Clearwater Car Accident Statistics

Clearwater, Florida is home to more than 116,000 people and, as a hotspot for tourism, welcomes millions more every year.

It’s no surprise that Clearwater and surrounding towns in Pinellas County have some of the state’s busiest – and most dangerous – roads.

Car accidents are commonplace, with Pinellas County accounting for four percent of the state’s total collisions.

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How Common Are Car Accidents in Clearwater, FL?

Every year, thousands of car accidents unfold on roads in Clearwater and other towns in Pinellas County, FL.

According to car accident data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), crashes have dropped slightly in recent years, dropping by about 13 percent between 2019 and 2023:

2019: 17,078 total collisions
2020: 14,313 total collisions
2021: 16,464 total collisions
2022: 15,682 total collisions
2023: 14,817 total collisions

As of April 2024, there have been 3,734 car accidents reported in the area.

Clearwater Car Accidents Resulting in Physical Injury

Not everyone who gets into a car accident in Clearwater walks away unscathed. In fact, depending on the year, between 39 and 41 percent of the area’s total collisions cause at least one injury.

2019: 7,156 accidents resulting in 10,404 injuries
2020: 5786 accidents resulting in 8,412 injuries
2021: 6,546 accidents resulting in 9,427 injuries
2022: 6,368 accidents resulting in 9,210 injuries
2023: 6,432 accidents resulting in 9,189 injuries

As of April 2024, 1,532 of the area’s car accidents have caused an injury, with 2,178 people reporting trauma.

Fatal Car Accidents in Clearwater

Sadly, scores of traffic accidents in and around Clearwater, FL are fatal.

The overall number of fatal accidents in the area has declined recently:

2019: 107 fatal crashes causing 108 deaths
2020: 102 fatal crashes causing 108 deaths
2021: 146 fatal crashes causing 155 deaths
2022: 113 fatal crashes causing 121 deaths
2023: 103 fatal crashes causing 111 deaths

As of April 2024, Pinellas has seen 26 fatal car accidents, leaving families devastated after the wrongful deaths of their loved ones.

Clearwater Crashes Resulting in Property Damage

Typically, more than half of all car accidents in Clearwater and Pinellas County cause property damage only.

2019: 9,815 (57.5 percent)
2020: 8,425 (58.8 percent)
2021: 6,692 (40.7 percent)
2022: 9,313 (59.3 percent)
2023: 8,385 (59.5 percent)

As of April 2024, statistics reveal 2,202 property damage accidents – a majority of the area’s total crashes.

Car Accidents in Clearwater Involving Motorcyclists, Bicyclists, and Pedestrians

Passengers and drivers of passenger vehicles aren’t the only ones involved in traffic accidents in Clearwater. Biking, walking, and riding a motorcycle are all increasingly popular ways to get in and around the city – but also some of the most dangerous options.

Bicycle Accidents

Clearwater is known as a bicycle-friendly beach town on the Gulf Coast, and for a good reason. There are tons of trails and dedicated locations for bicyclists to ride. However, hundreds of bicyclists are involved in collisions when they’re forced to share the road with larger vehicles.

2019: 513 bicycle accidents, 10 of which were fatal
2020: 518 bicycle accidents, 8 of which were fatal
2021: 546 bicycle accidents, 16 of which were fatal
2022: 578 bicycle accidents, 13 of which were fatal
2023: 652 bicycle accidents, 12 of which were fatal

Bicyclist fatalities have declined in recent years. 2024 data up to April shows 191 bike crashes, with a total of 2 fatalities.

Pedestrian Accidents

Overall, pedestrian accidents have dropped slightly since 2019. Fatalities surged in 2021 but normalized in the following years.

2019: 572 pedestrian accidents causing 42 fatalities
2020: 438 pedestrian accidents causing 30 fatalities
2021: 498 pedestrian accidents causing 60 fatalities
2022: 474 pedestrian accidents causing 36 fatalities
2023: 487 pedestrian accidents causing 42 fatalities

2024 has seen 121 pedestrian accidents and 7 fatalities as of April.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle crashes are down in Clearwater.

2019: 428 motorcycle accidents resulting in 22 deaths
2020: 411 motorcycle accidents resulting in 18 deaths
2021: 433 motorcycle accidents resulting in 30 deaths
2022: 435 motorcycle accidents resulting in 31 deaths
2023: 420 motorcycle accidents resulting in 20 deaths

In 2024, there have been 94 motorcycle crashes, and 7 motorcycle accident fatalities reported (up to April).

Prevalence of Hit-and-Run Car Accidents in Clearwater, FL

Even though it can be a crime to leave the scene of a Clearwater car accident, there are thousands of reported hit-and-run accidents every year.

Many of these accidents cause serious injuries and death:

2019: 4,849 (causing 974 injuries and 6 deaths)
2020: 4,259 (causing 853 injuries and 15 deaths)
2021: 4,895 (causing 948 injuries and 11 deaths)
2022: 4,456 (causing 869 injuries and 8 deaths)
2023: 4,107 (causing 793 injuries and 11 deaths)

So far, in 2024, there have been 987 hit-and-run collisions, leaving 163 people injured and resulting 2 fatalities.

Clearwater’s Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections

Clearwater and other cities on the Gulf Coast are home to some of the most dangerous roads and highways in the state.

In Clearwater, particularly dangerous intersections include:

US-19 and Gulf-to-Bay Blvd
US-19 and Drew St
Belcher Rd and Gulf-to-Bay Blvd
SR-60 and Belcher Rd
SR 686 and 34th St N

You can’t guarantee that you’ll avoid an accident just by knowing where most car accidents in Clearwater take place. However, this information can help you know when it might be important to exercise a little bit of extra caution while driving through the city.

Speak With a Car Crash Lawyer in Clearwater If You’ve Been Injured in a Collision

Clearwater car accident statistics reveal that more people are getting hurt in area crashes. If you or a family member has recently been involved in a collision, don’t hesitate to contact Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers

Our Clearwater car accident attorneys have over 119 years of combined experience and have won millions on behalf of deserving crash victims like you.

We offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis. You pay our personal injury attorney in Clearwater nothing unless we win your case. No win, no fee – guaranteed.

Contact our Clearwater, FL law office to set up a time for your free consultation to get started on your case today at (727) 493-4418.

Our team handles all car accident cases, such as:

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