Serious auto accidents happen every day. Across Florida, there are hundreds of thousands of crashes every year, with roughly 40 percent involving injuries or fatalities. Florida has one of the highest auto accident rates in the nation, and it has the country’s highest rate of motorcycle accident fatalities.
Although Clay County’s accident rate is slightly below the statewide average (statewide, approximately one percent of the population will be involved in an auto accident each year, while the rate in Clay County is 0.7 percent), this still translates to thousands of accidents each year. Additionally, the number of accidents in Clay County increased each year from 2012 through 2016, and 2017 is currently on pace to potentially be another record year.
A Closer Look at the Data: Auto Accidents in Clay County, FL
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) maintains an up-to-date online database of auto accidents throughout the state. Here are some of the most-noteworthy statistics for Clay County:
- In 2012, there were 1,911 accidents in Clay County. In 2016, this number increased to 3,053. Through early September, there have been more than 1,700 accidents in the county; and, with accident numbers historically being highest in the last months of the year, there is a good chance that we will see a number that surpasses 2016’s total by the end of the year.
- In each of the past several years, October, November, and December have been the most dangerous months for auto accidents in Clay County. This is generally consistent with statewide accident rates, although the monthly numbers are more uniform in other parts of Florida.
- Consistent with statewide figures, approximately 40 percent of all auto accidents in Clay County involve personal injuries. Approximately half of all injury-involved crashes result in injuries to two or more drivers or passengers.
- Crashes involving commercial trucks account for approximately seven percent of all auto accidents in Clay County. This is lower than Florida’s statewide average, which tends to hover around 10 percent.
Why Are There So Many Auto Accidents in Florida?
While the FLHSMV’s data do not indicate crash causes, there are a number of national trends and other factors that suggest a variety of reasons for the state’s high rate of motor vehicle collisions. Some of these include:
- Drunk Driving – According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida’s drunk-driving rate is slightly higher than the national average. Each year, close to a thousand people are killed in alcohol-involved accidents in Florida.
- Distracted Driving – In recent years, distracted driving accidents have skyrocketed, and cell phone use is currently among the leading causes of vehicle collisions. Studies have shown that texting behind the wheel causes impairments on par with those of alcohol intoxication.
- High Traffic Volume – Florida’s streets and highways are packed with cars, motorcycles, trucks, and SUVs. Traffic volume increases during tourist season, which may help to explain the annual spikes in motor vehicle collisions.
Speak with an Orange Park Injury Attorney at Ansbacher Law
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an auto accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To schedule a free consultation with an attorney at our offices in Orange Park, please call (904) 737-4700 or inquire online today.
