Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes by Make in Florida

Fatal car accidents are no unique occurrence in Florida, as distracted driving and an increase in drivers both contribute to increase levels of risk on the road.

A recent seven-car accident in Lake County highlights the dangers of any car accident, as two people passed away due to the events of the accident.

While the details of the accident are minimal, the initial collision occurred when a Dodge pickup crashed into a Hyundai that was stopped and waiting for traffic to clear.

This accident could have been prevented with focused driving and removed distractions.

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Types of Fatal Accidents

When a fatal crash occurs, there are two ways that this can be classified, which depends on the manner the injured party passes away.

There are sudden death fatalities, which occur when an individual or individuals die instantly due to the crash. This type of fatality is more likely to occur when excessive speed or a large vehicle is involved in the crash.

There are also eventual death fatalities, which occur when an individual or individuals pass away at a later time due to their injuries or due to complications of the accident. This type of fatality can occur for any number of reasons — what may cause a fatality for one individual may not for another.

Distracted Driving in Florida

 

Driving distracted is a high-risk activity, and 1 out of 10 fatal car accidents is caused by distractions while driving; every time you operate your vehicle while distracted, you are at an increased risk of injury or death.

– National Statistics for Distracted Driving

The statistics nationally are quite alarming, as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 3,477 fatalities occurred due to distracted driving in 2015, which is almost ten people per day that are lost because of distracting behaviors.

– Types of Distractions

Many times, individuals think of distractions as anything that splits your focus from the road. However, there are visual distractions, manual distractions, and even cognitive distractions that impair your driving abilities.

Visual distractions are common, as this includes adjusting the radio, looking at the passenger seat, or even checking your phone to see who’s calling or texting you. These can keep you from looking ahead and paying attention to the road.

Manual distractions can occur with or without visual distractions.

Manual distractions can include taking your phone out to check who called or texted you, grabbing your morning coffee, or even reaching back to help a child reach a fallen object.

Texting someone on your phone is a combination of visual, manual, and even cognitive distraction.

Cognitive distractions occur when you engage in any activity that pulls focus or something happens that keeps your mind from being focused.

This kind of distraction can be something at the moment, such as a loud sound from the back seat, or it can be due to illness, stress, or even talking on the phone.

Distracted driving is a big issue in Florida, especially with the constant number of drivers commuting into the state from other areas; individuals that are unfamiliar with the area they’re driving are more likely to get distracted trying to locate their destination.

In 2015, Florida experienced more than 45,000 crashes caused by distracted driving, with over 200 fatalities due to it.

Top 10 Vehicles Involved in Fatal Crashes in Florida

(Click here for interactive chart)

Statistics regarding fatal crashes and the vehicles involved can be difficult to narrow down, but the ten vehicle makes listed below are involved in over 88 percent of the fatal crashes on the road.

#10 – KIA

Established: June 9, 1944
Vehicles Involved: 79

Kia is the second largest motor vehicle manufacturer from South Korea and has been in operation for over 70 years.

This company began as Kyungsung Precision Industry, which manufactured steel tubes, bicycle parts, and even consumer bicycles. The name was changed in 1952, which lead to expansion into motor vehicles.

#9 – Chrysler

Established: June 6, 1925
Vehicles Involved: 83

Chrysler is a subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which is an Italian-controlled manufacturer. The American subsidiary is based in Michigan and has been in operation for over 90 years under one name or another.

#8 – Suzuki

Established: October 1909
Vehicles Involved: 117

Suzkui is listed as one of the ten biggest automotive manufacturers based on their production, and they are headquartered in Japan. Suzuki is known for their high-quality motorcycles, which allows them to break into other markets that some automakers cannot.

#7 – Hyundai

Established: December 29, 1967
Vehicles Involved: 125

Hyundai is the largest motor vehicle manufacturer based out of South Korea, leading to Hyundai’s expansion into other opportunities.

Hyundai Motor Group, which was at one point associated with Hyundai as a larger company, is now it’s own company; this began on September 16, 2000.

#6 – Datsun/Nissan

Established: December 26, 1933
Vehicles Involved: 231

Datsun is a brand of vehicle that is owned by Nissan, having discontinued in 1986 and then re-launching in 2013. Nissan is another manufacturer with headquarters in Japan and sells under the Nissan, Datsun, and Infiniti names.

