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Gainesville is home to more than 140,000 people, making it the largest city in North Central Florida. However, that doesn’t do justice to just how busy the roads and highways in Gainesville can be. It’s also the home to the University of Florida and the Florida Gators and a hotspot for tourists. Every year, millions of miles are traveled in and through the city.
As a result, car accidents in Gainesville aren’t uncommon. In fact, Florida car accident statistics show that Gainesville and surrounding cities in Alachua County are among the most dangerous in the state.
If you were injured in a car accident in Gainesville, FL you can contact a lawyer from Allen Law Firm, P.A. to schedule your free consultation today at (877) 255-3652.
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How Common Are Car Accidents in Gainesville?

According to the Florida Department Highway of Safety and Motor Vehicles, Gainesville and surrounding cities in Alachua County account for about 1.2 percent of all reported car accidents in the State of Florida.
Collisions in Alachua have actually decreased in recent years, declining by about 11 percent between 2018 and 2021:
- 2018: 5,845 total car accidents reported
- 2019: 5,878 total car accidents reported
- 2020: 4,617 total car accidents reported
- 2021: 5,193 total car accidents reported
In the first 9 and a half months of 2022, a total of 3,490 collisions have been recorded in Alachua County.
Based on these statistics, there have been about 12 car accidents every single day in Gainesville and Alachua County in 2022.
Gainesville Car Accidents Resulting in Physical Injury
Statistics reveal that between 45 and 48 percent of car accidents in Gainesville and Alachua County cause at least one injury.
- 2018: 2,798 collisions causing 4,415 injuries
- 2019: 2,785 collisions causing 4,237 injuries
- 2020: 2,152 collisions causing 3,266 injuries
- 2021: 2,396 collisions causing 3,650 injuries
In the first nine months of 2022, 1,590 collisions have caused at least one injury. In total, 2,311 car accident-related injuries have been reported in Gainesville.
While the total number of accidents causing injuries and overall injuries has decreased in recent years, the rate at which these wrecks cause injuries has remained consistent.
Fatal Car Accidents in Gainesville
Sadly, not everyone who gets into a car accident in Gainesville survives. Unlike injuries, fatal accidents and fatalities have trended up since 2018. Fatal crashes have increased by about 12 percent in that period of time.
- 2018: 49 fatal crashes, 51 deaths
- 2019: 54 fatal crashes, 72 deaths
- 2020: 44 fatal crashes, 48 deaths
- 2021: 55 fatal crashes, 57 deaths
Between January 1, 2022, and September 15, 2022, there have been at least 31 fatal car accidents reported in and around Gainsville, resulting in no fewer than 37 deaths.
Gainesville Crashes Resulting in Property Damage
Statistically speaking, about half of all traffic accidents in and around Gainesville cause property damage only.
- 2018: 2,998 property damage collisions (51.2% total)
- 2019: 3,039 property damage collisions (51.7% total)
- 2020: 2,421 property damage collisions (52.4% total)
- 2021: 2,742 property damage collisions (52.8% total)
So far in 2022, property damage-only collisions dropped below the 50% mark, with 1,148 collisions accounting for 49.6% of the year’s total. This marks an increase in the severity of Gainesville area crashes.
Car Accidents in Gainesville Involving Motorcyclists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians
Drivers and occupants of passenger cars aren’t the only ones who are involved in auto accidents in Gainesville.
Motorcycle accidents in Gainesville, Florida
Between 2018 and 2021, the number of motorcycle accidents in and near Gainesville decreased by about 12 percent.
- 2018: 122 resulting in 6 deaths
- 2019: 131 resulting in 10 deaths
- 2020: 94 resulting in 4 deaths
- 2021: 107 resulting in 6 deaths
However, the total number of motorcycle accident fatalities remained consistent during that same time, marking an uptick in the motorcycle crash fatality rate.
In the first nine months of 2022, there have been a total of 84 motorcycle wrecks, resulting in at least 4 fatalities.
