What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Florida?

May 6, 2024

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Each year, hundreds of thousands of car accidents in Florida cause someone to be injured. In 2023, there were roughly 450 injury crashes and more than 9 deaths per day, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Crash Dashboard.

While each of these accidents is unique, there are similarities we can identify when we look at the data, including common causes. Here, we will review these causes, the types of damages you can recover, and what you should do if you have been involved in a car accident.

The Orlando car accident attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright proudly represent clients in need. Car accidents in Florida can leave victims injured or take loved ones away from us. There are pain, financial struggles, and emotional hurdles in their wake. The last thing a victim needs is to navigate the road to compensation alone.

If you are injured or a loved one is lost in a car crash, call us at (407) 712-7300 to schedule a FREE case evaluation. Let us ensure that every avenue to just compensation for your suffering is explored.

8 Common Causes of Car Accidents in Florida

Staying safe on the road starts with a better understanding of some common causes of accidents. Here are eight of the most common causes of car accidents in Florida:

1. Drunk Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drunk driving kills 37 people in the United States every day, resulting in 13,384 fatalities in 2021 alone.

2. Distracted Driving

Distracted driving was the cause of 3,308 fatalities across the nation in 2022. Unfortunately, the problem of distracted driving continues to get worse.

3. Drowsy Driving

Drowsy driving causes thousands of crashes and hundreds of deaths each year. However, since detecting evidence of drowsy driving after an accident can be difficult, these numbers may be higher than we know.

4. Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving—including speeding, careless driving, failure to yield, and more—is the most common cause of fatal crashes.

5. Lack of Experience

Sadly, young drivers are more susceptible than others to mistakes while behind the wheel. Young drivers accounted for 8.4% of drivers involved in fatal accidents in 2021 while only comprising 5% of all drivers on the road.

6. Hazardous Weather

Rain, high winds, and other adverse weather conditions can also lead to increases in car crashes, acting as a contributing cause in 21% of accidents.

7. Unsafe Road Conditions

Potholes, uneven surfaces, and poorly designed roads can also cause accidents, according to studies by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

8. Mechanical Defects

While not as common as some crash causes, mechanical failures or defects, such as brake failure, can lead to serious, fatal car accidents.

While some of these causes, such as hazardous weather, are unavoidable, the unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of accidents could have been avoided.

What Is the Single Largest Contributor to Crashes?

While several external factors can cause car accidents, it’s clear from the list that driver error is the single largest contributor to car accidents. The specific cause can vary, but the unfortunate truth is that most crashes are caused by people who intentionally or accidentally make terrible mistakes while behind the wheel.

Those who are injured or who lose a loved one due to another’s negligence should not be forced to pay the consequences. Whether it is medical bills, lost wages, emotional trauma, or physical pain and suffering, victims deserve compensation.

Types of Damages in a Florida Car Crash Claim

Damages generally refer to losses or suffering endured by an accident victim. These three types of damages may apply to a car accident claim:

Economic Damages: These damages result in financial loss, including medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and other out-of-pocket expenses.
Non-Economic Damages: These types of damages are generally emotional or psychological. For example, the pain you experience during and after an accident or the loss of companionship you suffer after losing a loved one in a car crash.
Punitive Damages: These damages are not common. They are only awarded to punish the negligent party if their actions were malicious or negligent in some severe way.

If you are calculating how much your claim is worth, it is imperative to consider each of these types of damages. We recommend doing so with the assistance of an experienced car accident attorney. They may be able to identify damages that you have not considered.

What Do I Do If I’m in a Florida Car Accident?

After being involved in a car crash in Florida, you should always start by checking for injuries. If you or another party involved are seriously injured—call 911.

If your injury doesn’t seem as severe in the moment, you should still seek medical attention. Some injuries might not be immediately apparent. Visit urgent care or make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Your health has to be the priority

Then, call the police. This is essential for filing an insurance claim and establishing the facts of the accident. After alerting authorities, here are some steps that will bolster your claim:

Take pictures of the accident scene
Exchange information with the other driver
Notify your insurance company
Get in touch with a car accident lawyer

What you do in the moments following a car accident is vital for ensuring your health and well-being and your car accident claim. If you fail to take the proper steps, it could hinder your ability to recover the compensation you deserve for your damages.

Contact the Orlando Car Accident Lawyers at Colling Gilbert Wright

Car accidents in Florida leave hundreds of thousands of injured victims each year. If you have been in a car crash and need guidance on recovering compensation, the Orlando car accident attorneys at Colling Gilbert Wright are here to help. We are compassionate, committed lawyers who do everything we can to help accident victims assess their situation, defend their rights, and recover from motor vehicle accidents.

Contact us today to schedule a FREE consultation. When the negligent actions of another cause you or a loved one harm, someone must be held accountable. Allow us to advocate for justice on your behalf.