Personal Injury Blog



Car accident deaths involving alcohol rose almost 15% in 2011.
In a nation with over ten million accidents reported annually, the potential for traffic accident injuries, and even worse, fatalities, rarely leave the minds of drivers everywhere. The risks are real and always present, whether you’re driving across the country or down the street.

When it comes to avoiding auto accidents and the suffering they bring to millions of Americans every year, knowledge is always key. By knowing what types of crashes are most commonly responsible for auto accident fatalities, and how local accident statistics relate to national reports, you can stay aware of inherent driving risks and use this information to change your driving behaviors for the better.

Sweeping Numbers: National and Local

In 2009, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded 10.78 million motor vehicle accidents nationwide; that’s 600,000 more than the previous year. For that same year, the total, nationwide motor vehicle accident death rate was reported to be almost 36,000, with almost 14,000 of those accidents being vehicle-on-vehicle collisions.

Other motor vehicles are not the only culprit in fatal auto accidents… in fact, in 2009, over 11,000 fatal accidents involved vehicle collisions with fixed objects, such as barriers, telephone poles or buildings.

On the national level, the rate of fatal traffic accidents per licensed driver is around 20 fatalities for every 100,000 drivers; 2 in every 10,000 drivers will, statistically, be killed in auto accidents annually.

Concentrating on Florida alone, those statistics take a startling turn for the worse. In 2010, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded over 235,000 traffic accidents, involving over 338,000 drivers. In that same year, the department reported 2,444 motor vehicle accident fatalities (and over 195,000 injuries).

What’s even more startling is how young many of those involved in fatal Florida car accidents are. As a total, almost 30% of all auto accident fatalities involve those in the 15-29 age group.

But what conditions, or specific accident types, are particularly prevalent in these unsettling statistics? In many cases, alcohol and drugs play a role in fatal Florida car accidents. In the following section, we’ll tackle how frequently alcohol and substances play a role in fatal accidents in Florida and nationally, as well as what types of vehicles and conditions are most common among fatal accident incidents.

The Most Commonly Fatal Type

As reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, passenger vehicle, pickup truck and SUV occupants account for 51% of all fatalities in Florida auto accidents, with other fatalities being attributed to motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists.

For all drivers killed in Florida auto accidents, alcohol was involved 61% of the time (550 driver fatalities out of 902), as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In 2011, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles estimated alcohol played a role in 920 auto accident fatalities, and over 17,000 accident incidents.

According to the department, alcohol-related auto accident fatalities rose over 15% from 2010 to 2011. Just like auto accidents involving alcohol, accident fatalities involving drug use surged between 2010 and 2011, seeing an increase of over 70%.

As a whole, the statistics on Florida auto accident fatalities reveal a surprising amount on local driving trends, and how reckless behaviors can result in tragedy with surprising frequency. While nothing can be done to bring back those fatally wounded in motor vehicle accidents, there can be justice for those affected, and financial compensation in financially crippling accident circumstances.

Immediately after an auto accident, whether involving yourself or a loved one, contacting a qualified auto accident attorney is one of the smartest things you can do to restore some sense of normalcy to your life. Nothing about auto accidents is easy; however, having a professional by your side, to fight for your rights and the compensation you need after an accident, can significantly ease the recovery process.

Typically, a myriad of parties, interests and roadway factors come into play in an auto accident case, especially those involving a driver, passenger or pedestrian fatality; these various elements often make building an accident claim more challenging than it ought to be. This is where professional accident attorneys can provide vital help.

Don’t go about handling your claim alone. To learn how to get the compensation you need immediately following an auto accident, or for professional support and guidance after the loss of a loved one in an accident, contact us right away.

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