Latest Blogs

The  Crash Dashboard from the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department (FLHSMV) provides up-to-date data on statewide accidents. From 2018, and preliminarily through January 7, 2023, here are the statistics:

• As of 01-07-23: 1,704
• 2022: 386,180
• 2021: 401,170
• 2020: 341,399
• 2019: 401,867
• 2018: 403,626

Accidents in Southwest Florida have increased from 2021 to 2022. Reviewing Southwest Florida accidents by county in 2022 and 2021, the statistics are:

• Charlotte County:
  • 2022 – 2,912 crashes resulting in 41 fatalities and 1,873 injuries
  • 2021 – 2,719 crashes resulting in 30 fatalities and 1,664 injuries
• Collier County:
  • 2022 – 6,251 crashes resulting in 43 fatalities and 3,712 injuries
  • 2021 – 5,926 crashes resulting in 41 fatalities and 3,465 injuries
• Lee County:
  • 2022 – 15,238 crashes resulting in 131 fatalities and 8,828 injuries
  • 2021 – 14,226 crashes resulting in 115 fatalities and 8,445 injuries 

Who is at fault?

It is often difficult to determine who is at fault in Florida accidents. Accidents are stressful, happen quickly, and are often chaotic. Even if accidents seem to be straightforward, they can present complex, multi-faceted issues of negligence. This is why an accident reconstruction may be needed.

Many types of evidence may be needed to build a strong case for clients. These include, but are not limited to:

• Eyewitness testimonies
• Traffic surveillance or other camera footage
• Cell phone photos and video
• Phone records
• Medical records
• Employment records
• Maintenance records
• Vehicle “black box” data

Accident reconstruction experts conduct in-depth collision analysis to identify any contributing factors in a vehicle accident. This includes such things as the role of the drivers, the vehicles, the condition of the roadway, lighting, and the environment. When there is death and/or personal injury in an accident and there is limited, or missing evidence, Florida accident reconstructions are important.

The accident reconstruction process uses scientific methodology to determine the circumstances, mechanics, and contributing factors involved in a collision. Experts need a working knowledge of many disciplines including, but not limited to, physics, vehicle dynamics, mathematics, photogrammetry, and computer applications.

Specifically, accident reconstruction experts use their investigation to recreate a picture of what happened during the accident. In addition to probably visiting the scene of accidents to review tire tracks, etc., some of the considerations they take are:

• Vehicle speed, movement, and impact angle before, during, and after a crash
• Road conditions, construction, and hindrances
• Driver behaviors
• Mechanical problems of any of the vehicles
• Human error
• Weather conditions 

The specific evidence investigated and analyzed will allow the expert to determine fault. The reconstruction expert will typically present his/her findings and conclusions in a written report and may even testify at a trial.

Randall Spivey, Florida personal injury attorney at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. discusses how accident reconstructions may assist injured victims in supporting their personal injury cases at free consultations. He has years of experience in assisting clients with their cases and represents them throughout the process. He and his legal team have recovered well over $219 million for their clients. They represent people involved in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of their clients have unique personal injury cases, and the firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation.

“Should you or a loved one be injured in an accident, please contact us at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com,” said Florida Car Accident Lawyer Randall Spivey.