Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics
Gregg Hollander | March 10, 2025 | Car Accidents
Accidents on our roads can happen in a blink of an eye. One moment, everything seems normal. The next moment, someone’s car might skid, or two cars might crash into each other. When these incidents happen, we call them motor vehicle accidents or crashes. Because so many people drive every day, these crashes are very common. They can cause injuries, damage, and even deaths. If you are involved in a crash, a car accident attorneycan help protect your rights and guide you through the legal process.
What Are Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics?
Motor vehicle accident statistics are numbers and facts that tell us how often crashes happen, how many people are hurt, and what causes them. Officials and safety groups, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), track these numbers yearly. They collect reports from police stations across the country. By looking at these statistics, we can see how big the problem is and how to make our roads safer.
According to government sources, there were about 5.93 million police-reported crashes in the United States in 2022. These crashes caused an estimated 2.38 million injuries and took the lives of 42,514 people. That is, a lot of people get hurt in just one year.
Even though the number of deaths in 2022 is slightly lower than in 2021, it is still much higher than in some past years. Roadway deaths increased significantly in 2020 and 2021, making it vital to watch these numbers closely.
Why Do We Compare 2022 to 2021?
When professionals study crashes, they often compare one year to the one before it. Doing this lets them see if things are getting better or worse.
In 2021, there were about 6.10 million crashes and 42,939 fatalities. That is slightly more deaths than in 2022. In 2022, deaths dropped to 42,514, only about a one percent decrease. Also, the overall number of crashes and injuries went down by a small amount:
- Police-reported crashes dropped about 2.8 percent from 2021 to 2022.
- Injuries dropped about 4.6 percent at that same time.
Even though these drops might seem small, they are still good news. A small drop can mean thousands of fewer injuries and hundreds of fewer deaths. However, we should remember that the total death count is still very high compared to the years before 2020. Many professionals link the big jump in deaths during the pandemic (2020–2021) to riskier driving habits that started when the roads were less crowded. So, we are still dealing with the effects of that spike.
What Caused the Spike in 2020 and 2021?
People talk about 2020 and 2021 because those years showed big jumps in roadway deaths. This happened even though, in 2020, there were fewer cars on the road for part of the year (due to the pandemic). Professionals believe that some drivers take more risks when roads are emptier. They might have driven faster, paid less attention, or even driven under the influence of alcohol or drugs more often.
By 2021, traffic volume returned, but risky behaviors did not always go down. So, the crash counts and deaths stayed high. In 2022, we finally saw these numbers level off or drop slightly, which is a sign that driving might be getting safer again. Still, we are not back to where we were before 2020, when the death toll was about 36,000–38,000 people a year.
Which Factors Lead to Most Crashes Nationwide?
There are many reasons why crashes happen. However, a few factors repeatedly appear in police reports and official data. Below are the top factors that professionals say lead to most crashes in the United States:
- Impaired Driving (Alcohol or Drugs): In 2022, more than 13,500 people died in alcohol-impaired crashes, almost one-third of all traffic deaths.
- Speeding: Driving too fast is tied to about 28 percent of fatal crashes. High speed lowers reaction time and causes more severe injuries when crashes happen.
- Distracted Driving: Over 3,300 people died in 2022 due to distracted driving. Cell phone use, texting, eating, or adjusting the radio can cause a driver to lose focus.
- Not Wearing Seat Belts: About half of people who die in crashes are not wearing seat belts. While not the cause of a crash, seat belts lower the chance of severe injury or death.
Those four factors appear repeatedly. That is why there are many safety campaigns that try to prevent people from driving drunk, speeding, or texting on their phones and encourage them to buckle up.
Who Is Getting Hurt in These Accidents?
A motor vehicle accident can hurt anyone. Still, some people are at a higher risk. For example:
- Drivers and Passengers in Cars: They make up over half of the people who die in crashes each year.
- Pedestrians: In 2022, about 18 percent of all traffic deaths were people walking on or near roads. Pedestrian fatalities have been going up in many places, including busy cities.
- Motorcyclists: They accounted for about 15 percent of traffic deaths in 2022. Since motorcyclists have little protection, any crash can be very serious.
- Bicyclists: Although a smaller group, their share of fatalities has been growing. In 2022, around 1,084 cyclists were killed, up from 971 in 2021.
Young drivers (like teenagers) sometimes have a higher crash rate, but older adults (70 years or older) can also face bigger risks due to health or slower reaction times. Men are far more likely to be in serious crashes, making up about 71 percent of people who died in accidents in 2022. Professionals say men often drive more miles and may drive riskier (like speeding or driving under the influence).
Why Are There So Many Crashes on Rural Roads?
A surprising fact is that many fatal crashes happen on rural roads, even though fewer people live there. In 2022, about 45 percent of deadly crashes happened on rural roads (FHWA data cited by multiple agencies). Part of the reason is that these roads often have higher speed limits, fewer lights, and fewer police patrols.
If a crash happens in a remote area, it might also take longer for an ambulance to arrive, leading to worse outcomes for injured people. Many drivers feel more relaxed in rural areas and may not pay as close attention to safety rules like wearing seat belts or watching their speed. This all adds up to more risk.
How Do Seat Belts Play a Role?
