South Florida Personal Injury Attorney for Car Accident

Car Accident Statistics

You already know that car accidents needlessly cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. In fact, they are the leading cause of death for people between the ages of 6 and 27. But did you know that in 1999:

• There were approximately 6,289,000 reported auto accidents in the U.S.
• About 3,200,000 people were injured in car accidents and 41,345 lost their lives
• 38% of car accident fatalities involved alcohol
• 4,695 pedestrians were killed in auto accidents
• 63% of car accident fatalities were attributed to passengers who were not wearing a seat belt.

Definition of Terms 2007 Florida Traffic Crash Statistics

The following terms are defined as they apply to the crash data presented in this publication. These definitions may differ from legal or other uses of the same terms.

Alcohol-related traffic crash A crash involving a driver and/or pedestrian for whom alcohol use was reported (does not presume intoxication).

Bicycle A vehicle propelled solely by human power or a motorized
bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an
electric helper motor rated at 200 watts or less (this term
does not include a vehicle with a seat height less than 26
inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its
highest position, or a scooter or similar device).

Bicyclist The driver of a bicycle. A passenger on a bicycle is
considered a vehicle passenger.

Commercial motor vehicle (CMV) Means any motor vehicle or motor vehicle combination used on the streets or highways which:
1) has a gross, declared, or actual weight rating of 26,001
pounds or more;
2) is designed to transport more than 15 persons, including the
driver; or
3) is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be
placarded.

Driver Unless otherwise indicated, the operator of a motor vehicle
or bicycle. Driver data typically exclude uninjured persons
presumed to have been operating hit-and-run, phantom, or
properly parked vehicles.

Drinking driver Indicates investigating officer's judgment on whether a driver was using alcohol. Codes include alcohol-under influence,
alcohol and drugs-under influence, and had been drinking.

Fatal traffic crash A traffic crash that results in one or more fatalities within thirty days of occurrence.

Harmful events Identifies the first and subsequent harmful events for each vehicle in a traffic crash.

Injury Hurt, damage, or loss sustained by a person as a result of a traffic crash. Definitions for the various injury levels are as follows:

Possible injury No visible signs of injury but complaint of pain or momentary unconsciousness.

Non-incapacitating injury Any visible injuries such as bruises, abrasions, limping, etc.

Incapacitating injury Any visible signs of injury from a crash and person(s) had to be carried from the scene.

Total injury The sum of possible, non-incapacitating, and incapacitating
injuries.

Injury crash A non-fatal traffic crash that results in one or more injuries.

Long form Refers to a crash report prepared by a law enforcement
officer where there has been a crash resulting in bodily injury,
the death of a person or where a specified criminal offense
has been committed.

Moped A motor-powered cycle with a pedal-activated motor and a
maximum of two brake horsepower.

Motor vehicle Any motorized vehicle not operating on rails.
Motorcycle A motor vehicle, with a seat or saddle for the driver's use,
traveling with no more than three wheels in contact with the
ground, excluding a tractor or a moped.

Motorcyclist The driver of a motorcycle. A passenger on a motorcycle is
considered a vehicle passenger.

Short form Refers to a crash report in which the threshold of the long
form does not apply. Therefore, a long form report is not
prepared. In crashes where apparent damage is less than
$500, the law enforcement officer shall provide each party
involved in the crash a short form prescribed by the state, to
be completed by each party of the parties.

Traffic crash A crash involving at least one motor vehicle on a roadway
that is open to the public.

Traffic fatality The death of a person as a direct result of a traffic crash
within thirty days of the crash occurrence.

Vehicle and/or property Loss of all or part of an individual's vehicle and/or property damage only crash resulting from a traffic crash not involving injury to a person.

Vehicle occupants Drivers and passengers of automobiles, vans, trucks, buses, and motor homes.