How Often Does Someone Die In A Florida Car Accident?
Bill Allen | October 29, 2024 | Car Accidents
No family member or friend wants to get a phone call telling them that their loved one has passed away. These situations can be especially traumatic when they’re the result of a sudden car accident.
Unfortunately, many Florida families have had this experience, as fatal car accidents are prevalent across the state. Find out just how common fatal accidents have become in Florida, some of the causes and impacts of accident fatalities, and what you should do next if your loved one has died in an accident.
Statistics About Fatal Car Accidents In Florida
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 3,320 fatal car accidents across the state in 2022, which is just under 10 fatal accidents per day.
According to data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Florida ranks consistently in the top five U.S. states for car accident deaths. In 2022, the state ranked number three, right behind California and Texas.
Why So Many Fatal Car Accidents Occur On Florida Roads?
Fatal accidents occur for many different reasons, including:
- Distracted Driving: drivers who may be eating, texting, talking on the phone, or chatting with someone in the car, taking their attention away from the road
- Fatigued and Drowsy Driving: drivers who are tired or sleepy, which negatively impacts attention, judgment, decision-making, and even coordination
- Impaired Driving: drivers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol, which can impair judgment and lead to reckless decisions
- Speeding and Reckless Driving: drivers who drive too fast or disobey traffic laws, increasing the chances of running into another car or object
- Poor Road and Weather Conditions: drivers who are trying to navigate storms, bad lighting, or other conditions that impair their ability to judge dangerous situations
In some cases, more than one of these conditions may have contributed to a loved one’s fatal car accident. These causes are often uncovered during an investigation by a well-trained and experienced attorney.
The Impact Of A Loved One’s Sudden Death
Fatal car accidents can have a huge negative impact on families. If you were in the car when the accident happened, you may have sustained serious injuries that will require you to get treatment and take time away from work, resulting in high medical bills and lost wages.
Even if you were not involved, you may still be suffering emotionally and financially. Consequences that families often experience as a result of fatal accidents include:
- Loss of a parent’s or spouse’s income
- Funeral and burial costs
- Anxiety, depression, or PTSD from the sudden loss
- Hospital bills (if your loved one didn’t immediately pass away)
These losses can take a toll on families, making it hard to move forward after your loved one passes away.
How An Attorney Can Help Affected Families Seek Justice
In the wake of a tragic car accident, family members may wonder if something could have been done to prevent their loved one’s death. However, not all accidents are preventable.
But many others are. Negligent drivers can cause irreparable harm to families because they are drunk, under the influence of drugs, distracted by a negligent passenger, or just plain reckless behind the wheel. In these cases, many families wonder what they can do to hold the perpetrator responsible.
Under Florida law, families are often able to bring a lawsuit against the person who hit their loved one and caused their death. However, while the link between a car accident and a loved one’s death may be clear, proving damages or knowing how much to sue for can be confusing.
Fortunately, an experienced car accident attorney can help in this regard. During this difficult time, families should have someone with legal experience on their side fighting for the compensation they deserve. A knowledgeable attorney will bear the burden of building the case and overseeing the legal proceedings, ensuring the family can pursue healing in peace.
Contact Our Gainesville Car Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville car accident lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have three convenient locations in North Central Florida:
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292
Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258