Recent Florida Car Accident Statistics
Driving on the road in Florida is an inherently dangerous thing to do. In 2022, after steadily rising from 2018 to 2021, traffic fatalities saw a decline. The number of fatalities dropped from 3,741 in 2021 to 3,553 in 2022. Florida remains third in the nation for the highest number of car accidents per year, following California and Texas.
There are a number of reasons car accidents occur, including bad weather, road conditions, and distracted drivers. Heavily populated areas are also more susceptible to car accidents because of the higher concentration of drivers. Hillsborough County, for example, ranks third overall for number of car accidents in Florida counties just behind Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
Because of the beautiful weather in Florida, people can enjoy the great outdoors more often than in some other states. This leads to more bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists sharing the road which can lead to more accidents.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident, it is best to speak with an experienced car accident injury lawyer. If the accident has been caused by the negligence of someone else, there may be an opportunity to seek compensation to help cover the medical costs and damages associated with the accident. Here at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we have helped countless individuals who have been negatively impacted by motor vehicle accidents. Contact our office to schedule your free car accident case consultation today.
Below we share some common Florida car accident statistics including causes of accidents.
*Stats have been created for most current year data available.
How Many People Die In Car Accidents Every Year
In 2022, motor vehicle crashes claimed the lives of 42,514 people in the United States, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), which is a sobering statistic that underscores the urgent need for change. This equates to 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.33 deaths per 100 million miles traveled by drivers in the US, revealing a persistent and tragic toll on American roadways. The fatality rates highlight stark disparities, with death rates per 100,000 people ranging from as low as 4.8 in the District of Columbia and Rhode Island to a staggering 23.9 in Mississippi. Similarly, the rate per 100 million miles traveled varied significantly, from 0.69 in Rhode Island to 1.85 in South Carolina.
These US car accident statistics should serve as a call to action, prompting policymakers to prioritize safer road designs, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, and public awareness campaigns. As drivers, we must also commit to adopting safer driving habits, as every effort to reduce these numbers can save countless lives.
Florida Car Crashes, Fatalities, and Injuries 2018-2022
Florida experiences hundreds of thousands of car accidents each year, with an annual average of approximately 400,000 crashes. The exception to this trend was in 2020 when Covid-19 lockdowns caused a significant reduction in traffic. From 2018 through 2021, the number of traffic fatalities consistently increased, reaching 3,741 deaths in 2021. However, 2022 brought some relief, as fatalities declined to 3,553, marking a notable improvement. Knowing how many car accidents in Florida per year there are is important for drivers, as we often believe that being in a car accident won’t happen to us. Being aware of the Florida car accident statistics makes us better drivers, as we can commit to practicing safer driving and be able to recognize unsafe conditions on the road.



Top Ten Counties for Car Accidents in Florida 2022
Population density plays a significant role in determining which counties in Florida experience the highest number of car accidents. Below are the ten counties with the most car accidents in 2022. Miami-Dade County continues to top the list with 63,540 crashes, followed by Broward County with 40,837. Hillsborough County, home to the bustling city of Tampa, ranks third with 28,360 crashes. Orange County comes in fourth with 26,263 accidents and is followed by Palm Beach (25,011) and Duval (24,358). Other counties rounding out the top ten include Pinellas (15,683), Lee (15,282), Polk (13,499), and Volusia (9,648).

Most Dangerous Month for Driving in Florida
Similar to recent motorcycle accident statistics, March remains the most dangerous month for operating a car in Florida, with 36,556 accidents reported in 2022, according to the Florida Crash Dashboard. October followed closely with 35,359 accidents, and December ranked third with 34,811 accidents. Some other months also saw significant accident numbers, such as May with 33,372 accidents and November with 33,146, highlighting the consistent risk of driving throughout the year in Florida.

