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Ocala, Florida, is home to more than 64,000 people and welcomes thousands of workers, visitors, and tourists every year. While it might not be one of the biggest cities in Florida, it has its fair share of car accidents.
In fact, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that about 1.7 percent of the state’s car accidents occur in Ocala and surrounding cities in Marion County.
If you were injured in a car accident in Ocala, FL you can contact an Ocala car accident 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 Ocala?

Every year, thousands of car accidents are reported in and around Ocala, Florida. Overall, total collisions declined in 2020 but surged the following year.
Between 2018 and 2021, traffic accidents in the area increased by almost 18 percent.
- 2018: 6,113
- 2019: 6,353
- 2020: 5,198
- 2021: 7,132
- 2022: 4,683
In the first nine and a half months of 2022, there have been 4,683 auto accidents reported in and around Ocala.
Based on 2022 car accident statistics, there are about 16.4 collisions reported in Ocala every day.
Ocala Car Accidents Resulting in Physical Injury
About half of all car accidents in Ocala result in at least one physical injury. Statewide, only about 40 percent of car accidents cause an injury. This makes Ocala a more dangerous place to drive (statistically speaking).
Both the number of injury-causing crashes and injuries reported after Marion County car accidents have increased since 2018.
- 2018: 3,135 accidents resulting in 5,210 injuries
- 2019: 3,179 accidents resulting in 5,267 injuries
- 2020: 2,993 accidents resulting in 4,908 injuries
- 2021: 3,732 accidents resulting in 6,676 injuries
In the first nine months of 2022, 2,448 collisions have resulted in at least one injury. Preliminary reports indicate that 6,676 injuries have been recorded.
Fatal Car Accidents in Ocala
Dozens of people tragically lose their lives in Ocala-area car accidents every year. Both fatal crashes and fatalities have increased in recent years.
While the overall number of accidents decreased in 2020, fatal car accidents and fatalities surged. In fact, between 2019 and 2020, fatal crashes increased by about 15 percent, while car accident-related deaths increased by about 17 percent.
- 2018: 78, 84
- 2019: 82, 90
- 2020: 94, 105
- 2021: 84, 93
The year 2021 saw a slight drop in accidents from the year prior, but deadly car accidents and deaths were still up, overall.
In the first two-thirds of 2022, 61 fatal car accidents and 64 car accident fatalities were recorded in Ocala and surrounding cities in Marion County.
Ocala Crashes Resulting in Property Damage
Depending on the year, between 40 and 50 percent of car accidents in Marion County, FL, don’t cause a reportable injury or death. They only cause property damage.
Overall, the percentage of collisions causing property damage only has remained fairly constant. Only 2020 saw a significant drop in property damage-only crashes.
- 2018: 2,900 (47.4% total)
- 2019: 3,092 (48.6% total)
- 2020: 2,111 (40.6% total)
- 2021: 3,316 (46.4% total)
As of September 15, 2022, the rate of property damage accidents in Ocala has remained steady from the year prior, with 2,174 accidents reported (for 46.4% of the area’s total).
Car Accidents in Ocala Involving Motorcyclists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians
Driving isn’t the only way to experience Ocala, Florida. Riding a motorcycle, biking, and walking are all increasingly popular forms of transportation in Marion County. However, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians do take risks by sharing the road with larger vehicles.
Motorcycle Accidents in Marion County, FL
Scores of motorcyclists are injured and killed in Ocala-area motorcycle accidents every year.
Between 2018 and 2021, motorcycle collisions increased by about 24 percent.
- 2018: 177 wrecks resulting in 9 fatalities
- 2019: 198 wrecks resulting in 10 fatalities
- 2020: 190 wrecks resulting in 12 fatalities
- 2021: 219 wrecks resulting in 20 fatalities
In the first nine months of 2022, there have already been 157 motorcycle wrecks and 17 fatalities recorded in Ocala and adjacent communities.
Bicycle Accidents in Marion County, FL
Riding a bicycle can be dangerous in Ocala and Marion County. Since 2018, Ocala’s roads seem to have become more treacherous for cyclists, as both the number of bicycle accidents and bike-accident deaths have increased.
- 2018: 47, 4
- 2019: 76, 1
- 2020: 61, 2
- 2021: 52, 3
Bike accidents recorded in 2022 have already surpassed 2021’s total. In the first nine months, 64 bicyclists have been involved in accidents. At least one of these collisions was fatal.