#5 – Dodge

Established: The early 1900s
Vehicles Involved: 243

Dodge is a popular brand of vehicle purchased in the United States that was founded in the early 1900s and is currently a part of Fiat Chrysler Automotive. Dodge was an independent company for many years before it was purchased by Chrysler in 1928.

#4 – Honda

Established: September 24, 1948
Vehicles Involved: 369

Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer for over 50 years and has recently become the second largest automaker in Japan. Honda is also the manufacturer of the popular Acura luxury brand, which they released in 1986.

#3 – Toyota

Established: August 28, 1937
Vehicles Involved: 379

Toyota has been continuing to grow in the production of automobiles, currently ranking in second place and producing more than 10 million automobiles each year. The Japan-based manufacturer is also the leader in sales for hybrid electric vehicles, leading with their popular Prius family.

#2 – Chevrolet

Established: November 3, 1911
Vehicles Involved: 413

Commonly referred to as a “Chevy,” these vehicles are manufactured by the General Motors Company, which is based out of Michigan.

This company was started over 100 years ago and quickly became a top seller, competing with the popular Model T and surpassing Ford in sales in the late 1920s. Chevrolet’s parent company, General Motors, is the largest automaker based in the United States.

#1 – Ford

Established: June 16, 1903
Vehicles Involved: 542

The Ford Motor Company has been in operation for over 100 years, and is headquartered in Michigan; this is a common factor for American automakers.

Ford also sells luxury vehicles under their Lincoln brand and is the second largest automaker based out of the United States with General Motors surpassing them, and is the fifth largest in the international market.

Tips to Avoid Fatal Car Accidents in Florida

Keeping yourself focused on the road should be your primary concern when you’re driving since you’re responsible for your safety, your passenger’s safety, and the safety of anyone else on the road.

You can help avoid causing fatal car accidents or being involved in fatal car accidents by:

• Keeping the radio turned down while driving
• Reviewing navigation directions before getting into congested areas
• Setting your phone to hands-free mode
• Utilizing safe phone zones sponsored through the state
• Avoid operating your car if you’re impaired due to drugs, alcohol, or any other impairment
• Wear any prescribed eyeglasses or contact lenses when operating your car
• Do not operate your vehicle when you’ve started a new medication
• Operate your vehicle within the posted speed limit
• Secure your safety belt before operating your car
• Reduce your speed and drive defensively in poor weather conditions
• Utilize your hazard lights when you pull off to the side of the road

To reduce the amount of texting while driving, Florida operates safe spaces that allow drivers to pull off and reply to important messages or make important phone calls; these may be rest areas or service plazas that are well lit and allow you to safely utilize your mobile device.

Comparison Shop for the Right Coverage

Make sure to do your research about the car you own or the car you’re looking to buy since many research groups exist that analyze the safety of different vehicles. If you are looking at a car often involved in car accidents, you may want to consider looking at a safer alternative.

As mentioned earlier, safe driving habits and reducing your distractions on the road can often help reduce your risk for an accident; reducing your risk can also reduce the chance you cause an accident that injures someone else.

It’s difficult to be certain that other drivers have insurance in place, so never put yourself at risk by driving recklessly and assuming other drivers have coverage.

While you’re shopping for a car or researching your current car, make sure to look at your insurance policy and make some changes, if necessary. Purchasing insurance coverage is another way to reduce your risk once an accident occurs because this can help you recover from a loss when it occurs.

Additionally, a well-rounded insurance policy helps other drivers recover for any loss you’re responsible for introducing.

Make sure to check your policy every six months, and if you’re not happy with your current premium rates or coverage options, look at coverage quotes from other providers.

Comparing quotes from three or four different companies allows you to get an idea of what you should expect to pay for the coverage you need.

Driving Safely in Florida

Florida experiences more distracted driving incidents than almost any other state every year, which contributes to increased insurance costs and the potential for more fatalities each day.

It’s important to remove distractions from your car before you start driving, and make sure to pay attention to others drivers sharing the road with you.

While you may not be able to make other drivers operate their vehicle safely, you can act defensively and proactively remove yourself from a dangerous situation. Additionally, some cars are safer and less prone to be involved in an accident.

If you own a car that is considered a high-risk vehicle, you may want to consider switching to a safer vehicle.

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