Naples, FL I-75 Accident Guide

The Interstate 75 Naples, FL car accident lawyers have witnessed firsthand the havoc that a car crash can have on an injured victim and their family. Our attorneys have helped hundreds of people injured in car accidents seek the justice and financial compensation they need to move on with their lives.

Hundreds of thousands of motor vehicle accidents take place throughout the state of Florida every year. These accidents are the source of many avoidable injuries and deaths. 

Our Florida car accident attorneys have years of experience in handling Florida car accident cases. If you were injured in a Florida car accident, we can explain the laws that apply to your potential claim. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation today. 

Below is an overview of the most recent motor vehicle accident statistics available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, along with additional sources. 

Total Motor Vehicle Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries 

The crash dashboard on the FLHSMV website offers up-to-date data on motor vehicle accidents across the state. The FLHSMV reported that the overall annual Florida car accident total rose sharply in 2021 after two years of steady decline, but early 2022 data sets indicate that the state should be witnessing another statistically significant drop in collisions. The overall figures for motor vehicle accidents in Florida over the past five years are: 

• Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2018: 403,626
• Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2019: 401,867
• Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2020: 341,399
• Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2021: 401,170
• Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents through July 2022: 194,632

In general, these figures indicate a likely downward trend, as the considerable decrease in motor vehicle accidents in 2020 can almost certainly be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even taking into account special considerations such as this, there are still more than 1,000 automobile collisions every day in Florida, making it one of the most perilous states in the country for drivers and passengers.    

Current research shows that 40{1bdd743422f4df9d0bcbf309bbad17ad95135e97075b12f8b6fa54595885a15a} of all vehicle accidents in Florida result in some degree of injury. Of the 194,632 accidents that took place in Florida by July 2022, over 80,000 have resulted in injuries, with a total of 123,450 victims. According to the FLHSMV, the percentages of total accident-related injuries and injury-involved accidents have remained fairly consistent during the last five years.

More importantly, the number of fatal car crashes has been increasing. For instance, although there were 2,917 deadly collisions that resulted in 3,135 deaths within the state in 2018, there were 3,459 deadly accidents that resulted in 3,763 fatalities in Florida in 2021. Even though the state is on pace to see a small drop in deaths from 2021, if current trends continue, more than 3,000 more fatal vehicle accidents will take place in Florida by the end of the year.  

Our I-75 car accident attorneys understand that losing someone you love in an avoidable accident is one of the most agonizing experiences anyone can endure. If you were injured or lost a member of your family in a Naples, FL Interstate 75 car accident, our lawyers can help you pursue the damages you are entitled to. 

Mid-Year Florida Motor Vehicle Crash Data 2022

Along with the statistics for total motor vehicle accidents, deaths, and injuries, the FLHSMV has published numerous other data sets as well. Some additional mid-2022 motor vehicle accident statistics as reported by the FLHSMV include:

Hit-and-Run Motor Vehicle Accidents

By July 2022, there had been almost 53,000 hit-and-run accidents statewide. These accidents have caused almost 11,500 injuries and 120 fatalities. Every year, Florida ranks among the states with the largest percentages of hit-and-run accidents.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

There were over 8,000 car crashes that involved cyclists and pedestrians statewide in the first half of 2022. Sadly, more than 450 of these vehicle-related collisions proved fatal. Every year, Florida invariably ranks among the worst states for bicycle and pedestrian accidents.  

Most Dangerous Month on Florida Roadways

In the first half of 2022, March was the most dangerous month to drive in Florida with a total of 36,413 auto accidents, above the next-highest monthly total which was 32,861 accidents in April. 

Most Vehicular Deaths Per 100 Million Miles Driven

When you take into account the sharp contrasts in the populations of each individual state, one of the most precise ways to compare the potential likelihood of a fatal car accident from one state to the next is to compare the number of fatalities for every 100 million miles driven. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety states that Florida has a fatality rate of 1.60 deaths for every 100 million miles driven, placing it behind only a handful of other states when it comes to how often people are killed in car accidents. 

