Jacksonville Accident Statistics
Statistics clearly show Jacksonville is one of the riskiest cities in Florida for serious car accidents. Congested streets like I-95 and the city's alarming percentage of drunk, speeding, or distracted drivers are primarily to blame.
Along with accidents being more common in Jacksonville, they're also likely to be more severe. The number of fatal car crashes in the metropolitan Jacksonville area, has increased yearly since 2018.
Let's examine why Jacksonville drivers need to exercise caution and how a skilled car accident attorney can help you get compensation after a crash.
420 crashes that involved impairment from drugs or alcohol
Regarding crash-related fatalities, the trend line for the greater Jacksonville area is very troubling.
There were:
143 deaths in 2018
158 deaths in 2019
187 deaths in 2020
193 deaths in 2021
Overall, Jacksonville has an average of 20 accident-related deaths per 100,000 residents. To put that statistic into context, Florida has around 16 motor vehicle fatalities per 100,000 residents, while the country has only 11 such deaths per 100,000 residents.
These numbers reveal a significant problem with road safety in the Jacksonville area. While serious crashes can happen anywhere throughout the city, drivers are more likely to collide in certain hot spots. The team at News4Jax analyzed crash reports for the year 2020 and compiled a list of the most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville. These areas share heavy traffic and are near major freeways like I-10 or I-95.
The top 10 intersections in Jacksonville where you have to drive carefully are:
Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle: 116 crashes
Blanding Boulevard and Argyle Forest Boulevard: 90 crashes
Blanding Boulevard and Collins Road: 72 crashes
Atlantic Boulevard and Southside Boulevard: 69 crashes
103rd Street and Ricker Road: 66 crashes
103rd Street and Blanding Boulevard: 59 crashes
Beach Boulevard and Hodges Boulevard: 56 crashes
Beach Boulevard and Southside Boulevard: 55 crashes
Baymeadows Road and Southside Boulevard: 54 crashes
Pursuing Compensation After A Jacksonville Car Accident
In the aftermath of being in a car accident, getting compensation for medical bills and car repairs is a major priority. Many victims suffer serious injuries like broken bones, whiplash, or spinal cord damage. They may require surgeries, extended hospitalizations, and even long-term physical therapy. The expenses can add up fast, especially if the victim has to stop working during their recovery.
Under Florida's no-fault system for accidents, each driver involved in a collision must file for compensation from their insurer, and the question of fault is irrelevant. However, some car accident victims will have damages beyond the payout limits of their no-fault insurance policy. In these cases, Florida law allows you to pursue the at-fault driver to make up the difference.
Getting Compensation From Your Insurer
After an accident, all Florida drivers must begin the claim process to get compensation from their own insurer, called filing a first-party claim. Insurance companies are well-known for trying to keep their costs as low as possible, making them likely to downplay the policyholder's damages.
Some important guidelines for getting a fair settlement offer include:
Notify your insurer of the accident immediately: Failure to promptly report that you've been in a car crash can jeopardize your claim.
Provide detailed information about the accident and its aftermath: An experienced Jacksonville car attorney can help you document the circumstances of the crash and all your resulting damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and property damage to your vehicle.
Familiarize yourself with the details of your policy: Have your attorney review your insurance plan's fine print to ensure you can maximize the value of your claim and recover all the funds you deserve.
Negotiate, if necessary: Many first-party claims will initially receive a lowball offer that doesn't adequately cover the policyholder's expenses from the accident. Your attorney can help you provide evidence to substantiate your damages and prepare a fair counteroffer.
Getting Compensation From the at-Fault Driver
When a car crash causes severe injuries, the funds available through the motorist's own insurance plan may not be enough to cover all the damages. If the at-fault driver has purchased liability insurance, car accident victims can file a third-party claim to recover more compensation under the terms of that policy. However, Florida state law doesn't require this type of insurance, and many drivers don't purchase it.
Another option to recover more compensation is filing a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a skilled Jacksonville car accident lawyer. Florida's civil courts use several different factors to determine a fair judgment award, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of receiving medical care, and any
income you lost because of the accident.
How a Jacksonville Car Accident Attorney Can Help
Matthew Dolman, Personal Injury Lawyer
Being in a serious car accident is a terrifying experience that also comes with many physical, emotional, and financial costs. Your life can easily get turned upside down, especially if you're unsure how to cover your expenses. Getting fair compensation for your damages after a Jacksonville car accident may be a long and complicated process, but you don't have to attempt it yourself.
Contact a skilled car accident lawyer who can help you navigate the filings, gather evidence to prove fault, and negotiate with insurers to maximize the value of your claim.
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 successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic 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.
