California’s roads are some of its best-known features, from the Los Angeles County freeways to the winding PCH. But all drivers in the state must be mindful of certain risks. Knowing key California car accident statistics is a great place to start.
We’ll look closely at these numbers (on their own and in comparison to the US) and also examine where, why, and how these accidents happen.
National Car Accident Statistics
Per the most recent finalized figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 5.9 million car accidents occurred in the US during 2022. These accidents led to 42,514 deaths and approximately 2.38 million injuries.
How many car crashes a day take place in the US?
Based on the NHTSA’s most recent finalized numbers, more than 16,000 car accidents happen each day.
It’s unfortunately accurate to say that the chances of dying in a car crash are too significant for anyone in the US (including California) to ignore. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidental deaths are the fourth-leading cause of death in the US. (If you isolated car accidents, they’d be 12th on the list.)
Key California Car Accident Statistics
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) is only finalized up to 2020. But its tally of 367,768 total crashes (including property-damage-only incidents) in that year provides a reasonable baseline for gauging overall auto accident risk.
Injury and fatality data for California is more up to date, courtesy of the Federal Highway Administration (FHA): As recently as 2022, auto accidents caused 4,428 deaths and 17,770 injuries in the state. That’s the highest annual death toll in the US for 2022, though Texas had more serious accident-related injuries in the same year (18,880).
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) assigns California a fatality rate of 11.3 deaths per 100,000 residents. When calculating fatality rate in terms of vehicle miles traveled (VMT), California has 1.4 deaths per 100 million VMT.
Though some of these numbers are troubling, NHTSA projections indicate that there’s been a recent decline in vehicular-related deaths. When the agency finalizes its 2024 auto fatality data, it could be lower than any seen in five years. This would, in theory, make one’s chances of dying in a car crash less in California than they’ve been in some time.
Where and When Do the Most Car Accidents Occur in California?
2022 data from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) makes it clear that the majority of California car accidents occur on urban freeways.
The question “Where do the most road accidents occur?” leads you to a different answer in California’s rural areas. Here, crashes on two- or three-lane roadways are considerably more common than accidents on wider roads or expressways.
In terms of time, California car accident statistics from SWITRS make it clear that crashes are most frequent on the weekend. Evening, nighttime, and the early morning (specifically 5-6 a.m.) are the riskiest times of day for Golden State motorists.
Major Causes of California Car Accidents
Looking at SWITRS data quickly shows that many of the state’s major causes of fatal accident causes are the same risky behaviors contributing to similar tragedies elsewhere in the US:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Improper turns
- Vehicles breaking the right-of-way rules
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs
Alcohol impairment and speeding appear are easily the most deadly behaviors contributing to fatal crashes in California. For example, in 2022, more than half of the 4,428 fatalities in California car accidents were considered alcohol-impaired (involving a driver with blood alcohol content 0.08 or greater). Meanwhile, speeding contributed to 32% of statewide traffic accidents.
California Car Accident Statistics Compared to the Rest of the US
California having the most total auto fatalities partly stems from scope (being the second-largest US state). Granted, this doesn’t diminish California’s overall auto accident risk. But when you look closely at the other key metrics, a different picture emerges.
Are California’s Roads Less Dangerous Than Total Deaths Would Suggest?
Per the IIHS, in terms of traffic accident deaths per 100,000 residents, the state places at 21 out of 51 (including the District of Columbia) when ranked from lowest to highest. If using the VMT-based fatality rate, California is less impressive when similarly ranked (32 of 51). But this can be partially attributed to California’s size (and high volume of car travel).
As such, the odds of dying in a car crash are effectively lower (sometimes far lower) in California than a majority of US states.
Which Auto Accident Causes are More Common in California than Elsewhere?
When looking at where most road accidents occur in California, urban freeways stood out as the riskiest type of road. The state’s freeway system is oft-criticized for its low infrastructural quality. Pothole similar hazards can easily make an accident more likely.
California has a higher alcohol-related auto fatality rate (0.47 deaths per 100 million VMT) than the national average (0.42). It’s one of the country’s 15 worst states for alcohol-impaired crashes. California’s percentage of speeding-related deaths (32%) also exceeds the national average (29%), but it ranks 16th from worst to least.
Safety Tips for California Drivers
Many of the best ways to stay safe on California roads and lower the odds of dying in a car crash apply elsewhere in America:
- Buckle your seatbelt every time, for every passenger, no matter how short the trip.
- Avoid distractions (cell phones, food, drink, dashboard entertainment consoles, etc.).
- Stick to speed limits.
- Never drive without being sober and fully awake.
- Be mindful of other drivers and road conditions.
Based on details from California car accident statistics, other best practices come to mind:
- Keep an eye out for drivers weaving in and out of lanes or otherwise appearing intoxicated.
- Be especially careful on freeways you know are in bad shape.
- Remain especially vigilant when freeways are crowded, when merging and right-of-way issues are a bigger risk.
Get Expert Legal Guidance
No one deserves to face the aftermath of a car accident alone, especially careful drivers who avoid risky behavior. When you need compassion and expertise, your fight is our fight. Reach out to The May Firm to get the legal aid you deserve.