Pedestrian Accidents in Marion County, FL
Ocala is a somewhat walkable city, but pedestrians still take a risk by sharing the road with cars and trucks.
Every year, more than 100 pedestrians are involved in collisions in and around Ocala. Overall, pedestrian accidents have increased slightly in recent years. Fatalities have surged, with a 70 percent increase between 2018 and 2021.
- 2018: 135, 11
- 2019: 159, 20
- 2020: 144, 22
- 2021: 135, 18
In 2022, 91 pedestrian accidents and 9 pedestrian accident fatalities have been recorded.
Are Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in Ocala Common?
In 2021, there were between 4 and 5 hit-and-run collisions reported in Marion County every day.
Statistics reveal that hit and runs have increased in recent years.
- 2018: 1,274 hit and run accidents resulting in 400 injuries and 7 deaths
- 2019: 1,420 hit and run accidents resulting in 426 injuries and 3 deaths
- 2020: 1,275 hit and run accidents resulting in 391 injuries and 4 deaths
- 2021: 1,583 hit and run accidents resulting in 528 injuries and 4 deaths
Preliminary statistics for 2022 (through mid-September) reveal 1,053 hit-and-run accidents, with 332 reported injuries and 4 recorded deaths.
Ocala’s Most Dangerous Roads
Accidents can and do happen anywhere in Ocala, Florida. However, data suggests that some roads and intersections in Ocala are more dangerous than others.
I-75 runs through western Ocala, offering several opportunities for travelers to make their way into the city. Many of these offramps (and onramps) are hotspots for car accidents.
This includes:
- Exit 350: I-75 and College Road
- Exit 352: I-75 and Silver Springs Boulevard
- Exit 354: I-75 and Blitchton Road
Other notably dangerous stretches of road in Ocala include:
- Pine Avenue and SW 17th Street
- College Road and SW 27th Avenue
- Silver Springs Boulevard and Pine Avenue
- Silver Springs Boulevard and SE 25th Avenue
You can exercise additional caution while using these offramps or traveling through these intersections in Ocala to reduce the risk of a crash.
Speak With an Ocala Car Accident Lawyer If You’ve Been Injured
Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident in Ocala, Florida? Speak with an experienced Ocala car accident attorney at Allen Law Firm, P.A., for immediate legal assistance. You may have the right to compensation, and our award-winning Florida trial attorneys are ready to help you seek maximum damages from those responsible.
Our team, which includes experienced litigators and former insurance adjusters, has over 100 years of experience. We’ve won hundreds of millions on behalf of clients just like you.
Call our law office in Ocala, FL, to discover why you’ll want us fighting for you, too. We offer a free consultation, so reach out to our compassionate team to get started now.
FAQs
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.
How do I find an accident report online in Florida? ›Once the crash report(s) is/are purchased, reports become available online immediately and must be downloaded within 48 hours of the request. A download link will be emailed to the email address provided at the time of the request. Visit the Florida Crash Portal to request a copy of a crash report.
How do I find out about local car accidents? ›Police Departments: State and local law enforcement agencies may also be able to provide basic information about auto accidents. If you call a local police department, they may be able to tell you if an official crash report listed a person's name as having been involved in an accident in recent days/hours.
How do I find a car accident report in Florida? ›Official Crash Records
(Section 316.066 (2)(a), F.S.) Crash Report Form: For a copy of your crash report form, contact FLHSMV at www.FloridaCrashPortal.gov. You may also submit public records requests for additional data to CrashRecords@flhsmv.gov or by phone at (850) 617-3416 option 1.
In 2021, about 9.3% of accidents in Florida happened in Miami. If you include the entire county, Miami-Dade accounts for 32.1% of all traffic accidents in Florida in 2021. Although it has almost double the population, Jacksonville comes in a close second to Miami. Jacksonville had 31,098 car accidents in 2021.
Where do most car accidents happen in Florida? ›Miami is part of Miami-Dade County, the leading county in the state for the highest number of vehicle accidents. In 2020, the FLHSMV reported 51,543 accidents in the county. There were 314 fatalities and 24,228 injuries.
Are car accidents public record in Florida? ›Florida law classifies car accident reports as public records. But this happens only 60 days after the report date. For the first 60 days after the traffic crash report, only certain people tied to the accident can access it. This crash report contains important information about your crash and your injuries.
Are police incident reports public record in Florida? ›Per Florida Statute Section 316.066, effective June 5, 2001, accident reports are no longer a public record under the provisions of Florida Statute Section 119.07 for a period of 60 days after the date the report is filed. However, they can be made available immediately to: The parties involved.
