Common Causes & Types

Home » Orlando » Car Accident Lawyer » Common Causes & Types

Every day, we hear in the media about the various types of car accidents that occur in Orlando. Even on our way to work, we are not immune to being involved in an accident. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles are moving on Central Florida roads every day. Unfortunately, a high percentage of drivers ignore the rules of the road. Someone is bound to get into an accident, with the consequences being injuries and costly medical treatment.

Common Types & Causes of Orlando Car Accidents

Orlando car crashes range from minor damages to total destruction of the vehicle. The police officer who makes the report must classify the accident and indicate the causes that led to it. In Orlando police reports and summaries, we see the following types of car incidents:

Rear-end collisions;
side-to-side collisions;
car rollovers;
head-on collisions;
T-intersection crashes;
accidents involving excessive vehicle speed;
distracted driving;
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
drowsiness while driving;
vehicle malfunction, etc.

An investigation will clarify the circumstances of the car accident.

What are the Accident Statistics in Florida?

National population statistics (CDC) indicate that the total number of fatalities is increasing every year; in 2019, there were 3,609 car incidents, or 11.5 per 100,000 population. In 2020, there were 7.2% more fatalities than the year before.

In Florida, there were 3,183 deaths in 2019, or 14.8 deaths per 100,000 population. Common causes of traffic fatalities in Florida for 2019 were distributed as follows:

car passengers- 975;
passengers in pickup trucks and SUVs- 591;
passengers in large trucks- 31;
motorcyclists – 591;
pedestrians – 713;
cyclists- 160.

What Are the Most Common Types of Auto Accidents?

The most common types in Orlando are the following subgroups:

Speeding. This makes it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle on turns.
Failure to obey traffic signals. In these situations, the most common type of crash is a side impact.
Texting. Nine people are killed each day in the U.S. in this type of crash. Police officers write several thousand tickets every day to drivers who use cell phones while driving.
Drunk driving. This is the most painful type of accident; it kills more than 10,000 Americans each year, including people in Orlando County.
Driving under the influence of drugs. It is not only drug addicts who drive a car, but also people who are prescribed medication by their doctors. In this situation, Orlando car accident attorneys will gather evidence that the drugs for the injured patient were an acute life necessity, and were not abused.
Weather conditions. Despite constant warnings from Orlando weather services, drivers risk their lives and health when they hit the road in bad weather.
Drowsiness. One in 25 Americans has admitted to falling asleep while driving in the last month. This type of accident is most common among those who drive commercial vehicles (trucks, pickups, and tractors).

Head-On Collisions

This type of crash is considered to be the most deadly, but the total number is statistically less than other classes and categories of car incidents. Most often, the incident occurs on a two-lane road when one vehicle overtakes the vehicle ahead of it and veers into the oncoming lane, resulting in a head-on collision. Fatal crashes can be reduced by the use of seat belts by the passenger and driver.

Fatal Car Accidents

Fatal car crashes account for less than 1% of car accidents in Florida. Nevertheless, more than 3,100 people are killed each year. Common causes are aggressive driving, poor weather conditions, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions are common when there are signs of distracted driving or when the cars are close to each other and an improper maneuver is executed. Whiplash injuries are more common in these crashes.

Lane Change and Merging Accidents

The driver chooses the wrong distance when changing lanes. Crashes are also common in lane merging incidents. This type of accident most often involves side impacts, where the driver’s or passenger’s side door is blocked.

Intersection Accidents

Various signs and signals around intersections indicate how to maneuver correctly. Unfortunately, driver inattention and pedestrian negligence result in Orlando intersection crashes.

Fixed Object Collisions/Single Vehicle Accidents

More often than not, these incidentsoccur under unexpected circumstances. For example, a driver may collide with an animal that suddenly appears on the roadway. In addition, these accidents have occurred when a driver hits an obstacle or when part of the highway is defective.

What are the main causes of car accidents in Orlando?

In 2019, there were 2,950 car incidents in Florida, in which 3,183 people were killed. Orlando County is one of the areas with an unfavorable pattern of car accidents. Causes of crashes in the county include:

Speeding;
various types of distracted driving;
bad weather conditions;
driving under the influence of alcohol; and
fatigued (drowsy) driving.

These are the cases associated with the largest number of lawsuits in which our Orlando car accident lawyers are directly involved.

Speeding

There are recommended speed limits for counties in Florida. For example, within a residential area, a car must be driven at no more than 25 miles per hour. In areas where schools or other educational facilities are located, the speed limit is no more than 20 miles per hour.

Aggressive or Reckless Driving

Sometimes, a bad mood or other unpleasantness causes a person to drive too aggressively and thereby create an accident situation. In such a state, a person loses control and pays less attention to road signs and signals.

Drunk Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol creates a danger not only for the driver but also for other people, including pedestrians. Despite Florida’s strict laws, the number of drunk drivers has not decreased from year to year.

Running Red Lights and Failure to Yield

Forbidding traffic lights and other signs regulate traffic safety. Ignoring signals and signs creates hazards on the road. The result can be fatal or other negative consequences.

Distracted Driving

This is the largest group of incidents. Distracted driving is classified as cognitive, involving distracting visual objects or manual distraction. More often than not, the driver takes rash actions—texting, eating or drinking, talking to other people in the car—that draw his or her attention away from the street or road.

Large Truck Accidents

Accidents tend to happen with commercial vehicles. Drowsiness and fatigue are the main causes of these crashes. Employers do not respect work and rest time for the driver, who may end up causing a truck accident through fatigue.

Get a free consultation

By getting a free consultation with our lawyer, you can find out what compensation and benefits you are entitled to receive if you are injured. In addition, a lawyer can help you properly file a claim against the insurance company or the person at fault for the car accident. The initial consultation will always be free for clients.

References and Resources:

https://pardyrodriguezlaw.com/causes-of-orlando-car-accidents/

https://www.tragoslaw.com/personal-injury-guide/top-causes-car-accidents/

https://www.lorenzoandlorenzo.com/personal-injury-guide/car-accidents-common-causes/

https://www.rhinolawyers.com/what-are-the-most-common-types-of-car-accidents-in-florida/

https://www.flhsmv.gov/resources/crash-citation-reports/

https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2019.pdf

https://bernsteininjurylaw.com/areas-of-practice/auto-accident/florida-car-accident-statistics/

https://www.frankeidson.com/practice-areas/car-accidents/common-types-of-car-accidents/

https://attorneystrialgroup.com/news/florida-car-accidents/

https://autojusticeattorney.com/car-accident-types-different-injuries/

https://dawsonlawfirm.com/5-crucial-steps-to-take-after-a-car-accident-in-florida/