Charlotte, NC Car Accident Statistics

Unfortunately, car accidents are a daily occurrence on roadways in the United States and all over the world. The city of Charlotte and North Carolina as a whole are not immune to crashes. In order to keep yourself and your family safe on the road, it is important to familiarize yourself with Charlotte, NC, car accident statistics. Information is power when it comes to motor vehicle safety.

Why Choose Steven T. Meier, PLLC?

At Steven T. Meier, PLLC, we’ve been representing car accident victims for over 20 years. We understand the hardship you face after a car accident, and we know how to negotiate for the compensation you need. Contact us now if you’ve been involved in a crash.

Car Accident Statistics in the United States

In the United States, many of us depend on cars to go to work, travel, and live our daily lives. There are over 243 million licensed drivers in the country. With that many people on the road, accidents are bound to happen. In 2023, the most recent year for which there is a complete data set, there were over 6 million car accidents reported to the police in the United States.

In those 6 million accidents, around 2.4 million people sustained injuries, and there were almost 41,000 fatalities. Alcohol was a factor in the crash for around 12,400 of those fatalities. While these numbers are staggering, 2023 actually saw a decrease in traffic fatalities compared to 2022.

Car Accident Statistics in Charlotte, North Carolina

In 2023, there were more than 284,000 car accidents in North Carolina. Of those, almost 33,000 happened in the city of Charlotte. This stands to reason, as Charlotte is a large city of over 943,000 people, and it is the largest city in North Carolina. It is, however, interesting to note that Charlotte represents less than 10% of North Carolina’s population, but more than 10% of the reported car accidents in the state happened in the city.

There are several possible reasons for this. The first consideration is that Charlotte is simply an area with a higher population density than most of the rest of the state. A lot of people close together leads to more potential for collisions. Another potential contributing factor is the presence of more large trucks in and around Charlotte. As a major urban area, Charlotte sees a lot of truck traffic. Large trucks are a risk factor for collisions, especially during inclement weather.

In terms of injuries and fatalities, over half of Charlotte’s reported collisions in 2023 involved a fatality or an injury. There were a total of 105 car accident deaths and over 16,000 injuries in Charlotte in that year.

What Causes Most Accidents in North Carolina?

Car accidents are often caused by several contributing factors at once, but there are some leading causes of note:

• Alcohol: In 2023, North Carolina recorded an average of one alcohol-related car accident fatality every 42 minutes. In an even more staggering statistic, alcohol was involved in about 25% of child roadway fatalities.
• Speeding: Speeding was a contributing factor in 11,775 of the recorded fatalities in North Carolina.
• Distracted drivers: Distracted driving, in one form or another, was a contributing factor in almost 48,000 crashes in North Carolina in 2023.

These statistics show that speeding, distracted driving, and driving while intoxicated are major contributors to car accidents and risk factors for injuries or fatalities. You can keep yourself and others safe by obeying traffic laws, putting your phone down while you’re driving, and getting a ride home if you’ve been drinking.

What to Do if You Are in an Accident

If you are in an accident in Charlotte, the most important thing to do is seek medical attention if you need it. You should call the police to report the accident if a bystander has not already done so. The next thing to do is get insurance information from the other driver, if applicable. You can use that information to file a claim with their insurance company after the accident.

If there are witnesses around, it is also a good idea to get their names and contact information in case you need statements from them about what happened. Finally, and especially if you sustained injuries in the accident, you should hire a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies do what they can to avoid paying full compensation. An attorney can help you get a settlement that actually covers your injuries.

FAQs

How Many Car Accidents Happen Each Day in Charlotte?

In 2024, there were 125,013 crashes in Charlotte. This is the most recent complete data set available. If you average that number over one year, the figure comes out to approximately 342 accidents per day. Keep in mind that this number encompasses all reported accidents, not just those resulting in injuries or fatalities.

Which State Has the Highest Car Accident Rate?

The state with the highest car accident rate in the U.S. is Massachusetts. In Massachusetts, 8.1% of drivers have been involved in an at-fault accident. North Carolina ranks fifth in the nation. Of North Carolina drivers, 6.1% have been in an at-fault accident. The state with the lowest rate is Michigan, at 2.6%.

Is North Carolina an At-Fault State for Car Accidents?

Yes, North Carolina is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means that in the event of a car accident, the insurance company of the driver deemed responsible for the crash must pay damages for both drivers. If there are damages beyond what the insurance company covers, the at-fault driver themselves can be held liable.

What Damages Can a Car Accident Victim Be Awarded?

If a victim files a personal injury claim as a result of a car accident, the damages awarded could include the cost of medical care, both immediate and ongoing, lost wages, pain and suffering, and psychological trauma. Your personal injury attorney can help you fully understand your case and what your compensation should cover.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer – Contact Steven T. Meier, PLLC

If you have been injured in a car accident caused by another driver, Steven T. Meier, PLLC, can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today for a consultation.