Bicycle Accidents in Gainesville, Florida
Bicyclists have their fair share of run-ins with vehicles in Gainesville. However, there has been a marked reduction in bicycle accidents in the area since 2018. In fact, between 2018 and 2021, bike accidents declined by about 28 percent.
- 2018: 133, resulting in 4 deaths
- 2019: 130 resulting in 0 deaths
- 2020: 87 resulting in 2 deaths
- 2021: 96 resulting in 4 deaths
- 2022: 68 resulting in 1 death
Bicycle accident fatalities have fluctuated over the past few years, with no more than 4 cyclists losing their lives in area collisions during that time.
Pedestrian Accidents in Gainesville, Florida
Between 2018 and 2021, accidents involving pedestrians surged by about 25 percent.
- 2018: 128 resulting in 10 deaths
- 2019: 156 resulting in 11 deaths
- 2020: 100 resulting in 9 deaths
- 2021: 161 resulting in 12 deaths
- 2022: 102 resulting in 9 deaths
Fatalities have also increased slightly during this span of time but remained fairly consistent.
The year 2022 has already seen 102 pedestrian accidents and at least 9 pedestrian fatalities.
Prevalence of Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in Gainesville
Despite the fact that it’s a crime to leave the scene of a car accident in Florida, hit and run accidents are quite common.
In fact, there are generally at least 3 hit-and-run accidents reported every single day.
- 2018: 1,384 hit and run accidents resulting in 319 injuries and 2 deaths
- 2019: 1,480 hit and run accidents resulting in 396 injuries and 3 deaths
- 2020: 1,117 hit and run accidents resulting in 291 injuries and 6 deaths
- 2021: 1,394 hit and run accidents resulting in 395 injuries and 4 deaths
In the first two-thirds of 2022, the Gainesville area has seen 878 hit and runs, leaving 216 people injured and resulting in at least 2 deaths.
Gainesville’s Most Dangerous Roads
So, where do most car accidents in Gainesville, Florida, happen?
While these motor vehicle accidents can happen anywhere, data shows that some particularly dangerous Gainesville roads, intersections, and crossroads include:
- NW 34th Street & NW 39th Avenue
- West University Avenue & NW 22nd Street
- SW 37th Boulevard & SW Archer Road
- SW 16th Avenue & SW 13th Street
- SW 20th Avenue & SW 62nd Boulevard
- SW 13th Street & SW Williston Road
- University Ave
- Waldo Road
- 13th Street
- 34th Street
- Main Street
- Williston Road
- Archer Road
You might not be able to avoid these roads or intersections if you drive in Gainesville regularly. And you shouldn’t have to alter your route just because accidents are more prevalent on these stretches of road. However, knowing where accidents tend to happen can help you to stay safe if you exercise additional caution while navigating them.
Speak With a Gainesville Car Accident Lawyer If You’ve Been Injured
Contact an experienced Gainesville car accident lawyer at Allen Law Firm, P.A., if you or a loved one has recently been injured in a wreck. Our team – which includes skilled attorneys and former insurance claims adjusters – has over 100 years of combined experience handling cases like yours. We’ve won hundreds of millions for crash victims in Gainesville and across North Central Florida.
Now it’s time for you to benefit from our experience, insight, and reputation.
Contact our law office in Gainesville, FL, to arrange a free consultation to learn more. Our team is standing by to take your call – 24/7/365.
FAQs
What city in Florida has the most car accidents? ›
You can use total accidents to compare Florida's most dangerous cities. By this measure, Miami is Florida's most dangerous city for car accidents. Miami had 36,903 car accidents in 2021.
What are the statistics for car accidents in Florida? ›The 401,533 accidents in Florida in 2021 represent an average of 1,100.09 accidents per day. This total represents an increase from 2020, which averaged 933 accidents per day. In 2021, the state averaged 449 accidents per day involving injuries.
Who causes the most car accidents in Florida? ›Driver Error
It should come as no surprise that overwhelmingly, crashes are caused by drivers. The study confirmed that 94% of the crashes surveyed were attributed to driver error.
