How Does South Florida Compare to The Rest of Florida for Car Accidents?

Nearly 22 million people call Florida home, with tens of millions visiting the Sunshine State every year. If you live in, are planning to move to, or are visiting Florida, it’s important to know how South Florida compares to the rest of the state when it comes to car accidents. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) compiles statistics annually. While these statistics are from 2017, accident trends tend to be the same year after year.

South Florida is the southernmost region of the state and encompasses the Miami metropolitan area and the Florida Keys. If you’ve been in a car accident in South Florida, reach out to the attorneys at McCullough & Leboff, P.A.

Total Crashes in Florida vs. South Florida

In 2017, there were 391,782 crashes in Florida. Of those crashes, 125,754 occurred in Southern Florida. This means that the southern part of the state accounts for almost 35% of car accidents.

Injury Accidents in Florida

Of those 125,000+ accidents, 45,620 led to an injury in Southern Florida. Remember that the most dangerous thing on the road is other drivers. Always be alert and aware of your surroundings when behind the wheel.

Pedestrian Collisions

Over 20% of all pedestrian accidents occurred in the southern part of the state. Whenever there are pedestrians in the area, you always need to be more cautious. Injuries that pedestrians sustain can be life-threatening since they don’t have the protections that cars have for passengers.

Florida Car Accident Statistics

Of 6,500 bicycle accidents statewide, nearly 2,000 occurred in South Florida. Of the more than 40,000 commercial vehicle accidents,15,000 happened in South Florida.

Types of Car Accidents in South Florida

Car accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and can leave long-lasting damages. Some common accidents in South Florida include:

• Rear-end collisions: When one car trails too close behind the lead car, a rear-end collision may occur. They can also happen when the lead driver stops or brakes suddenly.

• Rollovers: Vehicle rollovers are typically the most dangerous type of car accident. Cars can roll over for many different reasons, but drivers and passengers can suffer head injuries, broken bones, or even death.

• Sideswiping: Whenever you merge or a car is merging into your lane, check all blind spots. Failure to do so can result in a sideswipe accident.

• Head-on collisions: These hazardous accidents occur when the front of two cars collide.

Car accident victims can suffer severe injuries and face large bills from hospital visits, physical therapy, and property damage.

Ways to Avoid Car Accidents in Florida

Whenever you’re behind the wheel, you have a reasonable duty of care to keep other drivers safe. While every driver should be doing this, the unfortunate truth is that not everyone takes driving safety seriously. Precautions you can take to avoid accidents include:

• Driving sober

• Not driving distracted

• Going a safe speed

• Maintaining your car

• Always being alert for other drivers and hazards

These simple steps can help reduce your chances of being in a car accident, keeping you safe and healthy.

Skilled Car Accident Attorneys in South Florida

Accidents happen every day. It’s an inevitable truth. When an accident does occur, seek legal counsel from the trusted South Florida car accident attorneys at McCullough & Leboff, P.A. Attorneys Beth Leboff and Scott McCullough have nearly 50 years of combined experience in handling personal injury claims in Florida.

When you partner with us, you can be confident that we will do everything in our power to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and damages. Call or complete a contact form to schedule your free consultation today.