How Many Car Accidents Were There in Hillsborough County Last Year?
As of the latest data available from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Hillsborough County has reported a total of 26,260 traffic accidents in 2024, a decrease from 27,474 in 2023. These crashes resulted in 17,354 injuries and 181 fatalities.
The FLHSMV's Crash Dashboard provides real-time statistics that allow residents to monitor trends and stay informed about local road safety. These numbers account for the volume of traffic, road conditions, driver behavior, and enforcement efforts.
What are the most common types of crashes in Hillsborough County?
Out of all 26,260 traffic accidents that happened across Hillsborough County in 2024:
- 687 involved bicycles, including 16 bicyclist fatalities
- 572 involved motorcycles, including 35 motorcyclist fatalities
- 599 involved pedestrians, including 57 pedestrian fatalities
- 6,473 were hit-and-run incidents, resulting in 1,614 injuries and 12 fatalities
What are the most common causes of Hillsborough County Car Accidents?
Several factors contribute to the high number of car accidents in Hillsborough County. The most common causes and factors include:
Distracted driving
Distracted driving poses a constant danger on Hillsborough County roads, particularly in heavily populated areas such as Tampa, Brandon, and Riverview. With so many drivers commuting through congested highways like I-275, I-4, and the Veterans Expressway, even a few seconds of inattention can lead to a crash.
Mobile phone use is a major culprit. Drivers often text at stoplights, scroll social media in traffic jams, or fumble with GPS apps while merging. But distractions also include eating, adjusting the radio, talking to passengers, or even getting lost in thought.
Speeding
Speeding is another widespread problem in Hillsborough County. Many drivers treat roads as race tracks. Whether it's someone running late for work or feeling overly confident behind the wheel, exceeding the speed limit reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes.
What makes speeding particularly dangerous here is the mix of high-speed corridors and densely populated neighborhoods. One moment you're on a fast-moving stretch of I-4, and the next you're entering a residential zone or school area. Drivers who fail to adjust their speed in time often cause collisions at intersections or hit pedestrians and bicyclists.
Impaired driving
Impaired driving continues to be a major contributor to serious and fatal crashes in Hillsborough County. With a vibrant nightlife in Tampa’s SoHo district, Ybor City, and downtown, alcohol-related crashes often spike during evenings and weekends.
Drug impairment, including marijuana and prescription medications, also contributes to a lot of impaired driving crashes. Impaired drivers often have slower reaction times, struggle with coordination, and make poor decisions behind the wheel, such as running red lights or failing to maintain their lane.
Failure to yield
Failure to yield is a common and often underestimated cause of crashes in Hillsborough County. Intersections here are busy and often confusing, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the area.
Many car accidents occur when drivers fail to yield, make improper left turns, or misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic while merging. Roundabouts and uncontrolled intersections in some suburban areas add to the challenge.
Weather conditions
Hillsborough County drivers are no strangers to unpredictable weather. Sudden rainstorms can turn the roads slick in a matter of minutes. Additionally, heavy rainfall reduces visibility, increases stopping distance, and raises the risk of hydroplaning. When coupled with poor drainage on older roads, these conditions can contribute to spin-outs, rear-end crashes, and vehicles sliding through intersections.
Many drivers underestimate the danger of wet roads, particularly when driving on worn tires or failing to adjust their speed.
Injured in a Crash?
Let a trusted Tampa car accident lawyer fight for the compensation you deserve
If you’ve been injured in a car accident anywhere in Hillsborough County, now is the time to act. The insurance companies are already working on their strategy, and it’s not designed to help you. The car accident attorneys at Armando Personal Injury Law fight to level the playing field and make sure your voice is heard. Whether you were rear-ended on I-275, T-boned at a dangerous Tampa intersection, or sideswiped by a distracted driver, we’ll get to work immediately to protect your rights and demand the compensation you deserve.
Attorney Armando Edmiston understands how overwhelming life can feel after a crash. You may be in pain, unable to work, and buried in bills. Meanwhile, the insurance adjusters try to pressure you into a lowball settlement. Don’t fall for it. Our legal team is familiar with the tactics insurance adjusters use, and we won’t let them take advantage of you.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. Let us handle every aspect of your claim so you can focus on healing. Contact us online or call today to find out how we can help during a free, no-obligation case consultation.
“Armando and his staff are incredible. Very professional and attentive. Any time I had questions or concerns about my case (which was quite often), they were happy to answer and give me peace of mind. If I ever have a need for an attorney in the future, I will always use and recommend Armando.” - M.C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