Understanding State Local And Nationwide Car Accident Statistics
Transportation authorities collect data on traffic accidents at both the state and local level. Information is also collected nationally by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration .
Nationwide, 36,560 motor vehicle accident fatalities were reported in 2019. Thousands more were seriously hurt. In the Sunshine State, the numbers are equally grim.
When Can I File A Car Accident Lawsuit In Florida
Almost any set of circumstances can lead to a car crash however, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , drivers are the major cause of accidents, especially those who engage in risky driving. Risky driving includes:
- Distracted Driving responsible for causing more than 3,000 deaths each year.
- Drowsy Driving responsible for approximately 700 fatalities per year.
- Speeding responsible for almost 9,500 deaths each year.
- Drunk Driving responsible for more than 10,000 fatalities a year.
- Drug-impaired Driving associated with more than 50% of the drivers involved in serious injury accidents.
If you were injured in a car crash in which the other driver engaged in risky driving or was in some other way negligent, then you may be able to sue for damages. Liability in Florida personal injury cases is based on the concept of negligence, meaning that for a claim for damages to be viable, you have to be able to establish the four elements of negligence:
You also have to keep in mind that you must file a car accident lawsuit within a specific time period. According to Florida Statutes § 95.11, you usually have only four years from the date of the accident in which to file a personal injury claim and only two years in which to file a wrongful death claim.
Should I Only See A Doctor For Severe Injuries
Car accidents can result in many injuries, ranging from mild to severe. However, your injuries do not have to be severe to necessitate medical care. Even seemingly minor injuries should get examined by a doctor promptly to reduce the risk of future complications. Plus, some car accident injuries, like whiplash and concussions, do not always show symptoms immediately, so you might think youre fine.
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How Common Are Car Accidents In Florida
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles provides information about the thousands of crashes that happen in Florida every year.
In 2020, there were 330,753 motor vehicle accidents reported in the sunshine state.
The report for 2020 shows that:
- 205,978 people were injured across the state
- 3,106 people lost their lives in fatal accidents
- 2141 traffic fatalities and 20, 242 injuries were caused by hit-and-run accidents
It can also be useful to understand the types of vehicles most likely to be involved in a fatal crash. The report shows that:
- 655 pedestrian accidents were fatal
- 477 motorcycle accidents were fatal
That means more than 41% of the total fatalities reported in Florida were motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians.
Typically, 52% of all fatal crashes in the state of Florida happened in single-vehicle car accidents. In 2018, 1,512 were caused by multi-vehicle crashes. 44% of all fatal accident victims were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.
Statewide, 4,984 car wrecks involved alcohol in 2019. 378 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents that year.
Tampa And St Petersburg
Though they lack a world-renowned theme park like Orlando, the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, both situated around the Tampa Bay, use their attractive beaches and regularly warm weather to draw in tourists each year. The area is the second largest metropolitan statistical area in Florida by population.
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Most Dangerous Roadways In And Around Tampa Bay And Clearwater
Interstate 4 This highway is the thoroughfare between Daytona Beach and Tampa. According to data analysis by EverQuote, Interstate 4 is the most dangerous of all the roadways in our area. This result was concluded by the number of crashes and fatalities per mile on this stretch of road. The study uncovered that over a 6-year period, there were 1.41 fatalities per mile on this highway which connects from I-275 in Tampa to the Daytona Beach I-95. This 132-miles of roadway has been named in the top 10 of the most dangerous highways in the country, for the past 8 years.
Brandon Boulevard From Falkenburg Road to approximately the intersection of Dover Road, youll find the most crash-worthy section of roadway in Tampa. According to Vision Zero a campaign for safer driving, this 7-mile stretch has an average of 25 crashes per mile.
Gibsonton Drive From Boyette Road and Interstate 75 to Balm Riverview Road, tends to be the most dangerous for those on motorcycles or who make left turns. Visual obstructions, high speeds, and aggressive driving have been linked to this area in particular.
Hillsborough Avenue This stretch of road that runs to Longboat Boulevard and Florida Avenue has been linked to 19.8 crashes per mile. Just one more area youll want to pay more attention to when cruising that portion of highway.
Woman Dies In North Tampa Shootout
A woman died early the morning of Oct. 29 after being shot in a car in North Tampa, according to police.
A 58-year-old Temple Terrace man was charged with DUI and driving in the wrong direction after his sedan, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-4 early the morning of Oct. 31, collided with an eastbound semitrailer.
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What Are Common Injuries In A Car Accident
The Tampa area has a huge percentage of the states car accidents. A recent year saw more than 24,000 crashes causing at least 16,450 injuries.
