
Car Accidents in Florida: Facts and Statistics
The state of Florida reports a high number of traffic accidents annually. There are many factors that contribute to the high number of accidents including the increasing population and the thriving tourism industry. When drivers are unfamiliar with the conditions and the roadways things can go wrong quickly.
Driver Awareness
A number of safe driving initiatives like the Arrive Alive Program are starting to have an impact as the Florida Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) has reported the number of traffic accidents for 2020, the most recent year available, is the lowest it has been since 2013. The total number of accidents in 2020 was 341,399, a 15% decrease from 2019 when there were 401,867.
Motorcycle crashes, which are often fatal or result in severe injuries, decreased slightly. The number of motorcycle crashes in 2020 was 8,045, down from 8,995 in 2019.
Alcohol Confirmed Crashes
The number of alcohol-confirmed accidents showed improvement as well. There were 4,984 alcohol-confirmed crashes in 2019, while that number was reduced by nearly 10% in 2020 when only 4,554 accidents were alcohol-confirmed.
Teens Are Having More Severe Crashes
Unfortunately, it is not all good news. The number of fatal crashes increased from 2019 to 2020 by 5%, from 2,951 to 3,098. There was a dramatic increase in the number of accident fatalities where drivers were 15 to 17 years old. The number of fatal accidents involving drivers in that age group increased 45%, from 20 in 2019 to 29 in 2020.
West Palm Beach Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in the West Palm Beach, Florida area, contact Casas Law to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer. We look forward to the opportunity to help you find the answers to the questions you have.