How Often Does Someone Die In A Florida Car Accident?

November 23, 2024 | Sagi Shaked | Personal Injury

Every year, tens of thousands of people die in traffic crashes across the country. In 2023 alone, approximately 40,000 individuals were killed in wrecks involving drunk drivers, reckless driving, and other causes. This equates to more than 100 daily fatalities or about five per hour.

These fatal collisions are not evenly distributed throughout the United States, however. Some parts of the country experience a large number of fatal crashes each year, while others see very few. If you live or are considering traveling to Florida, you might wonder how the Sunshine State compares to other states when it comes to car accident fatalities.

Understanding Traffic Fatalities In Florida

With an estimated population exceeding 22 million, Florida is the third-largest state in the country by population. Therefore, it is no surprise that Florida sees a high number of traffic deaths as well. The states with the most traffic fatalities in 2022 include:

• California, with 4,428 traffic deaths
• Texas, with 4,408 traffic fatalities
• Florida, with 3,530 traffic-related deaths
• Georgia, with 1,797 fatalities
• North Carolina, with 1,630 traffic deaths

Many of these states are geographically large as well. Conversely, the states with the fewest number of traffic-related fatalities in 2022 were:

• District of Columbia, with 32
• Rhode Island, with 52
• Vermont, with 76
• Alaska, with 82
• North Dakota, with 98

It is also important to consider these statistics with regard to population. Those states with the highest number of deaths per 100,000 population include:

• Mississippi, with 23.9
• Wyoming, with 23.0
• New Mexico, with 22.1
• Arkansas, with 21.1
• South Carolina, with 20.7

New York saw one of the lowest rates at 6.0 deaths per 100,000 population. By comparison, Florida’s traffic fatality rate sits at 15.9 deaths per 100,000 population as of 2022.

How Frequently Do Fatal Accidents Happen In Florida?

If approximately 3,530 traffic deaths happen yearly in Florida, the following assumptions can then be drawn:

• An average of 294 fatalities happen every month
• About nine deaths happen every day
• A traffic-related death occurs approximately once every two and one-half hours

Similar to the national traffic fatality statistics, not all of Florida’s 67 counties experience the same number of traffic fatalities every year. Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Hillsborough counties recorded over 200 traffic deaths in 2022. In contrast, Wakulla, Taylor, and Washington counties had under ten fatalities each due to traffic crashes.

Union County had the lowest number of traffic-related deaths. In 2022, only one person died in a car accident in that county.

Most Common Causes of Fatal Traffic Accidents

Although any collision has the potential to cause severe or fatal injuries, the presence of certain circumstances can raise this risk. The factors that can make a fatal accident more likely to occur include:

• Elevated or excessive speeds
• Distracted driving
• Intoxicated or impaired driving
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Drowsy driving

Failing to yield the right of way can also contribute to fatal accidents. Because drivers expect that other motorists will follow the right-of-way rules, they may be unprepared when a driver does not. This can lead to side-impact collisions at higher speeds.

Is Driving In Florida Dangerous?

While the statistics can suggest that driving in Florida is inherently dangerous, the truth is more complicated. Several other states experience fatal wrecks more frequently than Florida, and some parts of Florida see very few deadly traffic crashes in any year. 

As in any other state, avoiding risky driving behaviors like drinking and driving, speeding, and driving while distracted can reduce your likelihood of being involved in a fatal accident. If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident, contact the experienced Florida car accident lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Miami, FL

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami car accident lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.

Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(786) 686-1238