Florida Car Accident Statistics

Experienced Injury Lawyers Passionate About Keeping South Florida Roads Safe Despite Shocking Florida Car Accident Statistics

For the average person, driving a car, truck or SUV might be the most dangerous thing they ever do. It may not seem this way, but driving is an activity that often offers the highest likelihood of getting seriously injured or dying. 

The dangers of driving are especially notable in Florida. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, on average, more than 1,000 car crashes occur every day in Florida.

At Lawlor, White & Murphey, we are committed to helping those who get hurt in Florida car accidents. It’s an unfortunate fact that many motor vehicle accidents are the result of careless driving. 

Our experienced car accident injury lawyers are passionate about doing our part to make Florida’s roads safer. We do this by holding South Florida drivers fully accountable for the consequences of their negligent or reckless driving. 

We believe that when drivers know that there will be consequences for their careless driving, everyone becomes more motivated to drive safely. This will hopefully prevent someone else from becoming a tragic statistic.

Unsettling Florida Car Accident Statistics

In 2017, U.S. News and World Report found that Florida had the third-highest number of car crashes out of all 50 states.  Many of these car accidents resulted in injuries and even fatalities.  

For many Florida residents, this comes as no surprise. There are surges from tourists and seasonal residents every winter and the roadways simply cannot be expanded quickly enough to keep up. Then there’s the sheer number of distracted drivers, paying more attention to their phones than what’s on the road.

Florida has developed the unfortunate reputation as a state where car accidents occur with alarming frequency.  Some of the statistics gathered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles show the following for 2017:

• 402,385 overall car crashes.
• 2,924 fatal car accidents (with 3,116 actual fatalities).
• 166,612 car accidents that resulted in injuries (with 254,310 parties injured).
• 16,573 car accidents caused incapacitating injuries.
• 374 people died in alcohol-related car crashes and 3,035 were injured.
• 338 people died in accidents involving drugs. 
• 274 people died in accidents involving alcohol and drugs.
• 9,707 accidents involved motorcycles (resulting in 515 fatalities and 7,725 injuries).
• 9,420 crashes involved pedestrians (659 caused fatalities and 8,126 were injured.
• 6,672 crashes involved bicyclists (128 caused fatalities and 6,263 were injured).

These state-wide car accident statistics for the state of Florida are worrying just by themselves. But then it gets even worse when you focus on South Florida. 

For example, Broward County and the Fort Lauderdale area have a horrendous record when it comes to accident statistics. In 2017, there were 41,337 motor vehicle accidents causing 24,762 injuries in Broward County alone. Sadly, these crashes resulted in 225 fatalities. 

Only Miami-Dade County had worse numbers. Specifically, in 2017, there were 65,986 car accidents, 32,389 injuries and 285 deaths.

In Palm Beach County in 2017, there were 27,273 motor vehicle accidents that caused 15,912 injuries and 162 deaths.

Causes of Car Accidents and Injuries of Florida Drivers

It’s hard to pinpoint the reason for every accident or injury on Florida’s roads. However, we have some statistics that can shed some light on factors that seem to be associated with car accidents and certain types of injuries.

For instance, of the 402,385 crashes that occurred on Florida’s roadways in 2017:

• Alcohol was involved in 5,125 of those accidents.
• Drugs were involved in 668 of those accidents.
• 130,294 car accidents involved teen and young adult drivers (aged 15 to 24).
• There were 651 deaths as a result of a driver or passenger in a motor vehicle (of any type) not using a safety restraint, such as a seatbelt. 
• There were 261 deaths involving a motorcycle driver or passenger who chose not to wear a helmet.
• 559 people died because the driver failed to yield right of way.
• 765 people died because the driver drove in a careless or negligent manner.
• 87 people died because the driver drove in an erratic, reckless or aggressive manner.
• 234 people died in accidents involving a distracted driver.

The above list doesn’t necessarily prove that a specific accident characteristic, such as age, caused an accident. However, these numbers show that many accidents and deaths that occur on Florida’s roads are avoidable.

Helping Florida Drivers Recover After Getting Into an Accident

It’s hard to explain exactly why Florida has so many car crashes each year. But Florida car accident statistics are indicative of at least one thing. If you reside in Fort Lauderdale or South Florida, you are very likely to be involved in a car accident at some point in your life.  

In some cases, you may be fortunate enough to walk away from the accident with a few scrapes and bruises. In other cases, the resulting injuries can change your life forever.

At Lawlor, White & Murphey, our skilled car accident lawyers are passionate about protecting car accident victims’ rights.  We fight to make sure you receive the maximum amount of compensatory damages possible.

There are more than 250,000 people injured in Florida car accidents every year. And we know that the statistics cannot fully show how the injuries have impacted your life.  

We’re dedicated to getting to know our clients so that we can formulate a custom-made demand package for compensation that can include:

• All of your past and future medical expenses.
• The cost of rehabilitative care, physical therapy and any ongoing treatment.
• Prescription drugs.
• Lost wages, salary and employment benefits.
• Lost future earning capacity.
• Emotional counseling.
• Pain and suffering.
• Loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of financial support or consortium in wrongful death cases.
• Punitive damages.

Think You Might Be A Florida Crash Statistic?

Florida car accident statistics may paint a grim picture, but you don’t have to go it alone when it comes to getting a recovery. If you’ve sustained injuries in a South Florida car crash, the lawyers at Lawlor, White & Murphey will work to protect your rights. 

We will be by your side every step of the way until we obtain the best compensation package that can compensate you for your car accident.  Call or contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident injury lawyers.

Areas Nearby in Broward County:

• Coconut Creek Car Accident Lawyers
• Cooper City Car Accident Lawyers
• Coral Springs Car Accident Lawyers
• Dania Beach Car Accident Lawyers
• Davie Car Accident Lawyers
• Deerfield Beach Car Accident Lawyers
• Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyers
• Hollywood Car Accident Lawyers
• Lauderdale Lakes Car Accident Lawyers
• Margate Car Accident Lawyers
• Miramar Car Accident Lawyers
• Oakland Park Car Accident Lawyers
• Parkland Car Accident Lawyers
• Pembroke Pines Car Accident Lawyers
• Plantation Car Accident Lawyers
• Pompano Beach Car Accident Lawyers
• Sunrise Car Accident Lawyers
• Tamarac Car Accident Lawyers
• Weston Car Accident Lawyers

Areas Nearby in Palm Beach County:

• Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyers
• Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers
• West Palm Beach Personal Injury Lawyers

Lawlor, White and Murphey have office locations available by appointment located at:

• 2211 Davie Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
• 8362 Pines Boulevard, #410, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024
• 3014 Indian Trace, #164, Weston, Florida 33326
• 6574 North State Road 7, #349, Coconut Creek, Florida 33073
• 43 South Pompano Parkway #228, Pompano Beach, Florida 33069
• 1802 N. University Dr., #212, Plantation, Florida 33322

Contact one of our offices today for a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Car Accident Statistics