The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that approximately 2,400 people die in Florida crashes each year – 6 or 7 lives lost on average per day.  While many of the more than 200,000 crash investigations are accidents, many others are the result of reckless and negligent behavior behind the wheel.

August 2014 has already seen its fair share of bizarre traffic accidents: On August 7th, a Hialeah teenager who was walking in the Northbound lanes of the Florida Turnpike south of Griffin Road was struck from behind and killed. That same day, a man was hospitalized in a hit-and-run in Delray Beach—witnesses managed to get the license plate number of a Lantana woman who at first claimed that she had hit a mailbox.

Has there really been an increase in Florida crashes lately?

On July 1, 2012, an amendment to Florida Statute 316.066 came into effect, requiring law enforcement agencies to report additional crash data to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The additional data makes it appear as if there has been a statewide upsurge in crashes, while in fact the state has seen a steady decrease in accidents and road fatalities since 2005.

The 2012 Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Report, published by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, indicates that in 2012:

  • There were 281,340 traffic accidents, involving 468,470 drivers
  • There were 2,430 auto accident fatalities and 198,032 injuries
  • 9,867 of these auto accidents were confirmed to be alcohol-related, and another 10,824 were suspected to be alcohol or drug-related
  • 473 pedestrians were killed in crashes and another 7,413 were injured
  • 116 bicyclists were killed and another 6,058 were injured
  • 457 motorcyclists and their passengers were killed and another 8,648 were injured
  • 12% of Florida crashes involved teenage drivers

What causes most Florida car accidents?

Unsurprisingly, most fatal Florida accidents are caused by the following:

  • Drunk driving, which claims over 1,000 lives every year
  • Reckless driving, defined by Florida Statutes Section 316.192 as any willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property
  • Distracted driving, including texting and other cell phone use
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Failure to keep in the proper lane

If you have been in an auto accident, you are most likely facing huge medical bills, lost earnings and mental anguish. Injured par ties and the families of those killed in auto accidents may be entitled to monetary compensation.  Contact a West Palm Beach auto accident firm as soon as possible to assure that evidence is promptly gathered and preserved for your benefit.

If you have any questions on this blog or need information on other personal injury queries, please call the Law offices of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath located in West Palm Beach at 1-800 4-RIGHTS  (1-800- 474-4487)  We welcome your call and look forward to helping you.

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