Florida's Pedestrian Crash Analysis

In this report, Florida personal injury law firm RTRLAW analyzes statewide pedestrian crash data from the FLHSMV Traffic Crash Dashboard in its most populous counties (including Broward, Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, Duval, and Volusia). 

Key findings

• Pedestrian crashes are 2.9% of all Florida traffic incidents but account for more than 20% of all traffic deaths.
• Q1 2026 (January-March) is running 23.9% above the same period in 2025, with March up 31.6%.
• Duval County has the highest pedestrian fatality rate per crash at 8.1%, which is nearly double Miami-Dade's 4.4% and Broward's 4.5%.
• Florida ranks 4th nationally by pedestrian fatality rate (3.41 per 100k vs. 2.18 national average), per NHTSA FARS 2023 data.
• December is consistently the most dangerous month for pedestrians: 1,187 crashes in December 2025, 42% above the summer low.

A state-level problem

10,753 pedestrian crashes were recorded in Florida in 2025. Those incidents resulted in 622 fatalities or approximately 12 deaths each week. This shows that, compared to 2024, when the FLHSMV 2024 annual crash report logged 11,226 crashes and 701 pedestrian deaths, 2025 was somewhat of a minor relief, as crashes fell by roughly 4% and fatalities by 11%.

However, despite the pedestrian crashes accounting for just 2.9% of all Florida traffic incidents in 2025, they account for over 20% of all traffic deaths. Most crashes on Florida roads involve two vehicles, with crumple zones, airbags, and seat belts absorbing the impact. Pedestrian crashes have none of that.

Florida's numbers exceed national averages by a significant margin. The NHTSA FARS data from 2023 shows that Florida has the fourth-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the United States, with a rate of 3.41 deaths per 100000 residents, which exceeds the national average of 2.18. California and Texas experience the highest number of pedestrian deaths because their populations are larger, yet Florida maintains the highest per-capita pedestrian death rate among all large states.

2.9% of crashes. More than 20% of deaths. That ratio has held for years.

Q1 2026: The wrong direction

The 2025 improvement did not carry into 2026. January rose 19.8% year-over-year (924 in 2025 vs. 1,107 in 2026). February - 20.2% (906 vs. 1,089). March was the deadliest at +31.6% (911 vs. 1,199). All three months, unfortunately, move in the same direction.

Seasonal pattern: Winter kills more

The 2025 monthly breakdown shows a consistent winter surge. FLHSMV's pedestrian safety guidance notes that the majority of hit-and-run fatalities in the state occur at night or in low-light conditions - the months with the fewest daylight hours produce the most crashes.

Root causes: Roads built for speed, not people

Florida's pedestrian death rate is partially a road design problem. The state of Florida possesses urban areas that contain multiple roadway segments that include US-19 and US-441, and Orange Blossom Trail and Biscayne Boulevard. The roadways received construction in the 1950s as automobile highways, which needed no redesign work to protect pedestrian traffic. The Smart Growth America organization used NHTSA fatality statistics to create its Dangerous by Design report, which shows that Florida metropolitan areas remain among the top locations for pedestrian fatalities on its nationwide pedestrian danger index, which has existed for over ten years. The Orlando-Kissimmee and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater and Jacksonville and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach metropolitan areas now occupy positions among the six most hazardous large metropolitan areas in the United States for pedestrians.

Speed is the critical variable. Florida's arterial roads were not built with pedestrians in mind, which shows up directly in the county fatality rates below.

Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Duval, Volusia: The county picture

The following figures are from the FLHSMV Traffic Crash Dashboard, based on county-level data. 2025 = full calendar year (preliminary). 2026 YTD covers January through April, 2026.

Miami-Dade leads by a wide margin: 1,883 crashes and 83 fatalities in 2025 are more than the other four counties combined. Broward County recorded 1,238 crashes and 56 fatalities in 2025. Hillsborough County recorded 684 crashes and 51 fatalities in 2025. Duval County recorded 481 crashes and 39 fatalities in 2025, producing the highest fatality rate at 8.1%, nearly double Miami-Dade's 4.4%. Volusia County had 362 crashes and 24 fatalities in 2025. 

How it Tends to Work in Florida

Florida law is almost always on the pedestrian's side in case of an accident.

• When a pedestrian is struck and killed in Florida, legally, it's almost always the driver's fault. The accident is often caused by negligence, intoxication, or distraction, and in the case of hit-and-runs, the act of leaving the crash scene itself.
• The road design creates liability for municipalities and FDOT when it leads to traffic accidents. The absence of a crosswalk, together with insufficient lighting and the intersection's predictable pedestrian hazards, creates grounds for wrongful death lawsuits.
• According to Florida law, a driver involved in a crash must stop and identify themselves. The driver must stay at the accident scene after a death occurs because it constitutes a first-degree felony and they must provide medical help to anyone who suffered an injury from the crash.
• Florida's uninsured motorist coverage laws can also apply. If the fleeing driver was not identified, it is still possible to file a claim through one's own car insurance, as long as the policy covers this type of case.

RTRLAW handles pedestrian accident and wrongful death cases across its four Florida offices in Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.

Solutions: What the evidence points toward

Florida's Vision Zero initiatives and FDOT's safety program address the infrastructure problems described above. High-visibility crosswalk markings reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 48%, according to an FHWA report. 

The Dangerous by Design 2024 report documents the gap between what’s proven to work and what is actually done on Florida's roads. Florida's arterial road network runs thousands of miles. Rebuilding, or even just upgrading, the highest-risk road crossings throughout the state requires substantial funding and prioritization by lawmakers and government officials. Unfortunately, these elements have historically been inconsistent. The Q1 2026 trend (23.9% more pedestrian crashes than in the same period in 2025) clearly indicates that current investment and priority levels do not yet match the scale of this serious problem.

The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, financial, medical, or professional advice. Readers should not rely solely on the content of this article and are encouraged to seek professional advice tailored to their specific circumstances. We disclaim any liability for any loss or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or reliance on, the information presented.