Not wearing a seat belt does not cause a crash, but it does affect what happens when a crash occurs. In many car accidents, the difference between walking away with a minor bump and facing serious harm can be whether someone was wearing a seat belt.
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nearly half of the people who die in passenger vehicle crashes are not wearing seat belts. Those are preventable deaths. Safety officials stress seat belt use because each one percent increase in seat belt use can save hundreds of lives every year.
How Many Crashes Happen in Florida?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), there were around 396,726 crashes in 2022. That is a big number, but it is slightly lower than the about 401,533 crashes in 2021. Still, roughly 1,086 crashes happen in Florida every day. That averages to about 45 crashes every hour.
Florida also saw about 3,429 fatal collisions in a recent, which led to 3,484 total traffic deaths. That is a small rise from 3,405 traffic deaths in 2021, showing that while total crashes and injuries went down, deadly crashes did not drop in the same way. About 9–10 people died each day on Florida roads in 2022, a number that safety consultants call alarming.
Why Are Florida’s Crash Numbers So High?
Florida has a few unique traits:
- Large Population and Tourists: Millions of people live there, and millions visit. Popular tourist locations bring many out-of-state drivers who might be unfamiliar with local roads.
- Busy Highways and Interstates: I-95, I-75, and I-4 handle heavy traffic. Crowded roads can lead to more accidents.
- Weather: While Florida does not have snow, it has hurricane season and heavy rains. Rain can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, and sometimes, sudden downpours catch drivers off guard.
- Year-Round Driving: Because the weather is warm, more people drive motorcycles and bicycles all year. This extra traffic adds to the risk of crashes.
These factors make Florida roads more dangerous than those in other states. However, there are also many safety campaigns to help lower these numbers.
What Do We Know About Injuries in Florida?
Not all Florida crashes lead to injuries, but many do. In 2022, there were about 249,913 injuries reported on Florida roads. That is a slight drop from about 252,561 injuries the year before. If we break it down, roughly 685 people get hurt each day in Florida traffic incidents. These injuries can range from small cuts and bruises to serious conditions that change a person’s life forever.
Sadly, each injury takes a toll on the person, family, and community. People might face large medical bills or miss work. If the injury is severe, they may need special care. That is why Florida’s crash statistics are about more than just numbers; they reflect real lives changed by these accidents.
Who Is Most at Risk on Florida Roads?
In Florida, just as in the rest of the U.S., drivers and passengers in normal cars make up the biggest share of crash victims. But there are other groups:
- Motorcyclists: Florida has warm weather, so many people ride motorcycles. In 2022, around 600 motorcyclists died on Florida roads. Without the protection of a car frame, riders face a higher risk of serious injury or death if they crash.
- Pedestrians: Florida often ranks high for pedestrian fatalities. In 2022, about 700–750 pedestrians lost their lives. Many of these crashes happened at night or in areas without sidewalks or proper lighting.
- Cyclists: Bicycles are also popular in Florida, leading to around 155–160 cyclist deaths in 2022.
Drivers of any age can be involved in a crash, but young drivers (ages 15–24) and older drivers (65+) face special risks. Teenagers might be less experienced and more easily distracted, while older adults may have slower reaction times. Both groups need extra care to drive safely in busy Florida traffic.
Do Certain Times or Places in Florida Have More Crashes?
Yes. Some parts of Florida have more accidents simply because more people live or travel there. For instance, places like Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, and Duval counties see higher crash numbers. Cities such as Miami, Tampa, and Orlando have heavy daily traffic due to local drivers and visitors.
Crashes in Florida also increase during:
- Peak Travel Seasons: Winter months bring “snowbirds” (visitors from colder states), and summer months bring family vacations. More cars on the road usually lead to more crashes.
- Rainy Periods: Sudden, heavy storms can lead to skids and collisions. Florida’s hurricane season runs from June to November, adding more weather risks.
Nighttime and weekend crashes can also be more deadly, often involving higher speeds or impaired driving.
What are the Main Causes of Florida’s Crazes?
Florida crash reports often list similar causes as the rest of the country:
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs are big factors. In 2022, about 25–28 percent of all crash deaths in Florida involved alcohol.
- Speeding: Speeding appears in about 21–25 percent of fatal accidents. High speeds reduce reaction time.
- Distracted Driving: In 2022, over 53,000 crashes in Florida involved distracted driving. Phone use is a big culprit, but eating and dealing with passengers can be distracting.
- Seat Belt Issues: People who do not wear seat belts face a much higher chance of severe injury or death.
When Should You Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer?
A car accident lawyer can offer guidance if you are hurt or if there is a question about who caused the crash. They understand the laws about insurance and personal injury. They can help gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and work with insurance companies. Many people worry about the cost of a lawyer, but many lawyers do not charge unless they win money for your injuries.
You should always contact a lawyer if:
- You have serious medical bills and lost income.
- You think the other driver’s insurance is not offering a fair amount.
- You do not fully understand your rights and need a professional.
A car accident attorney will determine if you can receive money for repairs, medical bills, or missed work. They can also protect you if someone tries to blame you for a crash that was not your fault.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to deal with insurance companies, medical bills, or lost earnings, you do not have to face it alone. Talking to a car accident lawyer can provide the support you need. A personal injury lawyer can guide you through the next steps so you can focus on healing and moving forward.