We might be a bit biased, but we happen to think that Indian River County is one of the best places in the world to live. It is also a tourist hotspot, nestled along Florida’s Atlantic coast. While the Vero Beach area is a tropical paradise, it also has its share of issues…just like anywhere else in the country.
While Indian River County has a relatively small population compared to neighboring counties, it still has several thousand traffic accidents each year. Many of these crashes are linked to driver error, which often result in moving violations and other citations. If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident in Indian River County, our Vero Beach car accident lawyers can help you get the money that you deserve for your injuries.
At Gould Cooksey Fennell, we are dedicated to helping victims of all types of accidents get the compensation that they deserve for their injuries. We offer free initial consultations for all prospective clients and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. Contact our law offices today to schedule a free consultation with a Vero Beach personal injury attorney.
The Stats: Auto Accidents and Crashes in Indian River County
The Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) collects information about traffic accidents throughout the state. Each year, a report is released on these crashes, breaking data down by county, severity of accidents, age of the driver, and other factors. This data is a useful tool when examining where and how car accidents most often happen in Indian River County.
In 2024, 2,615 traffic accidents were reported in Indian River County. By comparison, there were 2,201 accidents in Indian River County in 2023. This represents a 1.64% decrease in crashes from 2023 to 2024. There are an average of 2,187 traffic accidents in Indian River County each year.
Although the overall number of collisions decreased, the number of fatal accidents did increase overall in Indian River County. In 2024, 23 people died in traffic accidents, while 18 people died in crashes in 2023. On average, 22 people die each year in motor vehicle accidents in Indian River County.
However, there were fewer overall injuries related to motor vehicle accidents in Indian River County in 2024. This past year, 1,385 people suffered an injury in accidents, compared to 1,488 people in 2023 – a 6.92% decrease. On average, 1,406 people are hurt in traffic crashes each year. In 2024, 1,229 accidents in Indian River County only involved property damage.
Of course, traffic accidents are not limited to crashes involving two or more cars, trucks, or SUVS. Vulnerable road users such as bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are hurt in motor vehicle accidents each year in Indian River County. In 2024, there were:
- 54 bicycle crashes
- 1 bicyclist fatality
- 51 cyclist injuries
- 58 motorcycle crashes
- 4 motorcyclist fatalities
- 50 motorcyclist injuries
- 61 pedestrian crashes
- 11 pedestrian fatalities
- 42 pedestrian injuries
- 30 other non-motorist crashes
- 0 other non-motorist fatalities
- 5 other non-motorist injuries
These reports also include data for crashes involving commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), such as semi trucks, buses, and other large commercial vehicles. In 2024, there were 291 CMV accidents, 6 fatalities, and 92 injuries related to CMV accidents.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs remains a major contributor to traffic accidents in Indian River County. In 2024, the following statistics showed the scope of the problem:
- 42 alcohol confirmed crashes
- 1 alcohol confirmed fatality
- 15 alcohol confirmed injuries
- 4 drug confirmed crashes
- 3 drug confirmed fatalities
- 1 drug confirmed injuries
- 4 drug and alcohol confirmed crashes
- 5 drug and alcohol confirmed fatalities
- 0 drug and alcohol confirmed injuries
In total, there were 50 accidents, 9 fatalities, and 16 injuries in Indian River County that were caused by drugs and/or alcohol. Of course, these numbers only represent accidents where drug and alcohol use were confirmed. There may be more accidents where law enforcement did not see or collect evidence of intoxication.
Another factor that contributes to many traffic accidents in Florida is age. Younger drivers are much more likely to be involved in motor vehicle accidents due to inexperience, distracted driving, driving under the influence, nighttime and weekend driving, and not wearing seatbelts.
In 2024, young people in Indian River County were responsible for the following:
- Drivers aged 15 to 19: 301 crashes
- Drivers aged 15 to 19: 0 fatalities
- Drivers aged 15 to 19: 69 injuries
- Drivers aged 20 to 24: 332 crashes
- Drivers aged 20 to 24: 1 fatality
- Drivers aged 20 to 24: 88 injuries
In total, 633 crashes involved drivers between the ages of 15 and 24. That means that 29% of all motor vehicle accidents in Indian River County involved young drivers.
No matter how serious the accident was, a car crash can have a negative impact on your life. Whether your injuries are relatively minor or catastrophic, you will need an experienced Vero Beach car accident attorney to fight for your best interests. Our team of highly skilled personal injury lawyers will advocate for your rights and help you get the compensation that you deserve.
Traffic Citations in Indian River County
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the single leading cause of motor vehicle accidents is driver error. This could include anything from not paying full attention to the road to failing to slow down to navigate a turn to not checking mirrors before changing lanes. Whatever the underlying reason may be, most car crashes are caused by mistakes made by a driver.
