Port St. Lucie, Florida, is home to more than 217,000 people. As one of the most popular vacation spots in Southeastern Florida, its roads and highways tend to be jam-packed as the population explodes.
With so many vehicles traveling in and through Port St. Lucie, motor vehicle accidents are a common occurrence.
The car accident attorneys at Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers have broken down Port St. Lucie car accident statistics so that you can get a better sense of how often accidents happen, how dangerous they are, who’s involved, and where they happen.
Here’s what you need to know.
How Many Car Accidents Are There in Port St. Lucie, FL?
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a total of 5,500 traffic accidents were reported in St. Lucie County in 2021.
That breaks down to 15 car accidents every single day.
In 2022, there were 5,474 crashes. In the first month of 2023, there have already been an estimated 138 collisions in St. Lucie County.
Since Port St. Lucie drives local tourism and accounts for more than half of the total population of St. Lucie County, it’s probable that many or most of the area’s accidents occur within the city’s limits.
Are Port St. Lucie Car Accidents on the Rise?
Crash data reveals that motor vehicle accidents have increased in St. Lucie County in recent years.
- 2018: 5,119 car accidents
- 2019: 4,809 car accidents
- 2022: 4,713 car accidents
- 2021: 5,500 car accidents
- 2022: 5,474 car accidents
- 2023 (as of 1/21/23): 138 car accidents
Between 2018 and 2021, traffic accidents in Port St. Lucie and surrounding cities increased by about 7.5 percent. Since 2019, crashes have increased by about 14 percent.
Are Car Accidents in Port St. Lucie, Florida Dangerous?
Statistically speaking, about 40 percent of all car accidents in the Port St. Lucie, FL, area caused an injury or death.
In 2022, 2,136 crashes caused at least one injury. 3,113 total injuries were reported. Another 34 traffic accidents were fatal, resulting in no fewer than 38 deaths.
It’s not just occupants of passenger vehicles that can get hurt in traffic accidents in Port St. Lucie. Anyone else on the road can suffer injuries or die in a wreck, too.
So who tends to be involved in Port St. Lucie’s car accidents?
Crash data for 2022 reveals that there were:
- 129 motorcycle accidents (resulting in 2 deaths)
- 110 bicycle accidents (resulting in 3 deaths), and
- 111 pedestrian accidents (resulting in 9 deaths).
Collectively, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists account for just 6.5 percent of all total collisions. However, they account for 44 percent of all crash-related fatalities in St. Lucie County.
Are Hit-and-Run Accidents Common in Port St. Lucie?
Hit-and-run car accidents happen more often than they should. In 2022, about one out of every four traffic accidents was classified as a hit and run. That year, there were 1,368 hit-and-run crashes, resulting in 257 injuries and at least 5 deaths.
What Roads and Highways in St. Lucie County Are the Most Dangerous?
Car accidents can happen anywhere in Port St. Lucie and surrounding towns, but some stretches of roadways tend to see more collisions than others.
Some of the most dangerous roads and intersections in St. Lucie County include:
- Okeechobee Road and Midway Road
- US-1 and Prima Vista Boulevard
- US-1 and W Midway Road
- Port St. Lucie Boulevard
Of course, I-95 tends to be a hot spot for collisions in Port St. Lucie, with many accidents unfolding on the interstate and its on and off-ramps.
While you might not be able to avoid these roads while you’re traveling through Port St. Lucie, you can exercise a little bit of extra caution. Being extra alert and driving defensively could help you prevent a life-changing crash.
What Should I Do If I’m Involved in a Car Accident in Port St. Lucie, Florida?
Did you know that the decisions you make immediately after your car accident can have a huge impact on your ability to recover compensation? It’s true. So here are the steps you should take (and some you should avoid) in the aftermath of a wreck.
Remain at or Close to the Scene
In Florida, parties involved in motor vehicle accidents are legally required to remain at the scene. You have to exchange registration and insurance information with anyone else involved, see if emergency medical treatment is necessary, and wait until you get the “all clear” to leave from a police officer. If you leave before taking these steps, you can face criminal charges for a hit-and-run.
Call the Police Department
Dial 911 if it’s an emergency, or call the local precinct in Port St. Lucie to report your accident. A dispatcher will send officers and send out emergency medical technicians, if necessary, too. When the officer arrives on the scene, they’ll conduct a short investigation and document the details of the wreck into an accident report. Getting a copy of this police report will be critical down the line as you work to recover compensation from an insurance company or at-fault party.
Document the Scene
Evidence can get lost or destroyed over time. Witness memories can fade and change. Since you’re at the scene, take a few minutes to take pictures of the scene, your injuries, and damage to property. Record a video of the scene if you can, too. Do your best to get the names of people who might have information.
The more you can do right now, the more information your attorney will have to work with as you pursue damages in a claim or lawsuit.
Get Medical Treatment
You’ll need to prove that you got hurt because of the car accident. One of the best ways to establish a causal link is by making sure that your injuries are formally documented shortly after a wreck. You can do that by getting to the nearest hospital or seeing your doctor right away. This won’t just help to provide a boost for your personal injury case but can also help to ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated in a timely manner.
Resist the Urge To Apologize
You might be tempted to say you’re sorry to accept the blame for the crash, but don’t. Florida is a pure comparative negligence state, which means that your damages will be adjusted if you share responsibility. If you’re blamed entirely, you lose the right to recover compensation in a third-party action.
The things you say after a collision can be twisted and taken out of context, making you out to be the bad guy when, in fact, it can take time to really understand what causes a crash. Your best bet is to save any explanations or conversations for after you’ve consulted with a personal injury lawyer near you in Port St. Lucie, FL.
Resist the Urge To Settle Early
An insurance company – even your own – isn’t on your side after a car accident. It’s going to search for any reason to deny a claim or limit a payout. If a company makes a quick settlement offer, it could indicate that they think you’ve got a strong case on your hand. They’re probably hoping that you accept the cash before you speak with a lawyer.
Here’s the problem: once you accept a settlement offer, you waive your right to future compensation. If you accept an offer for $30,000 and then discover that your case is worth three times that amount, you’ll be out of luck.
Hire an Experienced Port St. Lucie Car Accident Lawyer
So how can you make sure that you get the best possible result in your car accident case? By hiring a respected attorney to represent you throughout the claims process and to file a lawsuit on your behalf if necessary.
How Can Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Help if I’ve Been Hurt in a Car Accident in Port St. Lucie, Florida?
According to Port St. Lucie car accident statistics, crashes happen all too often in this seaside town. If you’re in a crash, you don’t necessarily have to hire a Port St. Lucie car accident lawyer. However, it is the best way to ensure that you get the best result in your car accident case.
When you choose us to represent you after your crash, we’ll investigate the wreck, consult with experts, defend against victim-blaming tactics, and work to get you top dollar for your injuries and suffering. We’re ready to invest everything we have into getting you a much-needed win.
Contact Our Port St. Lucie Car Accident Law Firm for Help Today
At Kibbey Wagner Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we have over 27 years of combined experience helping crash victims and grieving families in Southern Florida. Time and time again, we’ve gone up against powerful insurance companies, well-funded corporations, and negligent defendants and won big for our clients. Our results speak for themselves: over $30 million recovered.
Call (772) 247-3374 to contact our law office in Port St. Lucie, Florida, to arrange a free consultation and learn more today.
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