Florida is one of the most dangerous places in the nation to drive a car. Clearwater is particularly prone to motor vehicle accidents–which means that if you live here, you have an increased risk of being hurt in a crash.
Understanding Clearwater car accident statistics can give drivers a sense of how and why our roads are so dangerous.
At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our car accident lawyers are here to help you recover fair compensation if you were hurt in a crash caused by someone else.
Don’t hesitate to call our Clearwater office to schedule a free consultation with our team today at (727) 787-2500.
How Can An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Help With My Clearwater Car Accident Claim?
Statistically, we’re all likely to be involved in a car wreck at some point in life.
Florida’s no-fault insurance law assumes this–and requires every Florida driver to purchase at least $10,000 in personal injury protection (PIP) coverage.
As any driver in Clearwater can tell you, pursuing an injury claim can be complex even if you aren’t seriously hurt in a crash.
Victims of serious injury crashes often face an uphill battle despite rules designed to protect injured parties. Why is this?
It’s because insurance companies will do everything possible to minimize their own financial liability. They’ll use trends and statistics to blame the victim and drive down the value of your claim.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can work to prevent these tactics from succeeding. When you choose Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, you can expect our car accident attorneys to:
- Stand up for your rights when insurance carriers try to use blanket assumptions to reduce your insurance payout
- Work with respected experts to find out what you really deserve
- Negotiate with the insurance company to get the most compensation possible
Hard data doesn’t lie: the roads in Clearwater are often a dangerous place to drive, walk, or bike. If you were hurt because of someone else’s careless driving, give us a call today to learn how we can help minimize the financial fallout.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Clearwater?
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported 15, 532 motor vehicle accidents in Pinellas County during 2022. 9,132 people were injured and more than 100 were killed in 2022 car accidents in our county alone. That actually represents a slight decrease from 2021.
By way of comparison, FLHSMV reported 15,532 total accidents and 120 fatal crashes for 2022. These statistics only account for crashes that took place in Pinellas County.
It’s likely that hundreds more motorists were hurt in car crashes in the surrounding communities and across Central Florida.
Historical Analysis of Clearwater Car Accident Data
Car accidents are on the rise in Clearwater and across Pinellas County. Statistically, more car accidents occur in Clearwater than the average in cities across Florida. In 2018, 29,656 car accidents were reported in Pinellas County. That’s a 4% increase when compared to the total number of crashes between 2013 and 2017.
Research shows that fatal car crashes increased even more during 2018–by 7% when compared to the prior five-year period.
When Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Clearwater?
Traffic authorities in the area compiled data about car accidents that occurred between 1996 and 2017. In that 21-year period, Clearwater city data shows that more fatal car accidents happened during the daytime than any other time of day. 47% of Clearwater accidents happen during daylight hours.
The remaining crashes happened:
- During the dark, with lighted conditions (42.3%)
- During nighttime hours, with no lighting (7.8%)
- At dusk (1.9%)
- At dawn (0.08%)
- In the dark, with lighting conditions unknown
Also surprising: 89% of all Clearwater traffic accidents happen during clear conditions. Only 7.8% of accidents happened in the rain.
Identifying Dangerous Intersections in Clearwater
Of course, some areas are more dangerous to drive than others. A study conducted in 2015 shows that the most dangerous intersections in Clearwater included:
- S.R. 60 at Belcher Road
- U.S. Highway 19 at Drew Street
- Fort Harrison Avenue at Chestnut Street
The most dangerous stretch of roadway in Clearwater was on Enterprise Road between U.S. 19 and Village Drive.
Statistics Show Increased Danger for Clearwater Pedestrians
Car accidents involving pedestrians are significantly more likely to cause serious injury or death. In Clearwater, pedestrians are much more likely to die in a car accident than in any other county in Florida.
Studies show that pedestrian accident fatalities in Pinellas County and Clearwater are 80% higher than average across the United States. A study analyzing fatalities between 2011 and 2015 put our communities at the greatest risk for pedestrian fatalities in Florida during 2011, 2014, and 2015.
In 2018, 41 pedestrians died in car accidents across the county. In 2019, that figure increased slightly to 42 pedestrian fatalities.
Common Causes of Accident Injuries in Clearwater, FL
Florida is known for being a dangerous place to drive. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Clearwater and across the state. Unfortunately, the Florida law banning texting while driving didn’t go into effect until July 2019.
Some of the other leading causes of car accidents in Clearwater, Florida include:
- Speeding
- Texting while driving
- Cell phones
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Failure to yield
- Drunk drivers
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Vehicle defects
- Road hazards
You might have been hurt in an accident that was completely out of your control. If that’s the case, the at-fault party should be required to pay fair compensation to cover all of your losses. Our lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers are here to launch a complete investigation into your crash.
Regardless of the cause, we have the resources and experience to get to the bottom of it.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Car Crash in Clearwater?
Florida’s modified comparative fault rules allow accident victims to recover compensation from anyone whose actions contributed to the cause of the accident. However, you cannot receive any monetary award if your percentage of fault exceeds 50%.
Everyone who shares in the blame is assigned a percentage of fault. As long as their apportioned fault is 50% or less, compensation awarded to accident victims is reduced by their percentage of fault.
Identifying the cause of the accident is key to locating the responsible parties, who may include:
- At-fault drivers in truck accidents
- Pedestrians and bicyclists
- Government agencies responsible for road repair and intersection design
- Employers of negligent drivers
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle part
- A passenger who distracted an at-fault driver and caused the crash
Of course, drivers of passenger vehicles can also be responsible for a crash. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows that, statistically, around 47% of people killed in auto accidents aren’t wearing a seatbelt.
Insurance companies will use these statistics to try to avoid paying fair compensation if you were hurt in an accident. You don’t have to back down and accept a lowball settlement. Our car accident lawyers at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers have the skills necessary to minimize your role in the crash.
Clearwater Car Accidents Often Cause Serious Injury
Over 10,405 people were hurt in 7,157 crashes in Clearwater and the surrounding communities in 2019. Many of those accident victims suffered serious and debilitating injuries. At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys will fight to get compensation for all of your injuries, including:
- Brain injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Eye injuries
- Hearing damage
- Crush injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Severe burns
- Broken bones
- Traumatic amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you were hurt in a crash, don’t wait to call a Clearwater car accident attorney. The clock is already ticking. Under the Florida statute of limitations, you have only two years to build your case and file a personal injury lawsuit (as of March 24, 2023, when Florida law was updated – claims that accrue prior to that date typically have a four-year deadline).
Give us a call today to learn more about how you can protect your rights.
Damages Available to Clearwater Car Accident Victims
Statistics show that settlements and verdicts for accident victims are rising faster in Florida than in any other state. That doesn’t mean accident victims don’t have to fight to get what’s rightfully theirs. Car accident victims in Clearwater should be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical bills
- Lost earning potential
- Physical therapy, corrective surgeries and long-term care
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Property damage
- Damages for wrongful death
- Punitive damages for victims of accidents caused by intentional acts, such as drunk driving
Car insurance companies are skilled in getting injured victims to accept lowball settlement offers. Our attorneys at Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers are here to fight back. If you were hurt in a crash, don’t hesitate to call for a free consultation today.
Contact an Experienced Car Wreck Attorneys to Learn More About Clearwater Statistics
If Clearwater car accident statistics are a predictor of future events, the odds of getting hurt in a crash in Pinellas County are especially high. At Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers, our personal injury lawyers in Clearwater will do everything we can to prevent you from becoming a financial victim.
To learn more about what we can do to maximize your compensation award, call to arrange a free case review today.
