2015 statistics show that almost 3,000 people were killed in vehicle accidents in Florida says Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne.

You can find statistics for almost every topic but one source where the numbers translate into lives lost and lives impacted by vehicle accidents is Florida’s Traffic Crash Facts Annual Report 2015¹. In it the Florida Department of Highway and Motor Vehicles publishes statistics about accidents from all over the state that occurred that year, reports Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne.

Accidents increase as do the number of vehicles involved in the traffic flow. It’s just a matter of time before a mistake is made, an accident happens and someone gets hurt. As you can see, over time the number of vehicles and drivers in Florida has increased substantially.

• In 1992 Florida had 11,550,126 licensed drivers; 11,205,298 registered vehicles; 196,174 crashes causing 205,432 injuries and 2,480 deaths.
• In 2015 in the state there were 15,998,416 licensed drivers; 17,145,234 registered vehicles; 374,342 crashes causing 243,316 injuries and 2,939 deaths.

Despite the increase in the sheer numbers, when they are looked at as a fatality for each estimated million miles driven in 1992 the figure was 2.18 and 1.42 in 2015. The most deadly year was 1993 with 2.27 and the least deadly was 2014 with 1.24.

Drivers in their 20’s and 30’s are the most dangerous, according to the figures points out vehicle accident attorney Osborne.

• Those in their 20’s were 24.4% of the drivers involved in accidents with those in their 30’s coming in at 17.45%. Drivers in their 50’s were about 14% of the drivers involved in accidents.
• Of those drivers suspected to have been impaired by alcohol prior to an accident 32.5% were in their 20’s, 22% in their 30’s, 17% in their 40’s.
• The age group with the most accidents where drugged driving is suspected are those in their 20’s at 29% followed by those in their 30’s at 22%. Those in their 40’s and 50’s each were involved in about 14% of the accidents.

The most common, known driver mistakes that lead to fatal accidents were:

• Driving in a careless or negligent manner (751)
• Failing to yield the right of way (554)
• Other action (351)
• Ran off roadway (144)
• Failed to keep in proper lane (122)
• Speeding (113)

Bad weather can’t be blamed for most fatal accidents. Only about 5% of fatal accidents happened during rainy conditions. About 72% occurred when it was clear and 21% when it was cloudy. Darkness, whether artificially lit or not, was a condition in nearly 55% of deadly crashes, 40% occurred in daylight. Roadways were clear in 94% of accidents.

Motorcycles are about 4% of registered vehicles but were involved in 14% of fatal accidents in 2015. Sports utility vehicles were involved in 14% of deadly accident, about 13% of fatal accidents involved pickup trucks while cars accounted for 44%.

There were a total of 9,085 pedestrian involved vehicle accidents in Florida in 2015. Locally there were:

• 1,098 in Broward County
• 1,604 in Miami-Dade County
• 604 in Palm Beach County

There were a total of 7,120 accidents in the state where bicyclists were involved in 2015. Locally there were:

• 816 in Broward County
• 890 in Miami-Dade County
• 530 in Palm Beach County

People aren’t statistics. Behind every one of these accidents is a story. Those involved were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time or they made a mistake or because of bad judgement a traffic accident occurred. People may have walked away while others were disabled for life or killed.

Though there’s a certain amount of pure chance when it comes to getting involved in an accident, do yourself, your family and the public a favor by focusing on driving when you’re behind the wheel and obey the rules of the road to increase the chances you and your passengers will get home safely.

If you or a family member has been injured or killed in a vehicle accident due to the negligence of another in Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach Counties you may be able to seek compensation. To learn more contact Boca car accident lawyer Joe Osborne at (561) 293-2600 or fill out this online contact form. You can discuss the accident, applicable laws and your best legal options to protect your rights and obtain compensation for your losses.

Footnotes:

1. Florida’s Traffic Crash Facts: https://flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2015.pdf