In 2022, Florida had a total of 381,156 total crashes across the state. The greater Tampa Bay Area experienced about 62,995 reported car crashes in 2021, which is about 16% of all car accidents in Florida. While the total number of traffic deaths in 2022 was lower than 2021 (which holds a record high fatality rate), every year the number of fatalities consistently goes up.
Read on to learn more about some recent Florida car accident statistics and what you need to know after getting into an accident.
2022 Florida Crash Data
Here are some figures to reflect 2022 car accident statistics in Florida:
- Number of total crashes in the state of Florida: 381,156
- Number of total injuries from motor vehicle crashes: 242,622
- Number of crashes that resulted in injury: 160,261
- Number of fatalities from all car crashes: 3,292
- Number of car crashes involving pedestrians:9,741
- Number of pedestrian fatalities from car crashes: 693
- Hit and run crashes: 102,568
- Hit and run fatalities: 255
- Hit and run injuries: 22,309
2021
Total number of crashes in Florida in 2021: 401,540
Total number of injuries: 252,971
Total number of accidents that caused injuries: 163,956
2020
Total number of crashes in Florida in 2020: 341,399
Total number of injuries: 212,432
Total number of accidents leading to injuries: 140,167
According to these statistics, the average accident rate per day in Florida is 1,050. Furthermore, there are an average of 668 car accident injuries per day and 9 deaths per day. The one thing that remains consistent over the years is that the percentage of crashes resulting in injury seems to stay just around 42% every year. The highest rate of car crashes occur in March, October, and December.
Most Common Types of Accidents in 2022
Amongst the most common types of car accidents in Florida in 2022 were:
- Pedestrian accidents (9,741)
- Motorcycle accidents (8,899)
- Bicycle accidents (6,960)
Most Frequent Types of Collisions in 2022
Motor Vehicle accidents are categorized not only by type of collision. In 2022, the leading types of collisions that occurred in Florida were:
- Head-on or wrong-way collisions
- Single car accidents
- Sideswipe collisions (most often occurs during improper or reckless lane switching)
- Left-turn collisions (commonly seen at dangerous intersections)
- Rear-end collision (the leading type of car accident)
- Drunk driving accidents (with nearly 5,000 accidents involving an impaired driver in 2022)
Where Do Most Florida Car Accidents Happen?
Accidents occur the most in metropolitan and city areas because of the high traffic density. Urban areas also have higher speed limits since they have highways and expressways. Here are the highest accident rates by county in Florida for 2022:
1. Miami-Dade County: 61, 319 accidents
2. Broward County: 33, 300 accidents
3. Hillsborough County: 27,838 accidents
4. Orange County: 25, 539 accidents
5. Palm Beach County: 24,412 accidents
6. Duval County: 239,96 crashes
7. Pinellas County: 15,325 crashes
Tampa Bay Car Accidents 2021
Here are 2021 accident numbers for the Tampa Bay area, according to data from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Division:
- Pinellas County
- 14,313 motor vehicle collisions
- 108 car accident fatalities
- 8,412 car accident-related injuries
- Hillsborough County
- 24,168 motor vehicle collisions
- 213 car accident deaths
- 16,450 accident-related injuries
- Paso County
- 7,327 total car accidents
- 107 car accident fatalities
- 6,363 car accident injuries
- Hernando County
- 2,195 motor vehicle crashes
- 144 deaths
- 1,856 injuries
Florida Traffic Fatality Data 2022
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Florida had the fifth highest rate of traffic fatalities in the country in 2022. The average death per 100 million miles traveled is 1.58.
In 2022, there were a total of 3,411 traffic fatalities in Florida, and in 2021, there were a total of 3,741. Traffic fatalities have been steadily growing every year since 2021.
Pedestrians Are at Risk Too
It’s not just cars and motorists who are at risk of getting into an accident. Florida is the second most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians. Seven counties in Florida are ranked in the top 20 dangerous metropolitan areas for pedestrians. About 22% of traffic fatalities in 2022 were pedestrians.
Motorcyclists are also at risk, accounting for nearly 18% of all traffic fatalities in Florida. Bicyclists account for about 7% of crash-related fatalities in Florida. Lastly, Florida is one of the top states in the country for hit and run fatalities (third in the country). In 2022, hit and run fatalities accounted for about 8% of traffic deaths.
Drunk Driving Is a Major Factor for Rising Car Accident Statistics in Florida
Drunk driving statistics are perhaps some of the most disturbing since they are completely preventable. Every year, over 100,000 people get killed by a drunk driver.
In 2022, 268 people died at the hands of a drunk driver. An additional 199 died due to an alcohol or drug induced driver. That equates to 8% and 6% of all traffic deaths caused by drunk or drugged driving, respectively. An additional 227 deaths from drugged rivers accounted for 6.6% of traffic fatalities in 2022.
The highest risk age group for drunk driving accidents and fatalities is 21-24 year old males. Men account for about 80% of all drunk driving fatalities.
Common Injuries Sustained in Florida Car Accidents
The most common injuries sustained in car accidents include:
- Neck and back injuries
- whiplash (a neck injury)
- Bone fractures
- TBI (traumatic brain injuries)
- Neurological damage
- Head injuries
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Spinal cord injury
How Much is My Car Accident Case Worth?
Since every case is unique, you’ll need to consult an experienced Florida car accident lawyer to assess your case. Then you can get a better idea of your claim value. However, there are a few key factors to consider when determining the value of your claim:
- Liability
- Severity of your injuries
- Did you sustain severe injuries or did anyone die?
- What type of coverage is available
- What is your expected recovery time?
- Did the accident cause you disability?
- Was the disability permanent or temporary?
- Lost wages
- How much income did you lose? Will you miss an extended period of work due to your injuries?
- Do you have future medical bills?
- How much insurance is available to cover your expenses?
- Will you be able to return to the same job as before?
- Were you partially at fault for the accident?
- Are you the sole provider for your family? Or does your family depend mostly on your income?
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Florida Car Accident?
The time limit, or statute of limitations for car accident claims based on negligence is now two years. This change in the law went into effect in 2023. It has changed the way that car accident claims are handled in Florida.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Florida Car Accident?
Florida injury victims who are harmed by another person’s negligence have the right to seek compensation. Compensation includes financial recovery for economic damages and non-economic damages. Here are some examples of damages you can recover from a personal injury claim:
- Medical expenses (past, present, and future bills)
- Lost income (past, present and future lost wages as well)
- Diminished earning capacity
- Nursing or assistive care
- Medical devices, equipment, and prescriptions
- Mental anguish
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Reduced quality of life
Non-economic damages are more subject and calculating them requires assessing how you and your family have been affected by the accident. An experienced attorney can best help you determine a fair value.
Do I Need a Lawyer if I Was in a Florida Car Accident?
UNless you have experience with insurance claims, you need a lawyer. Working with a lawyer will help ensure you navigate the legal process efficiently and take the right steps to get a favorable outcome.
Contact an Experienced Florida Car Accident Lawyer Today
Call our attorneys to get the legal help you need and the compensation you deserve. If your loved one died in a traffic collision, we might be able to help you file a wrongful death claim.
We offer a free initial case review so call us today.
