With just over 300,000 people, Orlando is the fourth largest city in Florida, but that only tells part of the story. Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World are three of the ten biggest tourist attractions in the state, and most of the people who come here, arrive by car. The following statistics come from the most recent DHSMV report for the year 2020. However, because of the pandemic and lockdowns, the numbers may not reflect normal driving years. Where applicable, we will also provide earlier statistics for comparison.
Orange County Car Accidents by the Numbers
In 2020, there were 23,268 individual crashes, with 18,318 injuries and 174 deaths in Orange County. A year earlier, the number of accidents was 31,595, with 24,014 injuries. With 173 deaths in 2019, the difference in accident-related deaths was negligible.
Orange County Rankings Compared to Other Counties
With 1.4 million residents, Orange is the fifth most populous county in the state. Predictably, Miami-Dade, Broward, West Palm Beach, and Hillsborough counties are one through four, in that order. How did Orange County's accidents compare with these other large Florida counties in 2020?
1. Miami-Dade
- Population – 2.7 million
- Accidents – 51,543
- Deaths – 314
- Injuries – 24,228
- % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 47.6%
2. Broward
- Population – 1.94 million
- Accidents – 34,050
- Deaths – 268
- Injuries – 18,984
- % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 56.5%
3. Palm Beach
- Population – 1.49 million
- Accidents – 22,106
- Deaths – 185
- Injuries – 12,832
- % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 58.9%
4. Hillsborough
- Population – 1.46 million
- Accidents – 24,168
- Deaths – 213
- Injuries – 16,450
- % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 68.9%
5. Orange
- Population – 1.43 million
- Accidents – 23,268
- Deaths – 174
- Injuries – 18,318
- % of Accidents Resulting in Injury or Death – 79.5%
While Orange County accidents, accident injuries, and deaths are commensurate with their population size, the numbers yield one alarming fact: nearly 80% of Orange County accidents result in injury or deaths.
Fatal Accident Trends in Orlando
There has been surprisingly little change in the annual number of fatalities attributed to car accidents — even in 2020, where travel to Orange County was inhibited by the COVID-19 pandemic. Orange County reported 177 deaths in 2018, 173 deaths in 2019, and 174 deaths in 2020 for a three-year average of 175. It's important to note that the civil litigation rules are different for accident-related wrongful death suits than for other types of personal injury lawsuits. If you've lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Orlando, contact Weinstein Legal to discuss your standing in the case and other important details.
Drug and Alcohol Involvement in Orlando Accidents
Many Florida cities have reputations for being “party cities,” but between our many theme parks, sporting events, conventions, and nightlife centers, Orlando has more than its fair share of alcohol or drug-related accidents.
In 2020, Orange County had 225 alcohol-confirmed crashes. Of those, 145 resulted in injuries and 25 fatalities. Additionally, it had 24 drug-confirmed crashes, with 16 injuries and 14 deaths. It's important to note that one crash can often yield multiple injuries or the death of some occupants and injury of others.
Pursuing Compensation After an Orlando Car Crash
If you've been injured or a loved one has been killed in an Orlando collision, you're going to need a car accident lawyer on your side. The legal system may favor the car insurance companies, but with an Orlando car accident lawyer on your side, you can get the settlement that you deserve. Here are a few tips to help you make a full physical and financial recovery.
- Don't hesitate to get medical care. It will not hurt your case, so go to a doctor or to the hospital right away.
- Document everything with photos or video. Photos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries can be very useful as you pursue your claim.
- Do not accept a settlement offer without first speaking to an attorney. You will have to sign a release that prevents you from seeking further damages.
Speaking to An Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Florida
Weinstein Legal has helped car accident victims throughout the state. In addition to Orlando and Orange County, the firm's car accident attorneys handle cases throughout Central Florida, Miami-Dade County, Broward County and in Palm Beach County. Weinstein legal handles cases on a contingency basis, so you will not have to pay out of pocket for top-tier legal representation. Call today.
