Were you or a loved one injured in a car accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL? Fort Walton Beach car accident statistics illustrate just how dangerous the roads have become in our area. Our experienced Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to recover fair compensation for medical bills, calculate lost wages, and more.
We’ve been fighting to protect the rights of accident victims for decades. Over the years, we’ve recovered tens of millions of dollars in life-changing settlements and verdicts for our clients.
We’d be happy to use our experience to your advantage. Just contact our law offices in Fort Walton Beach, Florida at (850) 863-5297 to schedule a free consultation today.
How Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Fort Walton Beach
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers is a family firm run by a father-son team. We have over 60 years of experience providing the high-quality legal representation you deserve after an accident.
We know that the insurance claims process is rarely easy after an accident. Filing a claim isn’t enough. Instead, you’ll have to fight for the fair compensation you deserve. Our Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers are up to the challenge.
When you trust our AV-preeminent-rated firm to handle your injury case, you’ll have an experienced lawyer to:
- Provide the personal attention you deserve
- Handle the investigation into your car crash
- Determine what caused your accident
- Locate all parties who may share liability
- Help you understand your legal options
- Negotiate to recover the maximum compensation possible in your case
- Advocate for your legal rights at trial, if necessary
Our lawyers know how insurance companies work. We handle complex personal injury cases every day. Call our legal team to schedule a free case review today if you’re ready to speak with an experienced Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorney.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Fort Walton Beach?
Florida is one of the most dangerous states in the country to drive a car. During 2020 alone, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reported that 341,399 auto accidents occurred statewide.
3,075 of those motor vehicle accidents happened in Okaloosa County (down slightly from 3,576 crashes in 2019). In our county alone, 1,828 people were injured in car crashes during 2020. 45 people lost their lives in fatal car accidents.
According to some reports, road rage and reckless driving are on the rise in Fort Walton Beach. If you were injured because of another driver’s careless or reckless driving, you may deserve compensation. Call our Fort Walton Beach car accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
Fatal Car Accident Statistics in Fort Walton Beach, FL
Statewide, 3,098 fatal car and trucking accidents were reported in 2020. Those fatal crashes killed at least 3,332 people. Many of those crashes involved motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists:
- 169 people died in 5,952 bicycle accidents
- 552 motorcyclists died in 8,045 motorcycle crashes
- 715 pedestrians died in 8,117 pedestrian accidents
According to preliminary data for 2021, 3,181 people had already been killed in Florida car crashes as of December 2, 2021. That number is likely to increase as FLHSMV updates its resources over time.
45 people were killed in fatal accidents in Okaloosa County in 2020. For 2021, FLHSMV has already reported 35 fatalities and 33 fatal crashes.
Hit and Run Car Accident Statistics
Unfortunately, hit-and-runs are all too common in the sunshine state. In Okaloosa County, 655 hit and run crashes injured 118 people in 2020. That means that over 20% of all car accidents that occurred in Okaloosa County were hit-and-run accidents.
Statistics on Drunk and Drugged Driving in Fort Walton Beach
Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs are a big problem in Fort Walton Beach and across the state of Florida.
In 2020, FLHSMV reported the following statistics on drunk and drugged driving in Okaloosa County:
- 77 car accidents involved alcohol
- 3 people were killed in drunk driving accidents
- 27 people were injured in drunk driving accidents
Five additional drug-confirmed crashes caused at least four injuries and two fatalities in 2020.
Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections in Fort Walton Beach
Accidents can happen anywhere. However, it’s helpful to know where most accidents tend to occur. In Fort Walton Beach, some of the most dangerous roads and intersections are:
- Highway 98
- Highway 85
- The intersection of Brooks Bridge and Highway 98
- Where Mary Esther Cut Off meets Highway 98
- Interstate 10
Recent events have attracted even more residents and tourists to the Fort Walton Beach area. Increased traffic only increases the risk of accidents on our roadways.
What is My Fort Walton Beach Car Accident Case Worth?
Every car accident case is slightly different. Our lawyers will examine the unique facts of your case to give you a better sense of how much your personal injury claim is worth.
Factors that are often relevant include:
- The severity of your injuries
- Your out-of-pocket costs
- The cost of your medical treatment
- Whether you’ll make a full recovery
- Whether you can work while you recover
- Whether the injury limits your abilities to work or perform daily tasks
- Whether you contributed to the accident
The value of your case can also be impacted by limits on available insurance coverage.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Car Accident Victims?
Car accident victims can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket costs
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Loss of consortium
In other words, you have the right to be made “whole” again after an accident, considering both your financial losses and non-financial damages.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Car Accident in Florida?
Florida is a modified comparative fault state. Victims only lose their right to compensation if they’re mostly to blame. If you are only partly at fault, your compensation can be reduced to account for your share of fault.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Car Accident Injuries
Thousands of car crashes result in injury across Fort Walton Beach every year. While some of those injuries were mild, many were severe and required the victim to seek medical attention.
At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we often represent car accident victims who have sustained:
- Whiplash injuries
- Airbag injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Nerve damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Do you have questions about your legal rights after an accident? Call for a free case evaluation today.
What Causes Most Car Accidents in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
48,537 distracted driving accidents were reported across the state of Florida in 2020. That means distracted driving caused about 14% of all car crashes statewide.
While distracted driving is a serious issue, there are many factors that can cause a car crash. Some of the most common causes of car accidents in Fort Walton Beach include:
- Excessive speeds
- Road rage and aggressive driving behaviors
- Unfamiliarity with the roads
- Dangerous turns
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Unsafe passing
- Illegal lane changes
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Defective vehicles
- Defective safety equipment
- Failure to properly maintain vehicles
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Road hazards
Often, multiple factors can play a role in the same traffic accident. If you or a loved one were injured, don’t hesitate to reach out to our law firm for legal advice today.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident in Florida?
Most car accidents happen because someone was careless, meaning there was negligence. To win compensation for your injuries, you’ll have to prove each of the four following elements:
- The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care
- Breach of duty
- The breach caused your accident
- You suffered damages
Generally, you’ll have to show that the at-fault party’s actions directly caused your injuries.
Many different types of evidence can be important, including:
- Video surveillance footage
- Police reports
- Toxicology reports
- Cell phone records
- Photos of the accident scene
- Eyewitness statements
- Medical records
- Physical evidence from the crash scene
Our lawyers will dig deep to find the evidence you need to support your claim. Just give us a quick call today to learn more.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Florida?
In Florida, the statute of limitations gives car accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. After the two-year anniversary of the accident passes, you lose your right to seek damages. There are some exceptions to the deadline.
Questions About Fort Walton Beach Car Accident Statistics? Call For a Free Consultation Today
Fort Walton Beach car accident statistics paint a scary picture. If you or a family member were injured in an accident, call Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to speak with an experienced Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer today.
Other types of car accidents that we cover are:
