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Florida Car Accident Statistics

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Posted on June 9, 2022

Car accidents are the number one cause of fatal unintentional injuries in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 38,824 total victims lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2020. Florida is consistently one of the top states in terms of the number of fatal car accidents each year. Spreading awareness regarding car accident facts and statistics can help prevent collisions in the future.

Florida Car Accident Facts By the Numbers

Car accidents have been a significant cause of catastrophic injuries and deaths in Florida for decades. While safety improvements in terms of state traffic laws, the vehicles themselves and Florida’s roadways have reduced the number of accidents annually, recent statistics still show a considerable risk to Floridians. The following is some of the latest available data regarding Florida traffic accidents, collected by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles:

  • In 2020, there were 341,399 total car accidents reported in Florida. This is an average of 933 crashes per day.
  • Florida car accidents in 2020 took 3,332 lives and caused 15,614 incapacitating injuries. This was an increase of 4.62 percent for fatal accidents but a decrease of 13.56 percent for serious injuries compared to 2019.
  • There were 92,247 hit-and-run accidents reported in Florida in 2020 and 4,554 alcohol-confirmed crashes. Crashes involving alcohol took at least 384 lives.
  • Motorcycles were involved in 8,045 accidents in 2020, resulting in 517 motorcyclist fatalities. Pedestrians were involved in 8,117 accidents and bicyclists were involved in 5,952.
  • The top five counties in Florida for traffic accidents in 2020 were Miami-Dade (51,543), Broward (34,050), Hillsborough (24,168), Orange (23,268) and Palm Beach (22,106).
  • In 2020, Florida saw 64 fatalities due to drowsy driving, 314 fatalities due to distracted driving, and 415 due to speeding and aggressive driving.
  • One of the most dangerous places for drivers in Florida are intersections, with 928 fatal intersection accidents reported in 2020.

            Most Florida car accidents are preventable. This is why it is so important to spread information and knowledge about car crashes, so that drivers can take steps toward preventing future collisions.

            Tampa car accidents

            What Are the Most Common Causes of Florida Car Accidents?

            Understanding the top causes of car accidents can help you reduce crash rates in your community. Driver error is the number one reason behind car crashes in Florida and nationwide. Here are the top 10 causes of serious car accidents in Florida based on the number of related fatal accidents reported in 2020:

            Careless or negligent motor vehicle operation: 726

            1. Failure to yield the right-of-way: 406
            2. Other driver-contributing actions: 326
            3. Failure to stay in the proper lane: 256
            4. Ran the vehicle off the roadway: 224
            5. Exceeded the posted speed limit: 137
            6. Drove the wrong way or on the wrong side of the road: 115
            7. Reckless, erratic or aggressive motor vehicle operation: 101
            8. Ran a red light: 89
            9. Ran a stop sign: 76

            If every motor vehicle driver obeyed the law and followed basic traffic safety rules, thousands of serious injuries and deaths would be prevented each year. Unfortunately, drivers in Florida often make mistakes that result in harmful vehicle collisions, such as driving distracted, driving under the influence and ignoring traffic laws.

            What to Do if You Get Involved in a Car Accident in Florida

            Statistically, your odds of getting into a car accident in Florida at some point in your life are high. While no one can predict a car accident, you can prepare for one. Keep the contact information of a reputable car accident lawyer in Tampa in your phone so that you know who to call if you get into a collision. If you’ve already been injured in a car accident, call Vanguard Attorneys at (813) 471-4444 today for a free case evaluation. We can help you understand what to do and how to rebuild your life after a crash.