Car accidents can have a profound impact on individuals and their families. Car accident statistics reveal an alarming reality in Florida, known for its busy roads and tourist-dotted highways. With millions of licensed drivers navigating these roadways daily, understanding the prevalence and causes of car accidents is vital in promoting safer driving practices.
Find out what you should know about Florida car accident statistics from our Tampa car accident attorneys. If you’re the victim of a traffic accident, you may have the right to financial compensation.
Have you been involved in a car accident that left you with a head, neck, or spinal injury in Tampa, Florida?
How many traffic accidents occur each year in Florida?
Between January 1, 2023, and August 17, 2023, there have already been 239,810 crashes in Florida. In 2022, there were 396,478 total car accidents reported in Florida. As the state’s population grows, car accidents each year have increased to about 400,000 on average.
Less than one percent of traffic accidents that occur each year in Florida are fatal. However, over 40 percent of car crashes in Florida result in injuries annually.
What percent of drivers get into an accident in Florida?
According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were 15,560,628 drivers in Florida in 2019. This does not include tourists. In 2019, there were 401,867 crashes, which is about 2.6 percent. Since most car accidents involve two drivers, the odds of being in a crash in any given year are about five percent.
Are car accidents more common in Florida than in other states?
Car accidents in Florida are indeed more common compared to many other states. As a state known for its year-round warm weather and popular tourist destinations, Florida’s roads see significant traffic from locals and out-of-state visitors alike.
According to recent statistics, Florida consistently ranks as one of the top states with a high number of car accidents annually. The combination of dense population centers, congested highways, intense traffic volume, and diverse driving habits contribute to an elevated risk on the roadways.
Where do accidents happen the most?
Accidents in Florida tend to occur more frequently in certain areas. Urban centers such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville have a higher concentration of car accidents due to the high population density and heavy traffic volumes. Additionally, major interstates like the Florida Turnpike, I-10, I-75, I-95, and I-4 are notorious for being accident-prone zones.
Furthermore, tourist-heavy regions, such as Central and South Florida, also experience a significant number of accidents due to the influx of visitors who may be unfamiliar with local driving laws and roadways. However, accidents can happen anywhere in Florida, so all drivers should exercise caution regardless of location.
Florida 2023 car accident statistics
Florida car accident statistics for 2023 include the following data up to August 19, 2023:
- 239,810 total car crashes
- 1,886 fatalities in car accidents
- 99,393 total injury crashes
- 4,916 total bicycle accidents with 127 fatalities
- 5,893 motorcycle crashes with 347 deaths
- 5,937 pedestrian accidents that resulted in 435 pedestrian fatalities
Florida 2022 Car Accident Statistics
The 2022 car accident statistics in Florida included:
- 396,478 total crashes with 3,289 fatalities
- 162,955 injury crashes
- 7,237 bicycle crashes with 214 deaths
- 9,252 motorcycle accidents with 598 fatalities
- 10,159 pedestrian accidents with 777 deaths
Florida traffic fatalities
There are more than 3,500 crash fatalities each year in the state of Florida. There were 3,529 deaths in Florida in 2022. That number is lower than the number of deaths in 2021, which were 3,741.
Hillsborough County traffic accident statistics
2022 Hillsborough County traffic accident statistics for 2022 were:
- 28,356 car crashes with 219 fatalities
- 12,146 injury crashes
- 476 bicycle accidents with 18 fatalities
- 603 motorcycle accidents with 48 deaths
- 657 pedestrian accidents with 58 pedestrian fatalities
Pinellas County traffic accident statistics
2022 Pinellas County traffic accident statistics were:
- 15,681 car accidents with 115 deaths
- 6,376 injury crashes
- 578 bicycle crashes with 13 deaths
- 437 motorcycle accidents with 32 fatalities
- 475 pedestrian accidents with 37 deaths
Are accident reports public record in Florida?
In general, accident reports are public records in Florida. After 60 days, anyone can get a copy of a police report even if they are not involved in the accident. Within 60 days of the crash, only interested parties and parties with a permissible purpose may access an accident report.
Your rights after a Florida car accident
After being involved in a car accident in Florida, it is crucial to understand your rights and the legal steps you can take. The following are some key points to consider:
- Seek medical attention: Even if you don’t feel injured after the accident, seeking medical care is vital as some injuries may not manifest symptoms immediately
- Contact authorities: It is essential to report the accident to law enforcement, especially when there are injuries or property damage
- Exchange information: Obtain insurance information, vehicle registration numbers, driver’s license information, and contact details from all parties and witnesses
- Notify your insurance company: Promptly inform your insurance company about the accident
- Consult with an attorney: If you suffered injuries or significant property damage, seeking legal advice from a car accident attorney is advisable
Ultimately, the only car accident that matters is your own. Being the victim of a car accident can be a frightening experience.
Criminal law for car accidents in Florida
Criminal charges that may result from a Florida car accident are:
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Manslaughter
- Driver’s license violations
In addition, a driver may receive a traffic ticket that results in a fine and license sanctions.
A representative from the state brings criminal charges. It’s up to the state representative to decide whether to file charges. While limited restitution may be available, the purpose of a criminal proceeding is not to compensate the victim for damages. To receive complete damages, the victim must bring a civil claim for compensation.
Civil law for car accidents in Florida
In addition to criminal law applying to Florida car accidents, civil law applies. A central purpose of civil law is to ensure car accident victims are fairly compensated. The car accident victim is the person who initiates the civil case to hold the person responsible accountable. Ultimately, a car accident civil claim allows the victim to receive the compensation they deserve.
In Florida, you may bring a third-party claim for compensation if you meet the Florida serious injury threshold after a car accident. Even a broken bone or a scar may be enough to meet this threshold. If you qualify to bring a claim, the other side may owe you compensation for pain and suffering and various financial losses.
Most motorists carry liability insurance that allows them to pay car accident claim damages. You also have the right to assistance from a licensed Florida car accident attorney to bring your case on your behalf.
Florida car accident injury attorneys
If you’ve been in a car accident and were injured, you deserve financial compensation. Our Florida car accident injury attorneys help ensure you receive a fair settlement for your losses and damages. Our legal team works hard to get the compensation you are entitled to from the insurance company, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Contact Jack Bernstein, Injury Attorneys, for a free consultation today.
Sources:
FLA. STAT. § 316.065. (2023).
Florida Cash Dashboard. (2023).
Highway Statistics Series. (2019).
Tampa Car Accident + Personal Injury Lawyers
For more than 40 years, personal injury lawyer Jack G. Bernstein has protected the rights of individuals who have been injured in a variety of circumstances. Throughout his career, Bernstein has been a strategist thoroughly dedicated to the idea of protecting the rights of his clients. Mr. Bernstein is a member of the Florida State Bar Association, the Hillsborough Bar Association and the Clearwater Bar Association.
Mr. Bernstein has the experience and expertise to handle a wide range of injury cases. Among the types of plaintiffs Mr. Bernstein represents are individuals involved in car accidents caused by drunk drivers or other exhibiting negligence, medical complications resulting from carelessness caused by a physician or a medical facility, including brain injury, bicycle, motorcycle, moped and truck accidents, admiralty law and cruise ship accidents, accidental drownings, all types of wrongful death lawsuits, along with most injury, catastrophic occurrences and legal malpractice issues.
Our firm handles every type of personal injury and accident case, using negotiation and litigation tactics effectively. We handle cases throughout Tampa, Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, FL. With a staff of approximately 40 people, including six lawyers and 34 support personnel, we have the legal resources to get the justice you deserve and the maximum recovery for your losses. Schedule your free consultation today; we are always here to help.
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