Over 30,000 people will die in the United States every year because of car accidents. However, an estimated 35,900 people will die within one year of their car accident. This could be due to any number of factors, including medical error or failing to seek proper medical attention.
It could also be due to a disability or injury that the driver or passenger sustained during the crash. Regardless, car accident deaths affect an untold number of people every year, even if those individuals are not directly involved with the accident.
Most fatal car accidents involve another vehicle, but a surprising number of vehicle deaths are because the vehicle ran into a fixed object.
*Adapted from information provided by the United States Census Bureau.
Florida’s Fatal Car Accident Statistics
Florida has one of the highest total number of fatal crashes in the United States. It ranks third in the United States, following Texas and California. The type of accident involved will change the likelihood that a death occurs.
*Adapted from information provided by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Car occupant deaths are still by far the highest percentage of vehicle deaths, but pedestrian accidents in Florida also make up a large percentage of the accidents. This is in the higher range when compared to other states, but it is far from the highest. Unsurprisingly, most of Florida’s accidents occur in urban areas (60%).
Florida’s car accident death rate was 2.6 in 1990, and it has decreased to 1.3 in 2009. The 2009 number has stayed about the same in Florida: in 2013, the rate was about 1.25.
In 2013, then, there were about 12.3 deaths for every 100,000 Florida residents. This is higher than the United States’ overall average of 10.3 deaths for every 100,000 United States residents.
Costs Associated with Car Accident Deaths
Costs that are associated with car accident deaths are usually made up of medical costs and lost wages. However, there are also related expenses, including funeral costs and the unquantifiable costs of losing a loved one.
Florida seems to have a disproportionately high cost of death from motor vehicle accidents compared to surrounding states.* This significant difference is likely because of the high total number of fatal crashes that occur in Florida.
| State | Crash-related Death Costs |
| Alabama | $1.07 billion |
| Florida | $3.16 billion |
| Georgia | $1.55 billion |
| Kentucky | $871 million |
| Mississippi | $881 million |
| North Carolina | $1.50 billion |
| South Carolina | $1.01 billion |
| Tennessee | $1.15 billion |
*Adapted from information provided by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
Of Florida’s $3.16 billion in costs, most of that is attributed to the death of young adults (42%). This is partly because young adults (ages 20 to 34) who are killed in a car accident are being robbed of their earning potential. That is, they would have earned a significant amount of money over their lifetime if they had the opportunity. Adults (ages 35 to 64) also make up about 34% of the total costs.
Avoiding an Accident in Florida
The best way to avoid an accident in Florida is to stay alert, keep your eyes on the road, and follow the rules of the road. These tips are especially important in Florida, because as residents, we need to practice defensive driving.
In 2014, there were 97.4 million tourists that visited our home state (a record-breaking year), and you can bet that some of those tourists caused motor vehicle accidents by failing to follow the rules of the road. Keep an eye out for other drivers, and assume that everyone is a tourist who has no idea where they are or where they are going.
If a Motor Vehicle Accident Has Affected You…
Fetterman & Associates, PA can help. Whether you lost a loved one or you have injured in a motor vehicle accident, the West Palm Beach car accident attorney at Fetterman & Associates, PA has your back. We understand that losing a loved one is extremely difficult, both emotionally and financially. Give us a call at 561-845-2510 so we can provide you with a free case evaluation.