Tampa Car Accident Statistics

Car Accident Statistics in Tampa Near You

Most drivers in Tampa get to their destinations each day without incident. However, as Tampa car accident statistics prove, thousands more are hurt or killed on the roads each year.

As an accident victim, you could be entitled to financial compensation if you were seriously hurt, a Tampa car accident attorney can help.

Contact the attorneys in Tampa at Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation at (813) 686-7588 to learn more about whether you’re entitled to compensation.

Understanding State, Local, and Nationwide Car Accident Statistics

Transportation authorities collect data on traffic accidents at both the state and local level. Information is also collected nationally by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Nationwide, 42,795 motor vehicle accident fatalities were reported in 2022. Thousands more were seriously hurt. In the Sunshine State, the numbers are equally grim.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Florida?

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) provides information about the thousands of crashes that happen in Florida every year.

In 2023, there were 391,140 motor vehicle accidents reported in the sunshine state.

The report for 2023 shows that:

251,795 people were injured across the state
3,401 people lost their lives in fatal accidents
275 traffic fatalities and 22,601 injuries were caused by hit-and-run accidents

It can also be useful to understand the types of vehicles most likely to be involved in a fatal crash. The report shows that:

222 fatalities occurred in bicycle accidents
778 fatalities occurred in pedestrian accidents
603 fatalities occurred in motorcycle accidents

That means more than 47% of the total fatalities reported in Florida were motorcyclists, bicyclists, or pedestrians.

Typically, 52% of all fatal crashes in the state of Florida happened in single-vehicle accidents. In 2021, 1,877 (50%) were caused by multi-vehicle crashes. 46% of all fatal accident victims were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

Statewide, 5,000 car wrecks involved alcohol in 2023. 288 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents that year.

Hillsborough County, FL Car Accident Statistics

FLHSMV data also provides a county-by-county breakdown. In Hillsborough County alone, 233 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents during 2023. 18,878 people were injured in that single year.

The FLHSMV report provides the following data on accidents that occurred in Hillsborough County:

66 pedestrians were killed
39 motorcycle accident victims died
15 bicycle fatalities occurred

Unfortunately, law enforcement in Hillsborough County also reported 7,067 hit-and-run accidents during 2023. 1,744 injuries resulted from those crashes --and 26 fatalities.

How Often Does Alcohol Play a Role in Car Accidents in Tampa?

County-wide statistics for 2023 also provide information about drunk driving accidents in Hillsborough County:

444 motor vehicle accidents involved alcohol
24 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents
268 people were injured in drunk driving accidents

Of course, it isn’t always easy to know what caused a car accident. Multiple factors might contribute to the cause of any auto accident. Remember, there’s no risk in calling Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for help after a motor vehicle accident. Your initial consultation is always 100% free of charge.

Where Are the Most Dangerous Roads in Tampa?

Some roads in Tampa are simply more dangerous than others.

According to a Vision Zero Action Plan study, some of the most accident-prone stretches of road in Hillsborough County include:

Brandon Boulevard, from Falkenburg Road to Dover Road
Gibsonton Drive, Boyette Road, from I-75 to Balm Riverview Road
Hillsborough Avenue, from Longboat Boulevard to Florida Avenue
Fletcher Avenue, from Armenia Avenue to 50th Street
Dale Mabry Highway, from Hillsborough Avenue to Bearss Avenue
Lynn Turner Road, from Gunn Highway to Ehrlich Road

While each of these stretches of roadway was identified for priority improvements, it’s important to remain vigilant if you’re driving in these areas.

How Can an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Help if I Was Hurt in a Car Accident in Tampa?

Florida is a no-fault insurance state. Because of that, car accident victims are often tempted to handle their injury claims alone. Unfortunately, that can mean taking home a much lower settlement offer than you deserve.

Wondering why? Your no-fault insurance policy limits will cap the amount you can recover from your own insurance company after an accident. However, if you’re seriously hurt, you have the right to pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. But you shouldn’t expect their insurance company to make it easy.

An experienced Tampa personal injury attorney can help in a number of ways.

When you hire Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, our Board Certified civil law specialists and legal team will:

Gather evidence to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your accident
Work with experts to demand fair compensation for your losses
Review the evidence and locate proof to protect you when the insurance company tries to blame you for causing the accident
Negotiate to get the maximum compensation possible in your case

If you were hurt in a car accident, know that you’re not alone. Statistics show that Florida residents are extremely likely to be involved in a crash at some point in time. Hundreds of thousands of accidents are reported statewide each year.

Statistically Speaking, These Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Florida

In any car accident case, it’s critical to identify the cause of the accident. Florida Department of Transportation statistics show that the following are among the leading causes of car accidents in Tampa, FL:

General negligence
Failure to yield the right of way
Improper backing
Dangerous U-turns
Improper left-turn
Running a stop sign or red light
Failure to stay in the driver’s lane
Speeding
Improper lane change/passing
Disregarding road signs or traffic markings

Statistically Speaking, These Are the Leading Causes of Car Accidents in Florida

Police reports often fail to identify texting or cell phone use as an accident cause. Despite this, distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car crashes in the Tampa area.

Distracted drivers are much more likely to violate traffic laws--sometimes without even realizing it.

You deserve to know why you got hurt. Our Tampa wrongful death and personal injury attorneys at Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers will put in the resources necessary to identify the cause of your crash. All you have to do is call our law offices and ask for help.

How Long After a Crash in Tampa Can I File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Under Florida law, accident victims have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and two years to sue for wrongful death. Historically, personal injury victims in Florida had four years to file a legal claim for damages. However, the law was updated on March 24, 2023, providing less time to take legal action. If your Tampa collision happened after this date, you're subject to the two-year statutory deadline.

These time limitations are extremely important. If you wait until the deadline passes, you’ll lose your right to compensation.

The more quickly our lawyers can get to work, the greater your chances of recovering maximum compensation become. We’ll investigate, locate the evidence to determine the cause of your crash, and demand compensation from all responsible parties.

Were you one of the nearly 20,000 people who were hurt in the Tampa, Florida area in a single year? If so, Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover full compensation from the at-fault driver. Call our law offices today to arrange a free consultation and learn more about your right to compensation.