Traffic collisions are a fact of life on busy Fresno streets and highways. Often, they involve fender damage and some rattled nerves, but unfortunately, in the worst cases, accidents can rob families of their loved ones.
Maison Law of Fresno examined the numbers behind fatal car accidents in Fresno and other major California cities. It’s an attempt to remind motorists of the toll that careless and reckless driving can take on a victim’s family, friends, and community.
How Many Fatal Car Accidents Occur in Fresno Each Year?
Over the past five years (2019-2023) Fresno has averaged 60 traffic deaths annually. In 2023, the latest figures available, our city saw a decline in deadly crashes with 41 tragic cases reported. That’s according to California’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). That comes after several years of fatality totals being in the upper 60s or in the 70s.
- Overall, Fresno County documented 126 lives taken in vehicle accidents in 2023. That’s down from a shocking 206 fatalities in 2022.
- KSEE-TV reported that Fresno County ranked 10th on a national study ordering the U.S. counties with the highest death rates. The survey pointed out that Highway 180 was the scene of 55 fatal crashes between 2017 and 2021. The highway was identified as Fresno County’s most deadly route.
Where Does Fresno Rank for Fatal Accidents When Compared to Other Cities?
Fresno ranks high on fatality rates when compared to other large California cities. Fresno was 6th on a list of the cities with the most traffic deaths in the state in 2023. Fresno ranked 5th on a similar list in 2022.
Los Angeles, because of its sheer size and population, will always lead in traffic tragedies. Fresno’s 41 deaths ranked behind Bakersfield, but our city saw more fatal accidents than places like San Jose, Riverside, and San Francisco.
What Leads to Fatal Accidents in Fresno?
Many of the mistakes drivers make on the road or even before they get behind the wheel contribute to the high fatality rates each year. People who travel the wrong way down highways can cause life-threatening head-on collisions. People looking at cell phones can veer across yellow lines to cause a head-on impact.
- Head-on collisions were responsible for at least 49 traffic deaths between 2022 and 2023 in Fresno County. That’s according to California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS).
Drivers who engage in street racing also contribute to the heartbreaking deaths on city streets. Drowsy drivers who get on the long, straight rural roads around Fresno, can dose off and also spark frightening collisions.
Impaired drivers are another major threat to the lives of Fresno drivers. SWITRS documented at least 11 deaths involving alcohol in 2023. Another four deaths were blamed on drivers who were under the influence of an illegal or prescription drug.
Cellphones are present in almost every car on Fresno streets and they’ve brought a certain level of distraction to almost every trip. Victims can be texting with friends, watching videos, or searching for music when they ram another vehicle at full speed.
In 2023, Law Enforcement Officers blamed at least 10 traffic deaths in Fresno on distracted driving. Of course, the number of distracted driving accidents are likely very under-represented because drivers who cause accidents don’t always admit when their distraction caused a dangerous impact.
- SafeTrec finds that California suffered at least 140 deaths due to distracted driving.
- SafeTrec also reports that the U.S. recorded 3,522 heartbreaking deaths due to unfocused drivers.
How Many Fatal Accidents Does California Record Each Year?
Over a recent 5-year span (2019-2023), California averaged just over 4,000 car accident fatalities a year.
California saw a welcome decline in fatal accident reports in 2023. The state recorded 3,560 tragic roadway fatalities. That ends a frightening build-up of deadly incidents that started during the pandemic year of 2020. We will have to wait for 2024 fatal accident statistics to be released to see if this positive trend continues.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that California had the most highway deaths out of all 50 states in 2022. California was just ahead of Texas.
- The IIHS found that California was second in deadly accidents involving multiple vehicles. Our state only trailed Texas.
- California also was the state with the second most fatal accident victims who weren’t wearing seatbelts. Again, trailing only Texas.
Hope for Fresno Motorists
After a brief look at the toll fatal accidents take on the Fresno community, we hope every driver will recommit to driving safely and showing caution to others who use the roads. This is one of the few changes that will make a real difference when future accident numbers are finally tallied.
If your loved one becomes the victim of a driver’s carelessness, don’t wait to seek legal help. Take advantage of a free consultation with a Fresno Fatal Car Accident Lawyer to find out what you should be demanding in support for your family.
Maison Law works closely with families to make sure insurance companies provide them with everything they need to pay for funeral costs and remaining medical bills. Families should also expect help in the future when the income the victim may have provided will no longer be available.