Are Florida police reports public? ›Police crime and arrest reports are public records subject to public inspection as provided in s. 119.07(1), F. S., and the custodian of public records must supply copies of any public record under his control upon payment of fees as set out in the Public Records Law.
Can Google detect car accidents? ›Car crash detection requires location, physical activity, and microphone permissions to work. If your phone determines you got in a severe car crash and calls emergency services, your approximate location and car crash data may be transmitted to emergency services by Android's Emergency Location Service.
Can Google maps show accidents? ›
Very few people know that Google Maps will also, when reported, inform you about car accidents. And even few people know about Google Maps Safer Routing, made to reduce sudden breaks and accidents. Safer Routing will consider road, weather, and traffic conditions when directing you to your location on Google Maps.
Do you have to report a minor bump? ›Even if the accident may seem minor, you should either swap details with the other parties involved at the scene or report the accident to the police. If you don't, it could be seen that you've failed to stop or failed to report an accident, both of which can affect your driving record, or even carry a prison sentence.
Is Florida a no fault state? ›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.
How long does a car accident stay on your insurance record in Florida? ›In Florida, however, a crash goes on your record if you were issued a traffic citation as a result of the accident. Most stay on your record for three to five years, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Are crash reports anonymous? ›There is no personal Information on a crash Report unless you put something personally identifiable in the comment field.
What is the deadliest road in Florida? ›US-19 from Denton Ave. to San Marco Dr. is the deadliest stretch of road in Florida. The road is located in Pasco County and had 25 fatal accidents. Drunk driving contributed to more fatal accidents than speeding and distracted driving combined.
What is the deadliest road in America Florida? ›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 is the safest place in Florida? ›- Naples. Naples is not only famous for its low crime rate, but also its fabulous schools and amenities. ...
- Weston. Weston Town Square. ...
- Satellite Beach. ...
- Palm Beach. ...
- Cape Coral. ...
- Parkland. ...
- Santa Rosa Beach, FL. ...
- Windermere.
More than 50 percent of the combined total of fatal and injury crashes occur at or near intersections.
What is the number one cause of 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.
Who causes most accidents in Florida? ›
- Speeding. Florida's speed limits are calculated to help travelers arrive at their destinations safely. ...
- Failing to obey a traffic control light. ...
- Texting while driving. ...
- Drunk driving. ...
- Driving while high. ...
- Bad weather. ...
- Falling asleep behind the wheel. ...
- Animals.
If you are required by Florida Statutes § 316.066 to report an accident and fail to do so, the consequences you face are non-criminal in nature. The failure to report an accident results in a $30 penalty. You cannot go to jail for this offense, as it is not treated as a criminal charge.
How are car accidents handled in Florida? ›Florida is a “no-fault” state, meaning each person's insurance company pays for their own accident expenses — no matter whose fault it is. If an accident causes someone more damage or injuries than your insurance policy covers, you may have a right to sue you for additional damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit.
Do all accidents need to be recorded? ›Reporting and recording are legal requirements. The report tells the enforcing authorities for occupational health and safety (HSE and local authorities) about serious incidents and cases of disease. This means they can identify where and how risks arise and whether they need to be investigated.
Do police record every incident? ›National crime recording standard
The police register an incident report for all reports of incidents (whether from victims, witnesses or third parties and whether crime related or not).
12 states, including Florida, require the consent of all parties being recorded. Florida courts ruled that “parties” does not include on-duty police.
How do I look up a police report in Florida? ›- Visit Our Public Records Center.
- Call: 239-321-7665.
- Visit: 2210 Widman Way. Fort Myers, Florida 33901. Monday to Friday Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Interested persons can remotely access online portals made available by many of the County Courts to look up court cases. The appellate divisions of the Florida court system also provide online access to court cases on its Supreme Court docket portal and the District Courts of Appeal docket portal.
What is the best free website for public records? ›- Truthfinder - Overall Number 1 Free Background Check Service.
- Intelius - Best Free Public Records Checker Site.
- Instant Checkmate - Leading Site For Court Records.
- US Search - Best For Searching Arrest Records Online.
The baseline 4 anniversary year retention is pursuant to the Statute of Limitations, Section 95.11, Florida Statutes.
Can iphones sense car accidents? ›
When a severe car crash is detected, your iPhone or Apple Watch sounds an alarm and displays an alert1. Your iPhone reads the alert, in case you can't see the screen. If you have only your phone, the screen displays an Emergency Call slider and your phone can call emergency services.