These car accidents cause many utterly devastating and life-changing physical injuries, including:
Our Tampa car accident lawyers handle claims involving a wide range of injuries, and you should never assume your injury is too serious or minor to reach out to our firm for help.
Our Tampa Car Accident Attorneys Will Get You Through This
Did you get into a car accident in Tampa? Perhaps someone hit you in the parking lot at Raymond James Stadium, or another driver ran a stop sign. No matter where your accident occurs, you deserve justice. You need a Tampa car accident lawyer on your side from the start.
The Tampa Bay area is crowded and getting more so. Residents are increasing, and so are tourists. Extra people mean more cars on the roads and more auto accidents. The tourists often drive rented cars they dont know well on unfamiliar streets. This exponentially increases the potential for and the number of car accidents.
Living in such a dangerous road environment, you or a loved one may have suffered a severe injury or death in Tampa. Auto accidents can happen anywhere from I-75 to residential streets in the Channel District. You might be heading to work, taking your kids to the beach, or going shopping, and you might end up in the emergency room of Tampa General Hospital due to crash injuries.
The experienced Tampa car accident attorneys at Boohoff Laws Tampa office can help you build your car accident case from the beginning. We want to take the legal burdens off your shoulders, so you can concentrate on recovering your physical and emotional health.
We represent car accident victims in the Tampa area, and we pride ourselves on achieving big results for our clients. Our Tampa car accident attorneys know how to fight insurance companies aggressively and win!
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Do Stay Behind The Suspected Drunk Driver
You want to make sure theres plenty of room between you and the driver you believe may be drunk. Drunk people have a habit of doing anything, at any time, with no warning at all. You dont want to be in the line of fire should they suddenly decide to swerve into another lane without signaling or try to turn left from the rightmost lane.
Car Accident Lawyer Tampa Fl
First and foremost, youll want to attend to your injuries and the injuries of anyone else involved in the crash. Everything else can wait until your health is evaluated. Second, youll want to preserve your legal options by connecting with an experienced Tampa, Florida car accident lawyer from Jeff Murphy Law. Once your health has been prioritized and your legal interests are being protected, your next steps will become clearer. If youve just suffered an accident, please consider the following steps
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Driver Dies In Fiery Crash On Causeway Blvd In Tampa
TAMPA, Fla. Police are investigating a crash that left one person dead in Tampa early Tuesday morning.
The crash happened at about 1 a.m. at the intersection of Causeway and Maritime Boulevards.
Police said the vehicle caught fire and they used extinguishers to put out the blaze.
The driver died, but their passenger survived. There is no word on their condition.
Causeway Boulevard is expected to reopen soon.
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Tampa Fl Passenger Dies In Dui Crash At Bruce B Downs Blvd & Bearss Ave
Tampa, FL A passenger was killed in Tampa while riding as a passenger in a vehicle driven by a drunk driver on Friday, July 16.
Local reports revealed that the fatal crash occurred at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Bearss Avenue early that morning at around 2:30 a.m. Authorities reported that 21-year-old Taylor Silva was headed eastbound on Bearss Avenue approaching a red light at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Silva then drove his blue Hyundai Santa Fe onto the roadway median, running the red light and crossing the intersection.
The vehicle left the roadway where the passenger side crashed into a tree. The area was closed for several hours after paramedics arrived at the scene. Emergency responders had to use the jaws of life to extricate the passenger from the vehicle. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Silva was taken into custody for charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide. An ongoing investigation into the deadly accident is underway. More details will be made public as the inquiry continues.
We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased victim at this time.
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Back And Neck Injuries
Other than whiplash, the force of a car accident may injure your neck and back. Talk with any car accident lawyer and learn how common these injuries are. Specific examples of back injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident include ruptured and herniated spinal discs. If you experienced back or neck injuries before the car accident, the legal professionals of Jeff Murphy Law recommend letting an orthopedist examine you to make sure the accident did not worsen your condition.
What Evidence Do I Need For My Car Accident Case
In order to have a strong car accident case, you need to obtain the proper evidence. For example, you may want to obtain a copy of the police report because it contains critical information about the collision, such as when and where it occurred and the names of everyone involved. Other important pieces of evidence may include photos of the accident scene, medical records, and auto repair bills.
