Martin County by the Numbers – Important Traffic Accident Facts

Some say, “numbers don’t lie.” We will follow that principle in this article because it is important to understand the traffic picture in your area. While there is, of course, a lag when it comes to statistics, the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recently published its 2018 Traffic Crash Facts.  

In looking at trends in the numbers, one can conclude that it is definitely a mixed bag. That is particularly true in Martin County (where our firm Crary Buchanan is located). There is some good news for car drivers and some not-so-good news for cyclists and pedestrians.  

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the Martin County statistics, as compared to the much larger Miami-Dade County. Then we will discuss what you should do if you are in a traffic accident.    

If, after reading this blog, you have additional questions about your own situation, then we welcome you to contact the personal injury lawyers in Stuart , FL – Crary Buchanan. At Crary Buchanan, we are proud of our standard of excellence, which has allowed us to thrive as one of the oldest law firms on Florida’s Treasure Coast . 

 Our personal injury attorneys in Stuart are passionate about giving you the highest quality representation. Call us today at 772-287-2600 , or schedule a free estate planning consult online with our online contact form. 

What is so helpful about the Florida Highway Safety report is that it provides the data from several perspectives.  Thus, not only do we get the basic numbers on traffic matters in the various counties and the State, but we can also learn a lot about traffic accidents as they relate to:

1. Drug and alcohol use
2. Teen drivers vs. older drivers, and
3. Environmental factors at the time of an accident.

With regard to the basic stats, over the three-year span of 2016 to 2018 in the entire State of Florida, total car crashes are slightly up (from 395,785 in 2016, to 403,626 in 2018), but the number of fatal crashes has dipped down slightly.  

As for the involvement of alcohol in traffic accidents, there is largely some good news. With the exception of fatal crashes, the number of crashes, fatalities, injuries, and injury crashes are all slightly down during the 2016 to 2018 time period.

As for trends with regard to environmental factors – like the day and time when accidents occur, the numbers show that the fewest accidents happen on Sundays, and the most on Fridays, as you might expect. Also, the times during the work week when most accidents occur is during morning and evening rush hour. 

As noted above, Martin County has relatively fewer accidents compared to other counties. In addition, the trends are favorable for pedestrians but not as good for motorcyclists and bicyclists. Overall, between 2016 and 2018, motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle crashes have gone down considerably (68%, 26%, and 60% respectively). Yet, motorcycle and bicycle fatalities have increased over that period of time in Martin County. Those percentages are roughly mirrored in Miami-Dade County, yet the numbers in Miami-Dade are, of course, much higher.

Simply put, the numbers in the Florida Highway Safety report show some positive trends towards slightly safer roads in Martin County and Florida overall. Yet, the numbers also put into stark relief just how dangerous a traffic accident can be. Also, even if the trends are moving downward, that does not help you if you are one of the people who gets into a serious accident.

Accordingly, if you are involved in any kind of serious traffic accident, make sure that you (i) call the police to the scene, (ii) ensure that any injured party gets medical attention, and (iii) retain a qualified personal injury lawyer in Stuart to help you.  

Vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of  personal injury  and   wrongful death in the nation. Many factors can contribute to a traffic accident, but as noted the primary reason is negligence. Drivers are negligent in a variety of ways. A driver who falls asleep may be considered negligent. When a careless driver causes an accident, you can pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

It doesn’t matter what type of injury you sustained. You have the right to seek compensation if another driver caused you injury – even if you were partially responsible for the accident.  Automobile and truck accident injuries can lead to a variety of expenses, and a personal injury claim can compensate you for these costs.  Yet, you need the right legal advocate on your side to get full and fair compensation for your damages. If you or someone you love suffered and injury, speak with a Stuart, Martin County personal injury attorney from Crary Buchanan. We want to help you recover the money you need.

At Crary Buchanan, we are committed to providing clients with exceptional service in every aspect of personal injury law. You can depend upon our 85 years of experience in the Florida legal industry. 

Our legal team is passionate about maintaining the high standards of professionalism and legal service that were established and practiced by founding attorneys Evans Crary Sr. and Evans Crary Jr .  Evans Crary Sr. began his law practice in Stuart in 1927 at a time when Martin County was only two years old.  He became a municipal judge at the age of 25 and served as County Attorney for 23 years. 

During his time as County Attorney, he was elected to represent Martin County in the Florida Legislature. In 1945 he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives. He served in the House for nine years and even served as Speaker of the House before he went on to become a member of the Florida Senate. Today, the Crary Buchanan law firm continues to practice the example of integrity, professionalism, energy, and devotion that was clearly illustrated in the lives of both Evans Crary Sr. and Evans Crary Jr.

Our clients are more than case numbers; they are people. We recognize that you are an individual with unique needs and expectations. Our team is here to meet your need and exceed your expectations. When you work with us, you can have confidence that a caring legal advocate is on your side.

 If you have more questions or want dedicated personal injury lawyers in Stuart to help you, call 772-287-2600 or schedule a free consult online with our online contact form. You can always depend on Crary Buchanan for community, experience, and trust. Call today.

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