Do iphones detect car crash? ›If you're in a severe car crash and unresponsive in a location without a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, iPhone will attempt to contact emergency services using Emergency SOS via satellite, where available.
Which phone has crash detection? ›Here's how to set it up.
Can GPS detect accident? ›GPS Vehicle Tracker System can be used for Accident Detection Alert System. Nowadays, known stars and constellations have been replaced by the satellites of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSSs). For positioning, it is sufficient to receive the radio signals of at least four satellites whose positions are known.
Can you predict an accident? ›Although difficult, traffic accident prediction is not impossible. Accidents don't arise in a purely random manner; their occurrence is influenced by a multitude of factors such as drivers' physical conditions, car types, driving speed, traffic condition, road structure and weather.
Does Waze tell you about accidents? ›Reports in Waze is an information tool users can access to see what's happening live on their navigational route. You can see if there's a cop nearby, accidents that might be slowing traffic, and hazards along the way.
What happens if someone denies hitting your car? ›If the defendant's side denies liability, this means that they do not accept that the defendant was responsible for your accident. If the defendant fails to accept liability, the next most likely step in your case is to get supporting evidence to present to the defendant.
What happens if you accidentally bump into a car? ›Contact police
Many states require you to call the police when your vehicle is involved in an accident. If there is any noticeable damage, you should contact the police. They can take a report and may know if there are any security cameras in the area.
If you're involved in an accident, you must tell your insurance company as soon as possible. Most insurers specify that you must inform them within 24 hours of the incident. Check the wording of your insurance policy to see if your insurer has specified how long you have to report an accident.
Can I sue the at fault driver in Florida? ›You have up to four years from the date of the car accident to file a claim against the at-fault driver and their insurance company, according to Florida Statute 95.11. In other words, you can sue the at-fault driver for causing an accident and recover the compensation that you need within the specified period.
Who pays for car damage in a no-fault state Florida? ›
Due to Florida's no-fault laws, your insurance will pay for your auto repair after an accident you did not cause in Florida. However, if the costs of damages exceed your policy limits, you may qualify to recover additional compensation elsewhere.
Can someone sue you for a car accident in Florida? ›The accident victim could sue you after a car accident in Florida if their injuries meet the serious injury threshold. However, filing a lawsuit does not guarantee that you will be financially liable for the person's damages.
Does your insurance go up after an accident in Florida? ›Car insurance rates are slightly higher after an at-fault accident with injuries compared to an accident with only property damage. In Florida, your rates could increase anywhere from 22% to 77% depending on your insurance company.
What happens after a car accident not your fault in Florida? ›Florida is a no-fault state according to Florida Statute 627.7407, and this means that when you have suffered an injury as a result of a car accident, your mandatory no-fault coverage will automatically reimburse you for damages, regardless of who caused the accident.
How long after a car accident can you sue in Florida? ›Many wonder, How long after a car accident can you sue in Florida? Florida limits injury lawsuits to within four years after a car accident. If your loved one died in an accident, however, the law restricts suits to within two years of the death.
What happens if you don't tell your insurance about a crash? ›Almost every insurance provider will have a clause in their policy requiring you to declare any incidents you've been involved in while driving in the past 5 years. If you don't report something and your insurance provider finds out about it later, they could invalidate your policy.
Does sending crash reports help? ›Even if you experience a crash that seems similar to previous crashes you should still submit it as each report often provides new insight or perspective on a crash.
What is the leading cause of 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.
Even so, there are still well over 1,000 car accidents in Florida every day. This makes Florida among the most dangerous states for drivers in the country. Approximately 40% of all car accidents in Florida result in injuries.
Does Florida have a lot of car accidents? ›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 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 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.
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.
How is Florida a no-fault state? ›The basis of Florida's no fault system is that every licensed driver in Florida is required to carry at least $10,000 of Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, and $10,000 in Property Damage Liability, or PDL. PIP coverage pays for 80% of your medical treatment bills and 60% of lost wages up to your policy limit.
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 the safest state to drive in? ›Mississippi has the highest number of fatal car accidents per population with a death rate of 22.2 deaths per 100,000 people. This number correlates with Mississippi drivers admitting to spending 8% of driving time on their phones. The state also sits amongst the lowest seat belt usage in the country.
Who has more car accidents male or female? ›Who Gets Into More Car Accidents? Statistics show that males get into more accidents than women every year. Men cause about 6.1 million accidents per year and women cause 4.4 million accidents per year, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.