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What Damages Can I Claim In A Florida Car Accident Lawsuit
The damages you can claim depend on the extent of your physical injuries, prognosis, healthcare needs and the effects of those elements on your mental health and family. An experienced Dennis Hernandez Tampa car accident attorney can help determine the damages to which you may be entitled however, in general, people who are seriously injured in car accidents may seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Existing and future medical and care expenses, such as hospital stays, surgeries, medication, diagnostic tests, office visits, assistive devices and equipment, rehabilitative therapies and transportation to medical facilities
- Property damage
How To Deal With Drivers Who Are Speeding
Even if you are a safe and responsible driver, it does not mean other drivers are. That is why it is important to be aware of your surroundings on the road. If you recognize dangerous driving behaviors, like speeding, you should try to keep your distance from those drivers.
If the driver behind you is tailgating your vehicle, lightly tap your brakes to let the driver know he or she is following too close. Dont feel pressure to drive above the speed limit just because the other driver is impatient.
If you were injured in a car accident caused by another motorist, you may want to talk to a car accident lawyer in Tampa, Florida. You may be entitled to receive compensation for your losses. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about car accidents.
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Plan Ahead And Stay Calm
Its always better if youre not in a hurry to get to where youre going. This automatically will keep your stress levels lower while youre driving. You can also do other things to stay calm like listening to good music, keeping your grip on the steering wheel relaxed, and deep breathing. Its helpful to remember that everyone has their reasons for doing things the way they do them, such as slow drivers. There are many reasons someone could be driving slow, such as being lost or having car troubles.
Tpd Officer Facing Dui Charge
An officer of the Tampa Police Department has been placed on administrative leave following a DUI arrest early the morning of Dec. 16.
An elderly woman and a young child trapped beneath a vehicle were rescued Dec. 18 by a Tampa police officer, Tampa Fire Rescue personnel and good Samaritans at the scene.
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What Can A Car Accident Lawyer Help Out With
A car accident lawyer can help out with many different things. They are an extremely useful tool to have when going through a difficult car accident case. Insurance companies generally wish to settle for lower amounts than a victim deserves and this is one of the most beneficial areas where legal counsel can help out. They also possess a large amount of information when it comes to the different details of a car accident. Reach out to Jeff Murphy Law today for help with your car accident case.
What Happens When Multiple Parties Are Liable
Sometimes, multiple parties can be liable for one Tampa car accident. For example, one driver rear-ended another driver, pushing them into an intersection and causing them to T-bone a third vehicle. Suppose a delivery truck driver hits you. In that case, the driver and their employer can both be liable for your car accident injuries. Perhaps your accident resulted from a poorly configured construction zone, which can leave another driver and the construction company liable.
No matter which parties caused your accident, have an experienced personal injury lawyer represent you. Why? Because you, unfortunately, cant rely on insurance companies to prioritize your best interests. They hire accident investigators who will determine liability for multi-car accidents. However, those investigators are essentially paid to find evidence that someone other than the insurance companys client bears liability.
Seasoned Tampa car accident lawyer will look out for you, not the insurance company or anyone else. Often a car accident lawyer will begin by filing claims against all the other drivers insurance companies. Then they will conduct their own investigation to determine who is at fault for the car accident. Depending upon the complexity of the accident, the severity of your injuries, and the number of parties involved, your attorney may hire a private investigator or an accident reconstructionist to help them determine how the accident happened and who is really to blame.
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Where Are The Most Dangerous Roads In Tampa
Some roads in Tampa are simply more dangerous than others.
According to a Vision Zero Action Plan study, some of the most accident-prone stretches of road in Hillsborough County include:
- Brandon Boulevard, from Falkenburg Road to Dover Road
- Gibsonton Drive, Boyette Road, from I-75 to Balm Riverview Road
- Hillsborough Avenue, from Longboat Boulevard to Florida Avenue
- Fletcher Avenue, from Armenia Avenue to 50th Street
- Dale Mabry Highway, from Hillsborough Avenue to Bearss Avenue
- Lynn Turner Road, from Gunn Highway to Ehrlich Road
While each of these stretches of roadway was identified for priority improvements, its important to remain vigilant if youre driving in these areas.
Tampa Pedestrian Using Walker Killed In Seffner Hit
Troopers were searching Thursday for the driver who fatally struck a man as he tried to cross U.S. 92 in Seffner.
The crash happened shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday as the 74-year-old Tampa man, who was using a walker, tried to cross U.S. 92 west of Williams Road and was struck by a car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The pedestrian died from his injuries at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the car drove away after the collision, troopers said. Investigators found pieces of the vehicles side mirror that indicate it was a black Honda sedan. The mans walker was not found at the crash scene, so troopers believe it was dragged by the car or got stuck on it.
The Highway Patrol did not name the man who was killed.
Anyone with information about the crash or the driver is asked to call the Highway Patrol at 813-558-1800. From a cellphone, callers can dial *FHP or contact Crime Stoppers at **TIPS .
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