, you’d receive $80,000.
You also need to take Florida’s statute of limitations into account. In our state, you have two years from the date of the wreck to take legal action. If the statute of limitations expires in your case, you won’t have any legal recourse to get the money you deserve.
Contact Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia to Speak with an Experienced Car Accident Attorney ASAP After Your Florida Car Accident
Please don’t let this happen to you. Speak with a Werner, Hoffman, Greig & Garcia auto accident attorney as soon as possible. We’ll investigate the accident and get the proof you need to win. Prompt action is a must so we can investigate before critical evidence disappears.
Please contact us online or call (800) 320-HELP for a free case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida a safe place for drivers?
Our state ranks close to the middle of the pack in terms of car accident deaths per 100,000 population. Florida ranked No. 23 in 2021, with a death rate of 16/per 100,000 people.
Where do most crashes happen in Florida?
Miami-Dade County reported 51,543 accidents involving injuries in 2020. Broward County was second, with 34,050. Lafayette County had the fewest injury-related accidents, with 41.
What rank is Florida for car accidents?
Florida ranked No. 3 in the U.S. in the number of fatal car accidents, with 3,629 deaths in 2021. There were 31,720 fatalities nationwide in the first nine months of 2021 – the highest in 15 years.