While Florida ranks third-highest with 3,098 fatal car accidents, the state with the fourth-highest total (Georgia) had less than half of this number of fatal car accidents in 2020 (1,522).
What is the deadliest highway in Florida? ›Interstate 75
This interstate highway spans a total of 471 miles from Florida to Michigan, passing through Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. This particularly deadly highway experiences an average of 47.2 fatal crashes per 100 miles and is known for its congestion and safety issues.
I-4 runs from Tampa to Daytona Beach. It was named the most dangerous highway in America in a 2016 report, with 1.41 fatalities per mile over a six-year period. A study from the company Geotab named US-41, which runs through Tampa, as the second most dangerous highway in the country.
Where do 50% of all accidents occur? ›More than 50 percent of the combined total of fatal and injury crashes occur at or near intersections.
Why does Florida have so many car accidents? ›In Florida, the list is topped by speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving. These are closely followed by weather and road conditions. Knowing the risk factors can help all drivers take appropriate preventive measures and steer toward safe driving practices.
Why does Florida have so many accidents? ›The primary reason that Florida has so many motor vehicle-pedestrian/bicyclist accidents is the same reason that so many people come to Florida-the great weather and an abundance of outdoor activities.
Where do crashes happen the most Florida? ›- Intersections. A significant percentage of all car crashes occur at intersections. ...
- Highways. ...
- Parking Lots and Garages. ...
- Rural Areas. ...
- Undivided Two-Lane Roads. ...
- Construction Zones. ...
- Roads Around Entertainment Venues, Schools, and Tourist Destinations.
What city has the highest car accident rate? ›
Which U.S. City Has the Most Car Accidents? Baltimore, Maryland, ranks as the city with the most automobile accidents in the US. Drivers in Baltimore average one collision every 4.19 years, and there are 38.58 hard-breaking occurrences per 1,000 miles compared to the national average.
What are 80% of accidents caused by? ›“About 80 per cent of road crashes are caused by human errors because most of the crashes are avoidable and preventable, “he said.
Why is Florida no-fault? ›Florida is called a “No Fault” state because it has a law requiring a type of car accident insurance that pays regardless of who was at fault for the accident. This type of insurance coverage is called No-Fault insurance or Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
Is Florida hard on cars? ›Florida is a beautiful place to live, but it can be brutal on your vehicle. High humidity, frequent rain, and harsh sunlight can all prematurely age your car or truck's appearance. If left unchecked, they can also damage your vehicle's structure. Luckily, there are many ways to protect your ride from these elements.
Is Florida still no-fault? ›Florida is a no-fault automobile insurance state. This means that drivers must carry personal injury protection insurance (PIP) to pay for their medical expenses and other accident-related damages, regardless of who caused the collision.
What is America's deadliest road? ›I-15, Nevada and California
The 181-mile stretch of Interstate 15 between Las Vegas and Los Angeles isn't dangerous because of road conditions – it's because of the drivers on the highway. In fact, one study checked out data over a 15-year period and found it to be the deadliest road in America.
Interstate 4 has 1.134 deaths per mile of highway, and the deadliest city is Orlando, FL with 11 deaths. Interstate 45 has 0.913 deaths per mile of highway, and the deadliest city is Houston, TX with 92 deaths. Route 192 has 0.867 deaths per mile of highway, and the deadliest city is Kissimmee, FL with 10 deaths.
Where was the 17 car pile up in Florida? ›VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla.
- Interstate-95 (I-95) has reopened more than 24 hours after closing following a series of deadly crashes. Three people were killed in five separate crashes involving 17-vehicles in Volusia County on Thursday. Crews worked overnight to repair the lanes.
Among the Indian cities, the capital city of Delhi had the most number of road accident deaths with 1.2 thousand deaths during 2021, followed by the southern city of Chennai with over nine hundred deaths due to road accidents in that year.
What area has the most car accidents? ›...
Some particularly telling stats include:
- Passenger vehicle deaths made up 62% of motor vehicle deaths in 2020. ...
- 24% of passenger vehicle deaths were people under the age of 25.