Car Accident Statistics in 2024

Friday, February 14, 2025

Car Accident Statistics in 2024

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

Considering the history and prevalence of car accidents, it is impossible to turn a blind eye to the magnitude with which they shape our daily lives and concerns about safety. That said, here are some of the leading car accident statistics in 2024 and how such figures touch our lives. If you have been harmed by such an accident in Chicago, IL, Malman Law is here for you.

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Fatal Car Accidents by Year

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated 43,230 killed in traffic in 2021, 42,514 in 2022, and 40,990 in 2023. For 2024, early estimates say there were about 8650 deaths in the first three months. These portend the need for an awakening morality and safety for commuters.

This shows how urgent it has become to begin programs that would set the foundation for ensuring safety through stricter enforcement of traffic laws and educating road users with a proper awareness campaign exposing them to life-risky behavior such as driving under the influence or distracted driving.

What State Has the Most Car Accidents?

With the biggest number of highways and the dense population of the state, Texas always leads in the number of car accidents among all states in the country. But a number of crashes in Illinois, primarily the Chicago metropolitan area, is pretty big, with icy winter roads being one of the main reasons for frequent car accidents. According to the Monthly Summary Sheet from the Illinois Department of Transportation in January 2024, more than 15% of accidents happen in Cook County alone. 

Car Accidents by Age and Sex

Statistical data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) indicate that men die in motor vehicle crashes at a rate more than twice that of women because men usually drive more, according to their riskier behaviors, including speeding, impaired driving, and not wearing seat belts. They are involved in more severe crashes. In every year from 1975 to 2022, except a few, the number of male crash deaths was more than twice the number of female crash deaths. From 1975 to 2022, crash deaths among males decreased by about 6%, while those among females decreased by almost 1%.

Based on analysis of data from FARS and the National Household Travel Survey covering April 2016 to March 2017, the involvement of male drivers in fatal crashes in that period in relation to the distance they traveled per 100 million miles driven was 63% higher than for female drivers, accounting for a difference of 2.1 to 1.3, respectively. Female drivers aged 16-29 had noticeably lower rates than their male counterparts, although differences between the sexes were less pronounced among drivers 30 years and older. Sex differences were most considerable among drivers aged 20-29. 

How Many Accidents Happen a Day?

Approximately 6 million car accidents occur every year within U.S. borders, at an average of about 16,500 each day. This figure is an epitome that requires one to employ defensive driving and adhere to road traffic regulations. The most common wrecks entail billions of payments annually directed at medical fees, legal fees, property damage, and wage loss.

In this respect, driver safety-jacket activities such as minimizing distractions, observing speed limits, and maintaining the car’s safety features have been credited with giving luck and conscience a fighting chance to reduce the rates of accident occurrence and the disastrous consequences.

Where Do Most Crashes Happen?

Most of these crashes happen in urban areas, particularly at intersections. In Chicago, the high-traffic general regions include the Dan Ryan Expressway and Lake Shore Drive. There are frequent accidents reported on those sites due to the congestion and impatience of drivers. Densely populated intersections with high volumes of pedestrian crossers, such as those in downtown Chicago, are particularly hazardous. Distracted driving, improper lane changes, and frequent stopping and going altogether raise the chances of a crash. These issues need to be mitigated through strategic city planning and improved traffic signals.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Accidents

Pedestrians and bicyclists are still the most vulnerable road users. GHSA projects that 7,318 pedestrian fatalities in 2023, which is reflecting a 5.4% decrease from 7,737 in 2022; this accounts for 419 fewer deaths. This total, however, is 14.1% higher than the 6,412 deaths recorded in 2019. Improving infrastructure and raising drivers’ awareness is necessary because crosswalk incidents and bike lane accidents are rampant in Chicago.

Incidents in crosswalks and accidents with bike lanes are too frequent in Chicago. More needs to be done from an infrastructure improvement standpoint, as well as the driver’s awareness of the existence of the driver. One could improve and mitigate some of these risks with improved crosswalk lighting, further creation of bike lanes, and a public awareness campaign on sharing the road. In addition, the promise held out by the Vision Zero strategies to reduce pedestrian deaths bears evidence to prove that comprehensive safety measures work.

Most Common Causes of Fatal Accidents Among Teenagers

Distraction, speeding, and impairment are among the significant reasons why a lot of teenagers have died on the road. In fact, NHTSA reported that these hazardous actions are higher in teens due to their lack of experience and predisposition for increased risk when driving.

Moreover, it has been shown that teenagers using a mobile phone are four times more likely to crash. Furthermore, parental support and educational programs conducted in high schools and community centers provide a great deal of support. Teaching safe driving modes at a young age and graduated licensing systems should greatly minimize such risks. 

Weather-Related Car Accidents

There are high accident risks associated with snow, sleet, and rain. First among the months with the highest recorded collision rates in Illinois is winter, causatively on untreated roads or black-ice-covered roads. Roads become most dangerous very early in the morning or late at night when temperatures drop below freezing, as they cause patches of ice to form and go undetected. Regular maintenance, like replacing worn tires with good treads, stopping for regular checks and wipers, and, most importantly, driving slowly during bad weather conditions, can save countless lives. For safe driving, other drivers should also remember to increase distance from other cars and slow down during snow and icy weather conditions. 

Lives Saved by Safety Devices

The NHTSA reports that, so far, seatbelt use in the U.S. has reached 91.9% in 2023, showing that, in general, people are aware of their lifesaving value. In fact, according to an estimation, seat belts saved approximately 14,955 lives in 2017. The research also illustrates that there were 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants who were fatally injured in traffic crashes during 2022, approximately 50%, using the known rates of seatbelt use.

Buckling-up laws in Illinois for all occupants of a motor vehicle have brought up the compliance rate above 90%, therefore further improving road safety.

Car Accident Interesting Facts

• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,  the societal cost of motor vehicle crashes in America is $340 billion for 2019.
• With design improvements and enhanced stability systems developed over the years, SUVs are less likely statistically to roll over in accidents compared with smaller vehicles.
• While urban areas are associated with high-volume and congested traffic and thus tend to have more crashes, the fatality rate is often higher in rural areas because of more incredible speeds and longer response times.
• The average driver will be in three to four car crashes in their lifetime, so the best defense is never to let your guard down behind the wheel.
• Since first developed in the 1970s, airbags have saved thousands of lives. In conjunction with seat belts, they reduce fatalities in frontal crash incidents by as much as 45 percent.
• Car accidents are already the number one cause of death worldwide among people aged between 5 and 29 years, according to the World Health Organization, further indicating that the struggle for improvement in road safety is highly universal.

What Are the Chances of Dying in a Car Crash?

The lifetime odds of dying in one car crash are 1 in 101. Traffic fatalities could be dramatically reduced using safe driving, such as driving without distraction, wearing seat belts, or maintaining vehicle upkeep. The following speed limits and steering clear of impaired driving do even more to keep people safe and avoid unnecessary deaths.

When Was the First Car Accident?

The first recorded automobile crash occurred in 1891 in Ohio when James Lambert’s gasoline-powered buggy collided with a tree root and hitching post. This small crash raised early concerns about road safety and the more modern need for vehicle design and infrastructure, foreshadowing the modern safety standards of today. 

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One of the overwhelming things that may happen to you is a car accident. At Malman Law, we understand what you are going through. Call us today at 1-888-625-6265 for professional legal advice and support. We are here to guide you through the process of your case and get you the compensation you deserve.