Is Flying Safer Than Driving in Florida?
Paul Brannon | May 6, 2025 | Personal Injury
When considering travel safety in Florida, many wonder: Is flying safer than driving? While both modes of transportation carry inherent risks, you may want to consider the following when making a decision to fly or travel by road.
Florida’s Road Safety Landscape
In a recent year, Florida experienced approximately 395,000 car accidents, resulting in 3,375 fatalities and over 294,000 injuries. These figures underscore the prevalence of road accidents in the state.
Florida operates under a “no-fault” insurance system, mandating that drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. This coverage provides up to $10,000 for medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault.
Additionally, Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This law allows an injured person to recover damages only if they are less than 51% responsible for the accident. If the injured party is found to be equally or more at fault, they may be barred from any recovery at all. This legal framework can make navigating car accident claims complex and sometimes frustrating for injured parties.
Aviation Safety in Florida
Aviation accidents, while often high-profile, are relatively rare. Florida has the third-largest number of fatalities from plane crashes of all states in the United States.
Commercial aviation in the U.S. is heavily regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and follows rigorous safety protocols. Pilots undergo intensive training, and aircraft are subject to strict maintenance standards. Statistically, the risk of being involved in a fatal commercial airplane accident is approximately 1 in 11 million. Compare that with the odds of dying in a motor vehicle crash—roughly 1 in 101—and it’s clear why aviation is considered one of the safest modes of travel.
In Florida, individuals involved in aviation accidents—whether as passengers or affected third parties—have legal rights under the state’s personal injury laws. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim stemming from an aviation accident is two years. While these cases are rare, they can involve complicated jurisdictional issues and benefit from the expertise of an experienced personal injury attorney.
A Side-by-Side Comparison
While flying and driving each come with specific risks, statistics consistently show that flying is much safer than driving. Not only are there significantly fewer aviation accidents, but the likelihood of injury or death is far lower in the air than on Florida’s roads.
Driving does, however, offer more flexibility, and for short distances, it may still be the more practical option. But in terms of sheer safety, the numbers favor flying, especially when looking at fatality rates per mile traveled. Moreover, legal protections differ in each scenario. Car accident victims often face insurance hurdles and complex liability issues, while aviation accidents, though rare, tend to involve more thorough federal oversight and investigation.
Travel Safety in Florida
Deciding between flying and driving often depends on personal preferences, travel distance, and budget, but safety should be part of the equation, too. In Florida, the high number of road accidents and the state’s unique legal rules around fault and insurance make driving riskier than many people realize. On the other hand, aviation remains statistically safer and heavily regulated, offering peace of mind for longer trips.
If you or a loved one is injured in a transportation-related accident, whether on the road or in the air, it’s important to understand your rights under Florida law.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Northwest Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243
