Florida’s population has grown substantially over the past few years. But did you ever consider how these new Floridians might affect your risk of getting into an accident? What about the tourists who come here to visit our state’s many attractions?
This article explains the surprising ways that an influx of new drivers can affect the safety of your daily commute. It also provides tips for avoiding accidents. Finally, it discusses what to do after an accident and how a Crestview personal injury lawyer can help.
Welcome to the Sunshine State: New Arrivals to Florida
Most new Florida drivers can be grouped into three categories: permanent transplants, seasonal transplants, and tourists.
Permanent Transplants
According to U.S. Census data, Florida ranks second as a destination for Americans moving to a new state. The Census data show that nearly two million people moved to our state between 2020 and 2024.
Seasonal Transplants
For years, Florida has attracted those who want to escape the North during the winter months. These seasonal transplants, sometimes called “snowbirds,” usually arrive in late fall or early winter and remain until spring. Roughly one million people spend their winters in Florida.
Tourists
According to Business Insider, Florida is America’s second most popular tourist destination. In 2024, over 140 million people visited the state, setting a new record. From March to May, over 30 million college students arrive in Florida for Spring Break. Just as the college students leave, families from all over come to Florida for their summer vacations.
How Does the Influx of People Affect Florida Traffic and Accidents?
While tourists and transplants bring value to our state, they also increase the risk of traffic accidents. It has nothing to do with the skill of the new drivers. Instead, it’s a numbers game. More cars on the road mean more opportunities for those cars to run into one another. Think of it like this: If your car is the only one on the road, the chances of you crashing into another vehicle are slim. But as each new car enters the road, the possibility of a collision increases.
Also, those who have recently moved to the state or are just visiting may not be familiar with Florida’s roads. Lack of familiarity with the local streets increases the risk of an accident.
Increasing the number of drivers also increases the potential for driver frustration. It doesn’t take much for an annoyed driver to start taking their anger out on others or driving recklessly.
Sadly, these population shifts do seem to have led to more accidents. In 2024, Florida ranked third nationally for car accidents.
How to Avoid Accidents While Driving in Florida
The increase in drivers and accidents is cause for concern. However, it’s still possible to drive safely. Here are a few tips:
- Drive defensively. Even if you’re following all of the rules, there’s no guarantee that other drivers will. Assume that they won’t. Anticipate their mistakes and plan how you’ll react if the worst happens.
- Don’t tailgate. When roads are crowded, some drivers react by closely following other cars. But this dangerous tactic reduces your reaction time. Instead, always leave a safe distance between your car and the next vehicle.
- Don’t rely too much on technology. Today’s cars have amazing tech, but it’s not perfect. For example, it’s still best to check your blind spots with your own two eyes instead of relying solely on your cameras.
- Use extra caution in popular areas. Certain areas (e.g., parks, beaches, tourist attractions) will have high levels of traffic. Expect crowds and lots of driving mistakes. Slow down, increase your following distance, and drive defensively. Double-check for pedestrians and cyclists before moving through an intersection.
What To Do If You Get Into an Accident
If you get into an accident, don’t panic. Following these steps will help:
- Don’t leave the scene. Florida law makes it illegal to leave the scene of an accident that causes property damage, injury, or death. So stay put until help arrives.
- Call 911. Under Florida law, you must report any accident that causes injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage to the local police.
- Collect contact and insurance information. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, driver’s license info, and insurance information. If there are any witnesses, get their contact information as well.
- Watch your words. You probably know that you shouldn’t admit to causing the accident. But insurance companies will take seemingly innocent comments like “I’m so sorry,” or “You came out of nowhere!” to argue that you were at fault.
- Take pictures. Take as many pictures as you can. Capture the position of the vehicles and any damage to them. Take pictures of the road to capture any tire marks, debris, or potholes. Note the condition of any signs, especially if there are obstructions. Don’t forget to take pictures of the sky. These photos will show the lighting and weather conditions at the time of the accident.
- Go to the doctor immediately. See a doctor as soon as possible. You may feel “fine,” but many injuries take time to reach their final form. The Personal Injury Protection (PIP) portion of your auto policy should pay for part of any treatment.
- Tell your insurer about the accident ASAP. Most insurance companies give policyholders 24 hours to report an accident. Failure to do so could lead to the denial of your claim.
- Stay off social media. You may want to tell your friends and family about your accident, but resist the temptation. If your social version of the accident differs even slightly from other accounts, it will be used to attack you.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help After an Accident
Driving on Florida’s crowded roads can be dangerous. If you are hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have rights. A Fort Walton car accident lawyer can help you protect those rights. An experienced lawyer can
- Assign an accurate value to your case,
- Talk to insurance companies on your behalf,
- Investigate your accident,
- Hire expert witnesses,
- Negotiate a fair settlement, and
- Prepare for trial, if necessary.
If you’ve been in an accident and need legal advice, call Powell, Powell & Powell. Our family-owned firm has one mission: to see that justice is done. To learn more about how we can achieve justice in your case, call us at 850-682-2757 or use our online form to schedule a consultation.