In some situations, these errors will lead to a citation of some sort. When police respond to the scene of the accident, they may ticket a driver for any infractions. This may even include a criminal charge in some cases. The prevalence of these citations, as shown in data collected by the state, demonstrates how big the problem truly is.
In 2024, drivers in Indian River County were charged with over 2,500 different criminal offenses related to driving. This includes:
- DUI: 504
- Reckless Driving: 86
- Leaving the Scene of an Accident: 95
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer: 71
- Racing on Highway: 9
- No, Improper, or Expired Driver’s License: 477
- Driving While on a Suspended or Revoked License: 548
- Violation of Driver License Restriction: 1
- Unlawful Use of Driver’s License: 1
- No, Improper, or Expired Vehicle Tag: 111
- Other Driving-Related Criminal Offenses: 635
Drivers in Indian River County were also charged with over 11,000 non-criminal moving violations in 2024. This included:
- Speeding in Posted Zone: 8,333
- Speed Too Fast for Conditions/Failure to Use Due Care: 10
- Careless Driving: 370
- Unknown Driver/ Driver’s License Suspended or Revoked: 1,056
- Failure to Yield Right of Way: 450
- Ran Stop Sign: 217
- Red Light Camera Violation: 1
- Ran Red Light: 239
- Violation of Traffic Control Device: 251
- Improper Turn: 84
- Failure to Stop for School Bus: 19
- Improper Passing: 110
- Following Too Close: 95
- Driving on the Wrong Side of the Road: 39
- Improper Lane Change: 192
- Improper Backing: 21
- Texting While Driving: 24
- Driving without Lights: 28
- Failure to Dim Lights: 7
- Child Restraint: 72
- Other: 246
In addition, drivers in Indian River County were cited for over 18,000 non-moving violations in 2024, including:
- Load Dropping/Shifting/Leaking/Blowing Off and Not Covered: 2
- Improper Parking: 17
- No/Improper Headgear: 8
- Defective/Unsafe Equipment: 122
- Seat Belt Violation: 426
- Expired Driver’s License/Failure to Display Driver’s License: 347
- Expired Vehicle Tag/Failure to Display Vehicle Tag: 1,280
- No Proof of Insurance: 1,187
- Texting While Driving: 27
- Bicycle Regulation Violation/Improper Pedestrian Action: 15
- Other: 553
While these types of citations aren’t always tied to motor vehicle accidents, unsafe driving does cause many traffic crashes each year. Importantly, if the other driver involved in your accident was cited for wrongdoing, this could be important evidence in your case. Our Vero Beach car accident attorneys will investigate your case and build the strongest possible claim for damages.
What Should I Do If I Am in a Car Accident in Indian River County?
Statistics give us an idea of the big picture, but they don’t tell us what we should do if we are personally involved in a motor vehicle accident. Most of us are fortunate to have only ever been in one or two minor crashes in our lifetime. This can make it hard to know exactly what you should do if you are in a collision.
First, you should always seek medical treatment if you are injured in an accident. Even if you don’t think that your injuries are serious, it still makes sense to get checked out by a doctor. This will help you get the right treatment and create a link between the accident and your injuries.
Second, try to collect evidence at the scene if you can. This should include getting the other driver’s name, insurance information, contact information, and license plate number. You should also get contact information for witnesses and take photos and videos of the accident scene, your vehicle, and your injuries.
Third, try to limit what you say to others at the scene. Keep your answers brief and stick to the facts, rather than opining about the cause of the accident or apologizing. Remember that anything that you say could ultimately be used against you to undermine your claim.
Fourth, schedule a consultation with a Vero Beach car accident lawyer as soon as possible. This appointment won’t cost you anything, and it can be a valuable way to learn more about your rights and options for pursuing a claim. If you do decide to move forward, your attorney will advocate for you and help you get the money that you deserve for your injuries.
On a related note, if the at-fault driver’s insurance company reaches out to you, do not talk to them or give a statement. You should also not sign anything. While you are obligated to talk to your own insurer, you don’t have to talk to the other driver’s insurance adjuster.
Experienced Legal Representation for Vero Beach Car Accident Victims
No one expects to be in a car accident. Unfortunately, these Vero Beach car accident stats show that traffic crashes are incredibly common in Indian River County. If you have been hurt in a motor vehicle accident, our law firm is here to help.
Based in Vero Beach, Gould Cooksey Fennell represents clients throughout Florida’s Treasure Coast region. We are dedicated to getting accident victims maximum compensation for their injuries, working tirelessly to prove their case and get them the money that they deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation with an Indian River County car accident lawyer, give us a call at 772-758-8791 or fill out our online contact form.
