What are the most common causes of Florida car accidents?

Learn what frequently causes car accidents so you can protect yourself on the road! 

Florida is one of the most dangerous states for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. According to the Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were more than 400,000 crashes in 2018 that resulted in over 3,000 fatalities and over 250,000 injuries.

In another blog post, we explored some of the reasons why Florida is such a dangerous place to drive. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the specific causes of car accidents in Florida and in the United States as a whole. The more you know about why car accidents happen, the more vigilant you can be while driving.

You can’t control every circumstance, though; while you are responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle, there are numerous factors outside of your control that could lead to a crash. At The Florida Law Group, we hope you are never injured a collision, but if you are, we are here to advocate for your best interest while you focus on recovering! Our track record of winning maximum compensation for wrongfully injured car accident victims has earned us a spot in the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum® and recognition from many other national organizations. Contact us for a free case evaluation!

The Data

Between 2005 -2007, the U.S. Department of Transportation conducted the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey, which collected firsthand information about factors leading up to crashes involving light vehicles. This survey included Florida, although it did not primarily focus on Florida, but the findings that the survey reveals contain useful information for Florida drivers to know.

It is worth noting that Florida is the state with the 3rd highest number of semi-truck crashes, and that Florida only recently became one of the few remaining states to make texting and driving a primary offense, so large trucking maneuvers and distracted driving may cause a disproportionate amount of accidents in our state. Florida’s population has also increased in size since 2007, so some of the following data may no longer reflect accurate numbers; however, roads and drivers have not changed dramatically, so the information in the survey is still relevant for today’s drivers.

Driver Error

It should come as no surprise that overwhelmingly, crashes are caused by drivers. The study confirmed that 94% of the crashes surveyed were attributed to driver error.

Recognition error, which includes things like texting and driving, internal distractions like attending to kids in the backseat or loud music, external distractions, and inadequate surveillance, was the most common driver error found, accounting for 41% of accidents caused by drivers. Decision errors, such as speeding, illegal maneuvering, failure to signal properly or misreading other’s intentions, was the second most common driver error, accounting for about 33% of accidents caused by drivers. Performance errors, like overcompensating or poor directional control, accounted for about 11% of accidents caused by drivers, while drowsy driving accounted for 7%.

Vehicle Malfunction

About 2% of crashes surveyed (roughly 44,000) were attributed to vehicle malfunction or issues.

Because this survey only took in on-scene information, and did not follow any of these cases through investigation, there is no way of knowing exactly what the vehicle malfunctions were or whether or not the manufacturer or owner was to blame. However, a brief on-site inspection revealed that of the 2% of vehicle malfunction crashes, 35% were caused by tire problems, 22% by brake-related problems, 3% by steering/suspension/transmission/engine-related problems, and 40% by unknown or other defects.

Environmental Factors

Another 2% of crashes surveyed were attributed to environmental factors, such as roadway and atmospheric conditions.

Over half of this percentage were caused by slick roads. 17% were caused by glare, 11% by view obstruction, and 3% by signs and signals. Weather conditions caused only 4% of accidents attributed to environmental factors.

Injured in a car accident because of one of these reasons?

A crash can cost you thousands of dollars in medical bills, vehicle repair, and emotional healing, so you shouldn’t suffer for someone else’s mistake! The data is on your side – this survey shows that you are not alone, regardless of what caused your crash. The Florida Law Group has litigated hundreds of personal injury car accident cases that involved faulty vehicle parts and reckless drivers. We know what it takes to stand up to insurance companies or large legal teams and fight for justice!

You can trust us to litigate your claim and help you understand all of your legal options. Contact us today if you think you have a case!