High Number of Drunk Driving Deaths

One of the reasons why Florida’s fatal vehicle accident rate is so high is that Florida has an exceptionally high number of drunk driving fatalities. In 2019, as published by Responsibility.org, there were more than 800 fatal alcohol-related car accidents in Florida. In that same year, a total of 10,142 fatal alcohol-related car accidents took place nationwide. Although Florida is just one state, four out of every 50 alcohol-related accidents within the United States happen in Florida. 

Your Florida Car Accident Report

If you were seriously injured in a Florida car accident, you should track down a copy of your police accident report for your claim. You can opt to request your police report by mail, in person, or online. Requesting an accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol traffic is a relatively straightforward process. 

How Do I Look Up My Naples, FL I-75 Crash Report Online?

In order to request your police car accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol, you can visit the Florida Crash Portal. If you have your report number, enter it. 

Each copy of your police report will cost $10, along with a $2 convenience fee per transaction. You can purchase your crash report with any major credit card like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.   

After you request your FHP crash report through the online portal, you will receive an email containing a link to a downloadable zip file with PDF files inside. Bear in mind, you are only given 48 hours from the time of your request to download your report.  

Following an accident, the Florida Highway Patrol and other police agencies are allotted ten days to submit their official reports, so if your accident occurred fewer than 10 days ago, you will need to wait. If you are unable to successfully complete your request for an accident that happened more than 10 days ago, it is most likely due to system issues, which FLHSMV notes can be prevalent with some state agencies. 

Should this be the case, FLHSMV suggests reaching out to the investigating police department directly in order to obtain a copy. If they are unable to honor your online request, you will have to send it by mail instead.

Requesting Your Naples, FL Crash Report by Mail

If you wish to obtain a copy of your Florida Highway Patrol crash report through the mail, you will have to mail your request, as well as $10 for each desired copy to:

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Crash Records

2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 28

Tallahassee, FL 32399

If you fail to include the appropriate payment for the total number of reports, your request will not be processed. Accepted forms of payment include money orders and personal checks made out to FLHSMV. Following that, you should receive your police accident report in the mail in no more than six weeks. 

Requesting Your Naples, FL Crash Report in Person

If picking up your police car accident report in person is the best option for you, you will need to locate the Florida Highway Patrol station closest to where your accident took place. FHP Stations can be located here.

Accident reports are available for in-person collection from Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 5:30 PM. Make sure you have a valid form of photo ID on you, such as your driver’s license.

Florida Highway Patrol Accident Reports and Public Disclosure Exemptions

Even though crash reports are available to order 10 days after the accident, they are not subject to public disclosure for 60 days. Until then, only those directly involved in the incident and other specified persons are entitled to request the report pursuant to Florida law. 

Florida Highway Patrol vehicle crash records ordered during this 60-day window either by mail or in person must have a Sworn Statement to Obtain a Crash Report.

Why Do I Need a Copy of My Florida Highway Patrol Crash Report?

If a Florida Highway Patrol officer responds to the crash, they will draft an official report containing important details about the crash and their account of what happened and who was at fault.  

The information contained within the report will include:

• The name of the other driver(s) involved and their respective insurance information
• The location, date, and time of the accident 
• The traffic and weather conditions at the time of the incident
• Any damage to vehicles or other personal property 
• Any injuries or fatalities
• Any citations that were issued at the scene
• Any other information the officer deems necessary

It is essential that you request a copy of your police accident report as early as possible during the claims process. While a police report is not the final say on the matter,  it will help your Interstate 75 Florida personal injury attorney to form a complete picture of what happened and why. It could also help you prove liability and support your injury claim.

If you need help getting a copy of your report, contact our team of I-75 accident lawyers for assistance.

Our Naples, FL I-75 Car Accident Lawyers Can Help 

Our Naples, FL car accident lawyers have been defending the rights of injured victims for years. If a negligent or reckless driver was responsible for your accident and injuries, or if you lost someone you love in a fatal crash, our lawyers can help make sure that your best interests are looked after and your right to compensation is protected. Contact us online to schedule your free case review today.