The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) estimates more than 400,000 traffic accidents occur annually, with around 30,000 in the Orlando area. Car, truck, motorcycle, and other traffic accidents can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, injuries that impact people for the rest of their lives.
If you suffered injuries in an Orlando accident, contact an Orlando car accident lawyer to find out if you can seek compensation for damages. We are always a phone call away and prepared to offer you answers and legal help based on our extensive experience in motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury matters.
Here, our attorneys have created this Orlando accident statistic guide to offer an overview of the major trends and characteristics of Orlando accidents based on recent data.
How Dangerous is Orlando to Drive In?
Orlando routinely ranks among the top cities for dangerous highways and roads. However, it is outranked in terms of accident fatalities when compared to other Florida localities. In a recent year, the top five countries for the highest number of motor vehicle fatalities in the state were as follows:
- Miami-Dade County
- Broward County
- Hillsborough County
- Orange County
- Palm Beach County
Dolman Law Group proudly serves these locations as well as the greater Florida area, with law offices on both coasts for your convenience. Wherever you find yourself injured, you can count on our trusted legal advocacy to navigate the aftermath of an accident.
Types of Orlando Accidents
No matter where you live, the risk of personal injury is always present. Motor vehicles account for a large number of accidents in most cities, and Orlando is no exception. Car accidents occur daily in Orange County, and many of these lead to severe and fatal injuries. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) offers a comprehensive database of accident reports throughout the state. Here is an overview of the accidents in the Orlando area:
- More than 400 bicycle accidents occur annually, including several fatal bike crashes.
- About 500 motorcycle crashes occur yearly, including more than 25 fatal motorcycle accidents.
- More than 500 pedestrians suffer injuries in Orlando accidents each year, with at least 50 resulting in death.
In 2022 alone, the Florida Highway Patrol and police departments registered a total of 26,165 vehicle accidents in Orange County, including pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Of these, 20,663 resulted in injuries.
While these numbers may be shocking, they fail to capture the far-reaching effects that a single car crash or accident injury can cause. As legal professionals, we see the consequences of these events on a daily basis and know how important it is for injured victims to be aware of their rights and options after suffering an unexpected catastrophe.
Orlando Car Accident Statistics
Source: https://www.flhsmv.gov/
Impaired Drivers in Orlando Accidents
Of the many factors that contribute to Orlando accidents, intoxicated driving presents one of the most nefarious and with a high potential of causing catastrophic injuries. Alcohol-impaired drivers cause thousands of accidents and injuries in the Orlando area each year, and this substance may potentially cause more harm in Orlando and throughout Florida than drug use.
Nonetheless, all types of impairment have consequences for users who get behind the wheel and those with whom they share the road. These statistics reveal the prevalence of drug-impaired and drunk driving accidents in Orlando:
- Almost 350 alcohol-related accidents occur in the Orlando area each year, resulting in hundreds of injuries and between 30 and 50 fatalities per year.
- Drug-related crashes are a small portion of Orlando traffic accidents, but they have increased. More than 35 drug-related accidents occur each year, including about 20 deaths.
Although drug-related crashes are low, the rate of death is much higher. Let's look at data from select years before COVID-19 to see the trend:
- 2014 – 13 fatalities occurred in 14 drug-related Orlando accidents (93 percent).
- 2015 – 10 fatalities occurred in 21 drug-related Orlando accidents (48 percent).
- 2016 – 18 fatalities occurred in 33 drug-related Orlando accidents (55 percent).
- 2017 – 24 fatalities occurred in 41 drug-related Orlando accidents (59 percent).
- 2018 – 19 fatalities occurred in 36 drug-related Orlando accidents (53 percent).
- 2019 – 23 fatalities occurred in 37 drug-related Orlando accidents (62 percent).
In comparison, here is a breakdown of the rate of fatalities for alcohol-related Orlando accidents during the same years:
- 2014 – 30 fatalities occurred in 330 alcohol-related Orlando accidents (9 percent).
- 2015 – 40 fatalities occurred in 371 alcohol-related Orlando accidents (11 percent).
- 2016 – 48 fatalities occurred in 326 alcohol-related Orlando accidents (15 percent).
- 2017 – 32 fatalities occurred in 362 alcohol-related Orlando accidents (9 percent).
- 2018 – 24 fatalities occurred in 304 alcohol-related Orlando accidents (8 percent).
- 2019 – 43 fatalities occurred in 318 alcohol-related Orlando accidents (14 percent).
Regardless of what type of intoxicating substance a driver used, impaired driving constitutes severe negligence and has no place on our roadways. If you were injured by a driver who acted recklessly, a car accident attorney can help you identify the type of negligence that occurred and help amass proof to support your claim for compensation.
Commercial Motor Vehicles in Orlando Accidents
The category of commercial motor vehicles (CMV) includes various types of motor vehicles, but most are trucks. Drivers need a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate a CMV, such as a semi-truck, dump truck, garbage truck, or delivery van. Orlando's thriving tourist industry welcomes visitors for pleasure and business, requiring an abundance of commercial trucks for pickups and deliveries.
These accidents result Trucks are heavier than the average motor vehicle, creating an impact during a crash that leads to more property damage, injuries, and a higher chance of death. Additionally, many commercial drivers work long hours and night shifts, leading to a higher incidence of driver fatigue.
- Each year, approximately 3,000 CMV crashes occur in the Orlando area.
- Each year, more than a dozen people die in CMV accidents in Orlando.
- CMV accidents in Orlando lead you about 14,000 injuries annually.
Who Is an Orlando Accident Most Likely Injure?
The FLHSMV does not offer city data about driver demographics, but their state data reveals the following information about Florida drivers. It's fair to assume that trends in large cities like Orlando follow statewide trends, which include:
- The likelihood of an accident decreases after a driver turns 34 years old.
- Drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 are most likely to be involved in an accident and are more likely to die or sustain incapacitating injuries.
- Drivers between 25 and 29 are more likely to crash their vehicles while intoxicated.
What Causes Orlando Motor Vehicle Accidents?
Florida Highway Patrol, Orlando Police, or another local police department must record any driver actions that lead to an accident on the official crash report. Thus, state data includes information about the causes of accidents. According to the FLHSMV, the following driver actions— listed from most to least common—are most likely to contribute to car accidents in Florida and the Orlando metropolitan area.
- Negligent operation of a motor vehicle
- Failure to yield to the right of way
- Following too closely or tailgating
- Failure to stay in the proper lane
- Running red lights
- Improper backing
- Improper turning
What Are Road and Weather Conditions in Orlando Accidents?
Although driver behaviors are typically the primary cause of an accident in Orlando, other factors can contribute to a crash when drivers fail to adapt their behavior to inclement weather conditions. For example, a driver who drives too fast during heavy rains may run the risk of skidding or sliding, which could contribute to an accident with other vehicles. Here are some key crash statistics concerning weather conditions in Florida accidents:
- About 75 percent of accidents occur on clear days without clouds or any type of inclement weather.
- Similarly, close to 70 percent of accidents occur during daylight hours, especially during the afternoon rush hour.
- Cloudy days typically see more accidents than rainy days.
- More than 80 percent of Florida accidents occur on dry roads.
Rain or shine, Orlando drivers must obey traffic laws, respect public roadways, and stay educated about good driving behavior. If not, they risk being involved in an accident and confronting serious consequences.
Get the Legal Help You Need
Minor accidents are a hassle, but serious accidents that lead to severe injuries are life-altering events that result in significant damage. The statistics above show the gravity of accidents in the Orlando area. Even if you put safety first behind the wheel, you still risk being involved in an accident every time you drive.
While some of that risk may be unavoidable, it doesn’t mean you’re without a choice. If you have suffered injuries in an Orlando auto accident, contact a Dolman Law Group attorney as soon as possible to learn about your next steps.