Accounting for both our population size and the average number of miles we travel, Florida has a steeper rate of fatal accidents than the rest of the U.S. Our state also has a higher proportion of the total amount of all car accidents and average car accident settlement compared to our portion of the total U.S. population.
These conclusions are drawn from data from various authorities — some of which may have different methods for counting car accidents. Regardless of these differences, car accident statistics still point to a pretty stark reality: we have some of the most hazardous roads in the country.
One reasonably comprehensive study looking at 2018 data concluded that Florida has the fourth most dangerous drivers in America. That’s at least a better ranking than the same study gave us for 2017 and 2016 when we came up last.
Add these risks to Florida’s no-fault insurance system, and you have a recipe for astonishingly dangerous driving. Accidents are not only likely but can culminate in severe injuries or deaths without an apparent insurance remedy to pay for it all.
Many victims of car accidents have to turn to the services of an experienced car accident lawyer in Florida to help them pursue an injury claim and at least the average car accident settlement against all possible parties. Looking for a car accident injury settlement in Florida takes an extra bit of effort. Still, it can render more money to pay back medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and compensate you for your pain and suffering.
Florida’s Car Accident Statistics and Death Rate Compared to the U.S.
According to statistics from FLHSMV, Florida had 402,385 total crashes in 2017 — an average of over 1,000 per day. A total of 254,310 injuries and 3,116 fatalities resulted.
There was some excellent news: deaths and incapacitating injuries declined slightly from 2016, and our rate of deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled dipped 4%.
Comprehensive statistics from the NHTSA covering the entire U.S. ascertained that there were around 6,452,000 total crashes in America in 2017, leading to an estimated 1,889,000 injuries and 34,247 deaths.
Census surveys for 2018 show that Florida makes up approximately 6.5% of the total U.S. population. That proportion may be slightly different from the year 2017, the most recent available year for Florida crash data. Regardless, it is a valuable benchmark of comparison.
Florida’s overall crashes make for 6.2% of the total U.S. crash volume, showing we proportionately account for a smaller quantity of accidents than our population would indicate. Yet, our proportion of accident injuries is a staggering 13.4%! We also account for 9.1% of road deaths. This data shows that while Floridians crash about as often as expected, we have a higher likelihood of causing accident-related injuries or deaths. Consequently, there is bound to be more than the average car accident settlement claims in Florida.
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