Miami Accident Lawyer Blog
Fatal car accidents are an unfortunately common tragedy across the US and Florida, and especially in large cities like Miami. According to the Annual Report 2018 prepared by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were 2,917 deadly auto crashes that claimed the lives of 3,135 victims. Though the figures are not yet available for 2019, it is likely that the statistics will come close to the three-year average of 2,925 fatal accidents and 3,142 deaths. These numbers may not seem so high in the bigger scheme of things, until you realize the number of lives affected by one person’s death. For many more thousands of surviving family members, the future looks grim.
You may be entitled to compensation if you lost a loved one in a fatal auto crash, and a Miami car accidents lawyer can assist with the legal process. Meanwhile, some statistics on fatal collisions should be informative.
Year-to-Year Accident Trends in South Florida
The FLHSMV Annual Reports over the last few years include specific county-specific figures for South Florida.
- Miami-Dade County: There were 64,627 total crashes around Miami in 2018, a decrease over the previous year. However, the number of victims killed in auto crashes was 293 – an increase over 2017 and slightly higher than the three-year average of 291.
- Broward County: In 2018, 237 people lost their lives in 41,082 total motor vehicle accidents around Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood. These figures represent a 5.33% increase in the number of deaths in 2017.
- Palm Beach County: The fatalities rate took an even higher uptick around West Palm Beach, FL, where the number of victims killed went from 162 in 2017 to 183 in 2018.
Road Users Who are Most at Risk
When you look at the statistics regarding who is most likely to suffer fatal injuries in a South Florida auto collision, the figures may shock you:
- There were 85 riders killed in motorcycle accidents in the three counties listed above in 2018.
- More than 130 pedestrians lost their lives in incidents involving motorized vehicles – 107 of which occurred in Miami-Dade County alone.
- Bicycle riders are also at risk, as there were 128 people killed in bicycle accidents throughout South Florida in 2018.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Florida
In general, deadly motor vehicle crashes occur because of driver carelessness. Motorist negligence comes in many forms, including:
- Speeding;
- Drunk driving;
- Erratic lane changes or swerving into other lanes;
- Failure to yield right-of-way;
- Texting, talking on the phone, checking social media, and other forms of distracted driving; and,
- Many other dangerous acts.
Get in Touch with a Miami Car Accidents Attorney
If you lost a family member in an auto crash caused by someone else’s negligence, you need solid legal representation on your side. Our team at Gerson & Schwartz, PA will assist in seeking the compensation you deserve, so please contact our offices in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach, FL today. We can schedule a free consultation to review your case and talk about next steps.