How Often Do Car Accidents Happen?–5 Common Reasons
How often do car accidents happen? Car accidents can be caused by many different factors, and they can happen in any state in the country. In Florida, car accidents are unfortunately quite common. This article will take a look at five of the most common causes of car accidents in the US and Florida. If you are aware of these dangers, you can take steps to avoid them and keep yourself and your loved ones safe on the road.
Getting involved in a car accident is something that most people hope to avoid. Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen, often when we least expect them to. In the United States, there are an estimated five to six million car accidents each year. That works out to be about 15,000 accidents each day. And while not all of these accidents are serious, many of them do result in injuries or even death.
The best thing to do if you are involved in a car accident in Hollywood, Florida is to contact Jared Spingarn, P.A. Jared’s team is composed of experienced car accident lawyers who know what to do after a car crash. They can help you recover after your car accident by fighting your legal battles until you receive the compensation you deserve, whether from your car insurance company or from the driver at fault. Continue reading to learn about the five most common reasons that a car accident can occur.
Car Accident Statistics in the US
In 2020 alone, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recorded over 5.2 million motor vehicle accidents in the country – 5,250,837 auto accidents to be specific. This number resulted in 35,000 fatal accidents, of which the states of Texas, California, and Florida ranked the highest. However, this number is much lower than in previous years due to the onset of the global pandemic because fewer vehicles were on the road during this year.
In 2019, the NHTSA’s car accident statistics show more than 6.7 million auto accidents in the year. Although not every car accident is fatal, many car accidents still result in injuries to the driver and/or passenger of the vehicle. So how many car accidents resulted in injuries? The crash statistics show that over 1.5 million accidents caused serious injuries to the persons involved. Additionally, regarding property damage, the crash statistics show that more than 3.6 million (more than half of the total number of car crashes) caused property damage.
Fatal Car Accidents
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IISA) is an organization that collects and disseminates data on motor vehicle crashes in the USA. This data includes how many fatal car crashes were there during a certain period. To define a fatal car accident, the car accident victim/s must have died within 30 days of the accident. Here are some fatal car accident statistics from the IIHS:
- In 2019, there were 36,096 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes in the United States. This number is a decrease of 2% from 2018 (36,560 deaths) and a 4% decrease from 2017 (37,473 deaths). But in 2020, the IISA estimated that there were 38,824 traffic fatalities from over 35,000 fatal crashes.
- The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in 2019 was 1.11, down from 1.16 in 2018 and 1.24 in 2017.
- In 2019, 63% of the fatalities were occupants of passenger vehicles, 28% were occupants of light trucks (including SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks), 8% were motorcycle riders, and 1% were pedestrians. Also in the same year, 10% of the fatalities were occupants of large trucks (trucks weighing more than 8,500 pounds).
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How often do car accidents happen in Florida?
Florida ranks third in the country for the number of car crashes that occur every year. According to Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), an estimated 500 car accidents occur daily in the state, for a total of about 200,000 crashes per year.
Additionally, in 2020, Florida recorded 3,098 fatal car accidents with 3,331 deaths. Although the state is one of the most populous in the country, this number was well above the national average of fatal accidents per 100,000 people. Florida recorded a rate of 15.6 deaths from fatal crashes compared to the national average of 11.7.
Many factors contribute to how often car accidents occur in the state. One is the number of people who are on the road. With a population of over 21 million people, Florida has a lot of drivers on the road which increases the chances of car accidents. Another factor is the number of tourists who visit Florida every year. In 2019, over 126 million tourists visited Florida which is about double the state’s population. With more cars on the road, the chances of accidents go up. Some other factors that contribute to how often car accidents happen in Florida are:
Senior Citizen Population
Many senior citizens live in the state of Florida. In 2019, there were over 4.5 million people over the age of 60 living in the Sunshine State. This is because Florida is a retirement destination for many people. With a larger population of senior citizens, there are more chances for accidents to happen because of their age.
Young (Under 18) Population
In 2019, there were over 4 million people under the age of 18 living in Florida. Florida is a popular destination for families with young children, as it is deemed safe and has many family-friendly attractions. However, with a larger population of young people, there are more chances for accidents to happen because they are inexperienced drivers.
Tourist Population
More than 21 million people visited Florida from other countries in 2019, before the travel bans and global lockdowns were in place. This is because Florida is a popular destination for vacationers from all over the world. With a larger population of visitors, an auto accident can happen at any time.
If you have been involved in a car crash in Florida, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer to help you deal with the ins and outs of the state’s vehicle insurance industry. A car accident lawyer from the law firm of Jared Spingarn will help you get the compensation you deserve and protect your rights.
5 Common Causes of Car Accidents
There are many different factors that can contribute to an auto accident. It is important to be aware of how and why a car accident occurs so that you can avoid these dangers and stay safe on the road.
1. Distracted Driving
One of the most common causes of car accidents is distracted driving. This can include anything from talking on the phone to eating to changing the radio station. It is important to keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings at all times while driving. Distracted driving often causes fatal crashes because instead of focusing on the road, drivers feel like they can multitask and pay attention to other things.
2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
The worst type of car accident is fatal. And when fatal accidents occur due to something that is easily preventable, it is even more tragic. Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the most preventable causes of fatal car accidents. Every year, thousands of people are killed in drunk driving accidents, increasing the number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in the country. If you are going to be drinking, make sure to have a designated driver or take a cab/Uber so that you do not get behind the wheel.
Never get behind the wheel if you have been drinking, as this can put yourself and others in danger. Drunk driving often leads to fatal crashes because it impairs a driver’s judgment and reflexes.
3. Speeding
Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents. It is important to always obey the posted speed limit and drive at a safe speed. Speeding often leads to fatal crashes because it gives drivers less time to react to hazards on the road.
4. Road Rage
Road rage is a common cause of car accidents and another one that is easily preventable. It is important to always stay calm while driving and never engage with another driver who is angry. Road rage often leads to fatal accidents because it can lead to drivers engaging in dangerous behaviors such as tailgating, cutting off other drivers, and speeding.
5. Weather and Road Conditions
Weather and road conditions can also contribute to car accidents. It is important to always be aware of the forecast and plan your route accordingly. Weather conditions often lead to fatal crashes because they can make driving conditions more hazardous. As for road conditions, it is important to be aware of construction works, potholes, and other potential hazards while driving.
Conclusion
A car accident occurs due to several reasons, and it is important to be aware of the dangers on the road. Your auto insurance policy may be able to cover some of your injuries and lost wages, but fatal accidents will leave the deceased’s loved ones with expensive funeral costs and other bills. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to contact Jared Spingarn, an experienced car accident lawyer, to help you with your claim.
>> If you’re involved in a car accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on their Contact Us page.