An estimated 200,000 car accidents are recorded in Florida annually, with an average of 650 crashes per day, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department.
To date, Florida is one of the most populated states in the U.S., only surpassed by California and Texas. In a recent study, out of Florida’s 275,376 miles on the road, MoneyGeek studied 2,665 roads to determine which were deadliest to drivers. Using data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the study examined the states 8,792 fatal accidents from 2017–2019 — the most recent years of available data.
The analysis also examined factors contributing to fatal accidents in Florida, including speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, and time of year. The study broke down data for all of Florida’s counties and identified the deadliest stretch of road in each.
Key Findings:
- US-19 from Denton Ave. to San Marco Dr. is the deadliest stretch of road in Florida. The road is located in Pasco County and had 25 fatal accidents.
- Drunk driving contributed to more fatal accidents than speeding and distracted driving combined.
- The month of March had the most fatal accidents, with 846 in the three years studied.
- Miami-Dade had more fatal accidents than any other county. US-1 was its deadliest road.
If you or a loved one were involved in an auto accident, it is best to seek medical attention right away. Even if you do not feel injured at first, it is a good idea to get checked out by a doctor.
5 Mistakes to Avoid in a Florida Car Accident Claim
- Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company adjuster without contacting an attorney, first. Your insurance company would love for you to not hire a lawyer after your car accident. This is because a study in their own industry found that car accident victims represented by an attorney typically received more than double the insurance payout as those people who represented themselves. Questions will be asked regarding the color of the traffic light or speed on impact that can often haunt you if the claim ends up in front of a jury. Without the assistance of a lawyer preparing you, not to lie, but to understand the question, you can inadvertently make a statement that can destroy your chance to obtain fair compensation.
- Never apologize. This may sound rude, but an apology given at the scene of a car accident can come back and be used as a statement in court to suggest that you were at fault for the accident.
- Never offer more information than needed at the scene to the police. Telling the officer that you were in a hurry to get to your mother in the hospital or to pick up the kids from after school care will only be used to make it look like you were careless and speeding.
- Be consistent. What you tell Fire Rescue, the ER, and your treating doctors about how and why a car accident happened will be used in your case. If for instance, you tell some doctors that you were driving and others you were a passenger, the inconsistencies will be used to make you look like a fraud. Our best Miami car accident attorney advice is to simply tell the truth. Trying to help your case by making up facts not only is detrimental to the outcome of your claim, but it is also illegal. Insurance fraud in Florida is a crime and trying to bend the truth to make a car accident case more valuable may not only cost your money but could cost you your freedom.
- Do not accept a settlement on the spot. Some Florida car accident insurance companies send adjusters right to the scene of a crash with a checkbook in hand. Settling your claim without first consulting with a car accident lawyer might cost you the full value of compensation you would otherwise be entitled to. Signing a release at the scene is never a good idea and should be avoided at all costs.
As a personal injury auto accident attorney in Miami, I have learned that insurance companies (yes, even your own) are always looking for some way to get out of making payments to the injured. Our Miami car accident lawyers believe that UM coverage is the most important and valuable insurance one can purchase to protect themselves and their families in the event of a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian traffic accident.
FREE CONSULTATION WITH A MIAMI AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida it is very important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Spencer Aronfeld is a Board Certified Trial Lawyer, and he and the lawyers at Aronfeld Trial Lawyers understand Florida’s complex personal injury laws and since 1991 we have fought hard to protect the legal rights of the injured and their families- and hold auto insurers like State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, GEICO and others accountable for the pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other damages suffered by our clients. Contact us today and speak with an experienced Miami personal injury attorney toll free 1-866-597-4529, local 305-441-0440, or by email. We offer a free initial consultation at your home, office, hotel or hospital. Call us today, we are ready to help.
Source: Florida’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics
