Fort Lauderdale Accident Statistics

June 29, 2022 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Fort Lauderdale Accident Statistics Fort Lauderdale, one of Florida's most populous cities, is the state's second-largest city. It attracts more than 10 million visitors yearly, despite a city population of 165,000. Tens of thousands of snowbirds make it their summer home. It is no surprise that the city has a high volume of traffic and a large number of tourists who are unfamiliar with the roads, which leads to many traffic accidents. In a state known for reckless driving, thousands of car accidents occur annually in Fort Lauderdale. Uninsured drivers, drunk drivers, and drivers distracted by their phones have all contributed to the city's reputation as having some of the country's most dangerous roads. In terms of Fort Lauderdale's road safety, what are the actual statistics? What actions should you take if you get involved in an accident in the city? This guide will teach you all about Fort Lauderdale accident statistics and your legal options when you get into a crash. If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a car accident, contact a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer today for a free case evaluation.

Car Accident Statistics in Fort Lauderdale

Millions of people are injured or killed due to car accidents each year in Fort Lauderdale. These unfortunate events leave numerous individuals to mourn the loss of their loved ones. The state's Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported 34,050 crashes in 2020 and 41,376 in 2021. These accidents resulted in 268 fatalities and 18,984 in 2020, while in 2021, there were 263 fatalities and 23,098 injuries. The low number witnessed in 2020 was due to the less activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of car accidents went up by approximately 18 percent over a year. Perhaps driving has been made more dangerous by the city's growing population due to the high number of tourists visiting the city and the high number of people moving to the city.

Fort Lauderdale Auto Accident Statistics

Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/

Pedestrian Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Being a pedestrian can be dangerous, and this risk is higher in Fort Lauderdale due to the high number of tourists. They frequently stroll the streets between stores and the beach as they go about their daily routines. Car drivers do not always look out for people. Accidents still occur, despite the presence of crosswalks and other safety measures. In fact, many locals complain about the poor quality of the sidewalks. In the United States, Fort Lauderdale is the second-most dangerous city for pedestrians. Cars and pedestrians alike are at risk on the roads. In 2020, there were 867 pedestrian crashes and 68 fatalities. However, the number increased by almost 19 percent, and the total number of pedestrian crashes was 1036, with 76 fatalities.

Hit and Run Statistics in Fort Lauderdale

Hit and run accidents are another common alarming phenomenon in Fort Lauderdale that has claimed many lives. Nearly 30 percent of the traffic accidents in Fort Lauderdale are hits and runs. There were 10,521 hit and run crashes in 2020, with 25 fatalities. In 2021, the number increased to 12,992 crashes and 33 fatalities. This is an alarming rise of 23 percent.

Bicycle and Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Fort Lauderdale

NHTSA data shows that in October 2021, the states with the most bicycle fatalities were Florida, California, and Texas. At 0.75 per 100,000 residents, Florida had the highest per capita death rate from bicycle accidents. Fort Lauderdale saw 602 bicycle and motorcycle crashes with six and 49 fatalities, respectively, in 2020. In 2021, the number increased, with 716 bicycle crashes and 702 motorcycle crashes. Fort Lauderdale experienced 17 fatal bicycle accidents and 38 fatal motorcycle accidents. Some of the speculations of the causes of the alarmingly high accident rate in Fort Lauderdale are:
  • It is a seasonal city: A drop in temperature in other cities while Fort Lauderdale remains warm causes numerous individuals to flock to the city. Increased population means more traffic leading to more accidents.
  • It is a party city: Increased tourist population contributes to the party vibe in the city. Since driving is a culture in Fort Lauderdale, it makes the roads even more dangerous.
  • It is a growing city: Fort Lauderdale's rapid growth creates traffic problems. To improve traffic, more roads were constructed, increasing the chances of an accident because debris can blow onto the road and trigger a collision.

Securing Compensation for Injuries Sustained After Accidents in Fort Lauderdale

Accidents can drastically alter your and your family's life. An accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale can track down the parties responsible for your accident. It is not uncommon for accident reconstructionists to re-create the site of the accident as part of their investigation. Speeding, texting while driving, construction hazards, automotive issues, and intoxicated driving are all examples of some of the causes of most road mishaps. An attorney can assist you in obtaining compensation from a variety of sources. No matter how serious your injuries are and how little the money you can get from the other driver's insurer is, an experienced lawyer can pursue compensation from other parties who may be liable. You may, for instance, recover compensation from a party host or restaurant that serves a visibly intoxicated drunk driver.
Truck Accident Attorney
Matthew Dolman, Auto Accident Lawyer
What if a car accident injured you? Do not argue with insurance companies. To prevent the stress of battling through personal injury claims to receive full compensation for past and future medical expenses, loss of earning capacity, lost income, vocational rehabilitation if necessary, and pain and suffering, you need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. Spouses, children, or parents can file wrongful death lawsuits when their loved ones die in car accidents. Assisting those who have suffered a financial setback can help them focus on their recovery and reorganizing their lives. If survivors cannot work due to their injuries, they may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, lost pay, emotional distress, and other losses.

Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you or your loved one is involved in an accident in Fort Lauderdale and you want to file an insurance claim or an injury lawsuit, a personal injury attorney can help. The right personal injury attorneys have vast experience in tirelessly fighting and winning compensation claims for their clients to recover damages from a personal injury. Contact a personal injury attorney today and let them help you navigate the legal process complexities to pursue the best possible outcome for you.

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has represented over 11,000 injury victims and has served as lead counsel in over 1000 lawsuits. Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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