In general terms, car accidents happen far more often than most people realize, affecting thousands of lives daily.
In the United States, a motor vehicle crash occurs every 5.3 seconds. In Florida, that adds up to over 1,000 crashes each day. In Fort Lauderdale, those numbers become personal.
If you find yourself recovering from injuries or facing medical bills, a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer can help translate those statistics into action that protects your rights.
U.S. Crash Frequency: Official Numbers
In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s 2022 Traffic Safety Report recorded 5,930,496 police–reported crashes across the U.S. That equals about 16,248 accidents every day, showing how common collisions are on American roads. Each one carries real consequences for the people involved.
That same year, NHTSA also reported about 42,514 traffic fatalities nationwide, an average of 116 people killed daily. On top of that, more than 6,528 people were injured each day, creating a ripple effect of medical care, missed work, and financial strain.
Staggering as these numbers sound, they come directly from the nation’s top traffic safety authority. The data make it clear how often accidents disrupt lives, families, and communities across the country.
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Florida’s Daily Crash Count
According to the Crash Facts Annual Report by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida saw nearly 395,000 crashes in 2023—over 1,000 every day. Those collisions touched thousands of people statewide.
That figure includes everything from minor fender benders at stoplights to multi-vehicle pileups and fatal wrecks on highways. Each crash, no matter how small, disrupts routines and adds to the statewide toll in property damage, medical bills, and time lost. Every collision leaves its mark on the people involved.
When you compare Florida’s numbers to national crash averages, it becomes clear how significant the risk is here. Florida reflects—and in some categories even exceeds—the broader trend, making traffic safety not just a statewide issue but a daily reality for communities like Fort Lauderdale.
Fatalities in Florida Crashes
Traffic in Florida also sees a high human toll. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC)’s transportation safety report finds that motor vehicle crashes kill over 120 people each day across the U.S.—more than 44,000 annually.
Florida recorded 3,184 traffic fatalities in 2024, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. That figure includes drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, and pedestrians across the state.
Each loss represents someone’s parent, partner, or friend—and reinforces how frequent and dangerous crashes still are.
Peak Times and Days for Crashes
According to the National Safety Council’s (NSC) report on Crashes by Time of Day and Day of Week, fatal crashes in 2023 peaked on Saturdays. Fridays saw the most non–fatal crashes, showing how weekend traffic creates different types of risk on Florida’s roads.
Time of day also plays a major role. The NSC report shows that both fatal and nonfatal crashes spike between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. During those hours, rush hour congestion mixes with fading daylight, making conditions especially hazardous for drivers and pedestrians alike.
When accidents happen frequently and on predictable schedules, the data becomes more than just numbers. It gives Florida drivers a clear reminder of when they should take extra caution—whether that means slowing down in traffic, watching more carefully for pedestrians, or staying alert during evening commutes.
Local Risk in Context
While crash data isn’t always broken down daily, the FLHSMV Crash Dashboard shows Broward County’s scope. Since January 1, 2025, there have been 24,286 total crashes, including 141 fatal crashes and 10,127 injury crashes. For Fort Lauderdale drivers, those figures highlight constant risks on local roads.
Behind each statistic sits a missed birthday party, a stack of doctor’s bills, or a ripple of guilt and confusion spreading through families. These crashes are not just events logged in a report—they’re moments that alter lives, often in lasting ways.
A Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney approaches these cases with more than spreadsheets and citations. They focus on the human stories that show how often crashes reshape lives, making sure insurers and courts see the full cost behind the data.
What You Can Do After an Accident
If you’re caught in one of those all-too-common crashes in Fort Lauderdale, your first steps matter more than most people realize. The shock of the collision can leave you scattered, but quick action helps protect both your health and your ability to make a claim later.
Take these actions right away:
- Call 911 for help and let medical professionals examine you, even if you feel fine at first.
- Document the scene with photos, the police report number, and witness contact details.
- Contact a Fort Lauderdale car accident attorney before speaking extensively with insurers.
Insurance adjusters move quickly, sometimes reaching out within hours to settle or record statements. Injury victims, however, need time to understand the impact of the crash. Being proactive with documentation and legal guidance gives you space to recover while making sure your rights don’t slip away.
Why This Data Matters to You
Numbers can feel cold, but each one represents a real person’s story. Whether a fender-bender or a serious crash, every accident can mean missed work, medical bills, and shaken confidence that lingers well beyond the moment of impact.
When car accidents happen often, the responsibility doesn’t rest only on individual drivers. We all share a role in making the roads safer—through better driving habits, more awareness, and by demanding stronger systems that hold up under pressure. That shared effort is what reduces the toll behind those statistics.
Putting People Before Paperwork
So, how often do car accidents happen? Often enough that nearly everyone in Florida knows someone touched by one. The impact is always personal, whether it’s missed time at work, medical treatments, or the shock of a routine drive gone wrong.
At The Schiller Kessler Group, our team brings more than three decades of experience to these cases. We’ve represented thousands of clients across Florida, and we know the difference it makes when someone takes your story seriously.
Call today to speak with a Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer who listens, moves quickly, and builds your case around what matters most—your recovery and your future.
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