Florida ranks near the top among all states in rates of motor vehicle accidents, even factoring in Florida’s larger population. The large number of accidents also means numerous injuries and fatalities from car crashes in Florida. But why are the reasons for so many car accidents in Florida?
Florida Car Accident Statistics
Florida experiences on average a little under 1,000 car accidents every single day. This leads to more than 3,000 fatalities and over 200,000 injuries each year. In 2020, there were over 22,000 motor vehicle accidents in Palm Beach County and over 34,000 accidents in Broward County. Car accidents typically represent the leading cause of death for teenagers.
Leading Causes of Car Accidents
Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Florida include:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Reckless behaviors, including cutting off people on the highway, weaving around heavy traffic, or trying to beat red lights
- Tailgating
- Inexperienced drivers
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance leading to vehicle failure
- Defects in the car or a car part
- Adverse weather, such as heavy fog or rain, or extreme heat that causes mechanical issues in cars
- Poor road conditions
What to Do If You Have Been in a Car Crash in Florida?
If you were involved in a car accident in Florida, you should remember to take the following steps to protect your rights to compensation for any injuries or property damage you may have suffered:
- Call 911 or the local police department (or Florida Highway Patrol if on the highway) to report the accident.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with each driver involved in the accident.
- Speak to any eyewitnesses to the crash and get their contact information in case you may later need their testimony.
- Take photos or video of the accident scene, including details such as vehicle damage, positions of vehicles after the crash (if they haven’t been moved), skid marks on the road, any road signs or traffic controls at the scene, and road, weather, and traffic conditions at the time of the crash.
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible to get checked out for any injuries you may have suffered. Photograph any visible injuries.
- Follow all treatment instructions that your doctor gives you. Do not delay any recommended treatment or procedures.
- Keep copies of all bills, invoices, and receipts, along with copies of your pay stubs or income statements if you miss time from work.
- Try to avoid social media while pursuing your case or completing your treatment. Insurance companies may monitor your social media profiles for any posts you make that they can argue contradicts the allegations you have made in your claim.
Finally, make time to speak with a knowledgeable car accident attorney to discuss your legal rights and options for holding the other driver or another party responsible for your injuries and losses and to learn more about the process of pursuing a claim for compensation following a Florida car accident.
Contact a Lake Worth Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Gonzalez & Cartwright, P.A. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Miramar, Coral Springs, Davie, Boca Raton, and throughout Florida. Call (561) 533-0345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 813 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33460, as well as offices in Pompano Beach.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.