Which Cars Had the Most Fatal Accidents in Florida?

When shopping for a new or used vehicle, most people compare safety ratings, fuel economy, resale value, and insurance costs. When researching the safety of a vehicle, especially if it is for a new teen driver, it’s important to look at statistics on which cars are the most dangerous. One way to do this is to review Florida accident statistics on fatal crashes, and which vehicles are most often involved in these types of accidents. Doing so will allow drivers and families to make a decision on which care they prefer, and keep safety at the forefront of the decision.

While no vehicle is automatically considered to be dangerous, reviewing Florida car accident statistics by make and model can provide useful information. Certain cars, trucks, and SUVs in Florida appear more frequently in fatal crash data. Looking at this information can help drivers, including parents looking for a car for their child, better understand roadway trends across the state, and which vehicles are less likely to be involved in a crash, and the reasons why.

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent individuals and families in Florida who are affected by serious and fatal collisions throughout the state. To better help our community, we have examined Florida fatal car accident statistics from 2019 through 2023, based on data reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and identified the vehicle makes/models that have most often been involved in fatal crashes statewide.

Why Do Certain Vehicle Makes and Models Appear More Often in Florida Fatal Car Accident Statistics?

When reviewing Florida fatal crash data and which vehicle makes and models are most involved in those accidents, it is important to understand the factors that play into why certain vehicles show up more frequently in data trends. In many cases, it is not about a vehicle’s design flaw or a standard safety issue. Instead, there are driving patterns and vehicle market trends that play a major role.

Several common factors influence how often a vehicle appears in fatal accident statistics:

• Popularity & Sales Volume – Vehicles that are sold in large numbers throughout Florida, such as full-size pickup trucks and midsize SUVs, naturally have greater exposure on Florida roads. This can cause them to be involved in a higher number of fatal accidents.
• Driving Patterns & Mileage – Work trucks, commuter vehicles, and sedans are often driven long distances each year on roadtrips throughout the state. Spending more time on the road increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident, and unfortunately, some of them can be fatal.
• Vehicle Size & Crash Dynamics – Larger vehicles like pickup trucks and bigger SUVs can cause more severe damage in e collisions due to their weight and ride height. In accidents involving smaller passenger cars, it may leave occupants more vulnerable to serious injuries or even death.

Understanding these factors that affect fatal accident statistics when looking at them by vehicle make and model helps put them into perspective and prevents misinterpretation of raw data.

Looking At Florida Fatal Car Accident Statistics (2019–2023)

According to statistics provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were a total of 25,358 vehicles involved in fatal crashes throughout Florida between 2019 and 2023.

The data provided by the NHTSA identifies specific vehicle makes and models that appeared most often in fatal accidents throughout Florida.

It is important to understand that these numbers only reflect involvement in fatal crashes, not fault or injury-only accidents. Many of these vehicles are among the most commonly driven in Florida, which is one of the reasons they are higher on the list.

Top 10 Vehicles Most Often Involved In Fatal Accidents In Florida

According to data provided by the NHTSA, here are the vehicle makes and models most involved in fatal accidents from 2019 to 2023. 

1. Ford F-150 – 725 Fatal Crashes

The Ford F-150 is ranked highest among NHTSA data. As one of the most popular pickup trucks in Florida and throughout the United States, it frequently appears in crash data.

Large pickup trucks can cause life-ending injuries due to:

• Higher vehicle weight
• Taller ride height
• Increased force during impact

2. Chevrolet Silverado – 692 Fatal Crashes

The Chevrolet Silverado closely followed the F-150 in data reporting on total fatal crash involvement. Like other full-size pickups, it is widely used for work, travel, and personal transportation throughout Florida.

3. Toyota Camry – 601 Fatal Crashes

The Toyota Camry is one of the most commonly driven sedans in Florida, as it is perfect for many seniors and families. Its popularity throughout the state contributes to its high rate of fatal accidents in Florida statistics.

4. Toyota Corolla – 565 Fatal Crashes

The Toyota Corolla also ranks as a vehicle involved in a high number of fatal crashes in Florida, according to statistics. Compact sedans like the Camry are popular among commuters and younger drivers, but are no match for larger trucks and commercial vehicles when in a collision.

5. Honda Accord – 480 Fatal Crashes

The Honda Accord is a staple vehicle in many Florida households. It’s known as a reliable car that can be driven for many miles, which is why crash data reflects its widespread use.

6. Nissan Altima – 480 Fatal Crashes

When looking at the Florida fatal crash data, the Nissan Altima tied with the Honda Accord in fatal crash involvement. This is most likely due to the fact that it is just as common as the Honda Accord and is frequently seen on Florida highways and urban roadways.

7. Honda Civic – 444 Fatal Crashes

The Honda Civic is another highly sought-after compact vehicle, which is perfect for navigating through and parking in busy metropolitan areas. Smaller vehicles can leave occupants more vulnerable to serious injury or death in multi-vehicle collisions involving larger trucks and SUVs.

Top 6 SUVs Involved in Florida Fatal Accident Statistics

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are common in Florida due to their ability to accommodate families,  travel comfortably, and handle various road conditions. The following SUVs were ranked among the highest in fatal crashes throughout the state:

• Ford Explorer – 207 crashes
• Toyota RAV4 – 237 crashes
• Honda CR-V – 226 crashes
• Nissan Rogue – 206 crashes
• Jeep Grand Cherokee – 184 crashes
• Ford Escape – 184 crashes

SUVs tend to have higher centers of gravity, which also increases rollover risk in certain types of collisions.

Top 5 Pickup Trucks and Work Vehicles Involved in Fatal Florida Crashes

In addition to the F-150 and Silverado, other types of trucks were heavily represented in Florida fatal accident statistics from 2019 to 2023:

• Ford F-250 – 274
• Ram 1500 – 220
• GMC Sierra – 243
• Toyota Tacoma – 235
• Ford F-350 – 135

Florida’s construction, agriculture, and transportation industries contribute to the heavy use of these types of vehicles statewide.

Motorcycles and Fatal Crash Statistics in Florida

Motorcycles appear frequently in fatal crash data reported by the NHTSA because riders lack the physical protection that enclosed vehicles provide. The warm weather year-round also means that motorcycles are more frequently on the roadways throughout the state. The models with high fatal crash involvement include:

• Honda CBR600 – 95
• Yamaha YZF-R6 – 78
• Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R – 69

Motorcycle collisions often result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death claims in Florida due to the direct exposure of the rider.

Injured in a Florida Car Accident? Our Team At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Can Help

If you were injured or a loved one lost their life after being involved in an accident involving any vehicle make or model, you may be entitled to compensation under Florida personal injury law. For more information, see our article on the deadliest cars in America, highlighting which vehicles pose the highest risks on the road.

Our team at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers has represented Florida injury victims for decades, earning over 1 billion dollars in compensation for our clients. Our Florida car accident attorneys handle cases throughout the state and offer:

• Free consultations
• No fees unless we recover compensation
• Experienced trial representation when needed

Florida’s roads see thousands of serious crashes each year, and some of them result in catastrophic injuries or even death. If you have questions about your rights after a car, truck, SUV, or motorcycle accident, our team of dedicated lawyers is ready to review your case and explain your legal options.