The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recently released its crash data for 2021. While the data is considered “preliminary” and finalized data has not been published, it does provide a snapshot of trending motor vehicle accidents across Florida and in Okaloosa County. Analyzing the data is a sober reminder that motor vehicle accidents are one of the most common causes of serious injuries and deaths in our area. If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a Crestview auto accident lawyer can help you get back on your feet.
A Crestview Auto Accident Reviews the 2021 Florida State Crash Data
The most recent data for motor vehicle crashes across the state of Florida includes the following:
- There were 400,431 motor vehicle accidents in 2021
- 3,405 of those accidents resulted in fatalities
- Those accidents caused 252,562 injuries
- February 2021 had the fewest accidents with 29,309
- October 2021 had the most accidents with 35,633
These statistics are somewhat troubling when compared to the three year average for 2018, 2019, and 2020:
- 382,297 total accidents
- 2,989 fatal accidents
As you can see, there was a rise in both the total number of accidents and the number of fatal accidents in 2021 over the three-year average.
Okaloosa County - Our Crestview Auto Accident Lawyer Breaks Down the Data
Okaloosa County has also seen an increase in the total number of car accidents as well as the number of fatal car accidents over the three-year average:
- 3,418 (2021) vs. 3,394 (3-year average) total accidents
- 39 (2021) vs. 37 (3-year average) fatal car accidents
In a departure from the statewide data, Okaloosa County’s lowest number of car accidents per month occurred in November, with only 201 crashes. The highest number of car accidents per month in Okaloosa County occurred in May with 351.
Three Steps to Take if You Have Been Injured in a Car Accident
With more than 400,000 motor vehicle accidents per year, accidents that result in serious injury are unfortunately common. The consequences and challenges following a car accident can be overwhelming and make it difficult to know what to do next. If you have been injured in a car accident, we encourage you to take the following three steps:
- Seek medical treatment for your injuries;
- Keep copies of all bills, medical records, and other documentation related to your accident; and
- Contact a Crestview auto accident lawyer as soon as possible.
While you have up to four years to file a lawsuit related to your accident, valuable evidence could be lost if you do not seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Contact a Crestview Auto Accident Lawyer at Powell, Powell, & Powell for Help
We have decades of experience in helping people rebuild their lives following a car accident. If you have been injured and need help, contact us by calling 850-682-2757 to schedule a free consultation. We also have offices located in Fort Walton, Defuniak Springs, Destin, or Niceville if one of those offices is more convenient for you.