The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that 7,277,000 car accidents occured nationwide in 2016. This figure means that a car accident occurs about every seven seconds in the U.S, and in the same year, the NHTSA estimates that 37,461 people were killed in car accidents across the United States, which equals roughly 102 deaths per day and one fatality every 14 minutes.
Although each state has different collision rates, Florida is one the top contenders nationwide. In fact, WUSF News reported that I-4 was the most dangerous highway in the country in 2017, and I-95 was not far behind, ranking as the fourth most dangerous highway in the nation. So, the question on every driver’s mind is “what is causing all of these accidents?”
Negligent Driving in Florida
Car accidents occur for a host of different reasons. However, there are certain trends both in Florida and the United States that demonstrate some of the most common reasons why a large majority of accidents occur one of which is negligent driving. In 2016, The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) estimates that accidents involving a negligent driver resulted in a total of 795 fatal car accidents and thousands of non-fatal accidents across the state.
Negligent Driving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The effects of car accidents start to become apparent when the statistics are analyzed by county. Although the causes of accidents are mainly reported as statewide figures, certain accident factors are available that are based on geographic location. These factors demonstrate the annual costs in life and property that each county pays as a result auto accidents.
For example, in 2016, Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward county had an estimated 11,890 car crashes involving drivers between the ages of 15 and 24. Tragically, of those accidents, 32 resulted in fatalities, which is over double the amount of fatalities in that age bracket from 2014.
Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs and Alcohol
Despite harsh DUI laws and national campaigns against intoxicated driving, a large number of accidents involve drivers impaired by alcohol, drugs, or both. In 2016, over 5,840 car crashes involved an intoxicated driver or non-motorist in Florida alone. The more shocking fact, however, is that nearly 12% of these accidents resulted in fatalities.
Intoxicated Driving in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Thankfully, the number of accidents involving intoxicated drivers or non-motorists has declined in the Ft. Lauderdale area from 258 in 2015 to 251 in 2016, which represents a three percent decline. This decline is also reflected in the fatality rate associated with accidents involving intoxicated drivers or non-motorists which declined 39% from 31 fatalities in 2015 to 19 fatalities in 2016.
Distracted Driving Accidents in FL
The invention of the cell phone and other electronic devices throughout the 21st century has changed the way we do many things, including driving, but unfortunately, a driver that is talking or texting on a cell phone is not focusing on the road. In 2016, the DHSMV estimated that 241 fatal accidents occurred involving a driver that was distracted due to an internal or external distraction factor. Regardless of the type of distraction, distracted driving results in thousands of accidents in the state of Florida every year.
Collisions in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Distracted driving, driving under the influence, and negligent or careless driving are just some of the most common factors that can cause a car accident to occur, but the burden of proving that an at-fault driver acted in a negligent manner falls on the other driver. If you have been the victim of a Fort Lauderdale car accident, 1800-Injured can connect you with a professional car accident lawyer who can assist you in establishing that proof.
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