The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that your chances of dying in a car crash in the U.S. over your lifetime is around 1 in 93. In comparison, you have a 1 in 98 chance of dying in a fall. The odds of being killed by fire or smoke are 1 in 1,287.
Unfortunately, there are more traffic accidents in California than in almost any other state. That equates to a higher chance of a tragic end for everyone who ventures out on freeways and boulevards. Hopefully, taking a look at the frequency of California fatal accidents each year and the odds you may be in one can remind us to take more care on local roads.
CA Car Accident Fatality Statistics
The odds of dying while driving to work, to school, or to the store aren’t encouraging. Most Americans have to accept these highway risks to support their families and to go out and get groceries to feed their children.
The chances of deadly accidents are chilling. However, living in a state that’s well-known for certain risks can only boost these dangerous odds. That’s true of California and it’s notoriously reckless traffic. The dangers along busy freeways get worse each year, leading to more chances for local residents to be drawn into major collisions.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that there were 4,285 victims who lost their lives in California car accidents in 2021. That number jumped almost 3% in 2022 to an estimated 4,407 dead.
That figure was just behind Texas’ numbers in 2022. It was the state with the most recorded loss of life due to car accidents. Overall, researchers reported there were almost 43,000 fatalities on U.S. roads in 2022. We await the final numbers for 2023 to see if any improvement has been made in the last year.
California recorded 1.35 deaths per 100 million Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) in 2022. Florida has a fatality rate of 1.53. Texas loses 1.55 lives per 100 Million VMT.
U.S. Fatal Accident Numbers
The CDC confirms that car accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States and in California. Nationally, there was an average of almost 37,000 deaths a year between 2015 and 2019.
The NHTSA estimates that 42,795 lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2022. That shocking statistic is just below 2021’s total of 42,939 fatalities. We are still awaiting official accident data totals from 2023 to see where the trend is heading.
The NHTSA data just how much three states including California contribute to the overall national total of precious lives lost. This accident rate chart also shows how the rates changed from 2021 to 2022 for every state.
Red: 2022
Blue:2021
Of course, there are more than just cars on the road. We face life-threatening risks when we hop on a bike or take a walk along a busy street.
Your chances over a lifetime of dying as a…
Pedestrian 1 in 485
Motorcyclist 1 in 747
Bicyclist 1 in 3,546
Support for Families After Losing a Loved One in a California Traffic Accident
Many families don’t know that they can seek damages after the loss of a loved one in a car accident. A wrongful death claim is filed against the at-fault driver’s car insurance provider. This civil claim asks for substantial support to protect the family from financial harm in the years ahead.
After a tragic death, families are dealt more than just an emotional blow. They might lose out on income the deceased would have continued to provide to a spouse or children over a lifetime. Those left behind also miss out on the guidance and love that is no longer available in the years ahead. This is especially tough when a child must grow up without being able to turn to a parent for support and advice during uncertain times in their lives.
Nothing can replace the care a loved one had always provided, but families should seek wrongful death benefits in order to make sure they can carry on with their lives without additional financial worries. Families should receive help with basic things like the cost of a funeral and paying any medical bills that remain.
Finding Support for Families After a Tragic California Accident
If you lose a loved one in a tragic accident caused by a careless driver, make sure the at-fault driver’s insurance company is held fully accountable. That accountability should include support to help you and your family members rebuild their lives after such a difficult loss.
Talk to an experienced California car accident lawyer about your case in a free consultation session before deciding on your next move. This case review comes with no obligation. If you decide we can help you earn more for your family through a wrongful death claim, you won’t need to have any money to hire us. We don’t get paid unless we win your case for your family members. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check a car insurance company provides.