Florida 2022 Car Accident Types
While the majority of car accidents in Florida involve motorized vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists also play a significant role in roadway accidents. Out of the 397,620 total accidents reported in 2022, 4.4% involved pedestrians and bicyclists. These statistics highlight the importance of staying vigilant and being mindful of others who share the road, as pedestrians and bicyclists can often be hard to spot or suddenly enter traffic.
When comparing 2021 to 2022, some notable changes can be seen. In 2021, Florida reported 401,540 total accidents, slightly higher than the 397,620 in 2022. Motorcycles were involved in 2.15% of accidents in 2021, which increased to 2.33% in 2022. Similarly, bicyclist-related accidents rose from 1.59% to 1.83%, and pedestrian-related accidents increased from 1.59% to 2.57%. Hit-and-run accidents remained relatively stable, dropping slightly from 27.3% in 2021 to 27.12% in 2022. The largest category, other accident causes, decreased from 67.37% in 2021 to 66.16%. These trends highlight the need for continued efforts to improve road safety and protect vulnerable road users.
While the bulk of car accidents involve cars or other motorized vehicles, there are other people sharing the road that can be the source of an accident. Pedestrians and bicyclists for example are involved with 3% and 2% of all car accidents in Florida, respectively. It is vitally important to be aware of those we share the roads with as they can be hard to spot and dart into traffic easily.

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Possible Causes for Car Accidents in Florida in 2022
Car accidents in Florida can occur for a variety of reasons. Poor weather, road conditions, road hazards and debris are all potential contributors to motor vehicle accidents. The likelihood of accidents also increases during busier times of day due to higher traffic volumes. The age of the driver plays a significant role, with younger drivers and those over 65 facing a greater risk of accidents compared to drivers aged 25 to 65. However, one of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving, particularly due to cell phone use. In 2022, 5.94% of car accidents in Florida were directly linked to cell phone use, whether talking or texting.
Distracted driving encompasses a wide range of behaviors while operating a moving vehicle. In 2022, 77.12% of distracted driving accidents in Florida were attributed to general inattention. Other inside car distractions, such as passengers or adjusting the radio, accounted for 9.28%, while outside distractions like roadside events contributed to 5.88% of incidents. Additional distractions involved other electronic devices, making up 1.93% of cases.
Despite the prevalence of distracted driving, Florida’s laws regarding texting while driving remain relatively lenient. A first offense for texting is a non-moving violation with a $30.00 fine, and law enforcement still requires a search warrant to examine a driver’s phone for evidence. In contrast, Oregon enforces stricter penalties, with first-time fines reaching $1,000 if no crash occurred and $2,500 if a crash did occur.
Distractions while driving can also stem from eating, drinking, or in-car distractions like passengers. Given the data, it’s clear that Florida could benefit from stricter laws to reduce the impact of distracted driving on road safety.

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Florida Alcohol-related Car Accident Injuries and Fatalities
A significant factor contributing to traffic accidents each year in Florida is the use of alcohol or drugs by drivers. In 2022, alcohol-related car accidents led to 388 fatalities and 3,084 injuries across the state. While the exact number of alcohol-related accidents can fluctuate each year, these statistics highlight the serious and ongoing rate of impaired driving in public. It is important to continue efforts to reduce impaired driving through stricter enforcement, education, and awareness campaigns to prevent further loss of life and injury on our roadways.

Contact a Car Accident Attorney Near You
At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, we take driving safety seriously for a reason. In the 30+ years since we opened our doors, we’ve represented more than 20,000 victims who were unnecessarily hurt or killed by someone else’s negligence, mostly in car accidents. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident caused by the negligence of someone else, it is important to speak with a car injury attorney near you. They will go over the specific circumstances of your accident to determine if you have a legitimate claim to compensation for any injuries sustained or other costs involved such as loss of wages. Contact Abrahamson & Uiterwyk today for a free consultation and speak with a member of our compassionate and committed injury law team.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Valrico, speak to one of our car accident attorneys in Valrico today.