Car accidents happen every day, but most people don’t realize how widespread, and deadly they really are. Even with advances in vehicle safety, driver-assist technology, and public awareness, the numbers remain alarming.

These 35 shocking statistics highlight just how common crashes are, who they affect, what causes them, and why safe driving matters more than ever.

General Crash Statistics in the U.S.

  1. More than 40,000 people die in U.S. traffic crashes every year.
    According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 2023 saw around 40,990 traffic fatalities.
  2. That’s about 112 lives lost every day.
  3. Over 2.3 million people are injured in car accidents annually.
    These injuries range from minor whiplash to life-altering brain and spinal trauma.
  4. In 2022, there was a crash reported every 15 seconds in the U.S.
  5. The economic cost of car accidents exceeds $340 billion a year.
     This includes emergency care, lost productivity, insurance payouts, and more.
  1. South Carolina ranks in the top 10 states for traffic deaths per capita.
  2. Georgia reported more than 1,800 traffic deaths in 2023, including over 300 pedestrian fatalities.
  3. I-20, I-26, and I-95 are among the deadliest highways in both states.
  4. Nearly 1 in 3 fatal crashes in SC and GA involve alcohol.
  5. In both states, Saturday is the deadliest day to drive.

Leading Causes of Accidents

  1. Speeding contributes to over 25% of all traffic fatalities.
  2. Distracted driving is responsible for more than 3,000 deaths each year.
  3. Texting while driving increases crash risk by 23 times.
  4. Drowsy driving causes an estimated 100,000 crashes per year.
  5. Improper lane changes, failure to yield, and following too closely are common crash factors.

Drunk and Impaired Driving

  1. About 37 people die every day in the U.S. in drunk driving crashes.
    That’s one death every 39 minutes.
  2. In 2022, 13,524 people were killed in DUI-related crashes.
  3. 25% of all South Carolina crash deaths in 2023 involved alcohol.
  4. A driver with a BAC of 0.08% is 4x more likely to crash.
  5. Drunk driving fatalities are highest between midnight and 3 a.m.

Motorcycle and Pedestrian Risks

  1. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants.
  2. Over 5,900 motorcyclists were killed in the U.S. in 2021 the highest number ever recorded.
  3. In South Carolina, 15% of all traffic deaths involve motorcyclists.
  4. Pedestrian deaths topped 7,500 in 2022 the most in over 40 years.
  5. Most pedestrian fatalities occur at night and in poorly lit areas.

Teen Drivers and High-Risk Groups

  1. Drivers aged 16–19 are 3x more likely to be in a fatal crash than drivers 20 and older.
  2. More than 2,800 teens were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
  3. Newly licensed teen drivers are at the highest risk in their first 6 months on the road.
  4. Men are involved in 72% of fatal crashes.
  5. Drivers over 75 also have higher fatality rates due to increased fragility and slower reaction times.

Seat Belts, Safety, and Prevention

  1. Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017 alone.
  2. Still, nearly 50% of people killed in car crashes weren’t wearing a seatbelt.
  3. Passengers not wearing seatbelts in the back seat double the risk of killing a belted driver in a crash.
  4. 91.9% of drivers in the U.S. wear seatbelts, according to NHTSA.
  5. States with stricter seatbelt laws have 13% lower fatality rates.

Final Thoughts

Car crashes aren’t just statistics, they’re personal stories of loss, injury, and lives forever changed. The numbers are a wake-up call: distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving continue to put people at risk every day.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Today

Don’t deal with the insurance company on your own. Let us review your case and explain your options for free. At Ted Law Firm, we care about your healing and your future. We proudly help people in Atlanta: Columbus, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Warner Robins, and all of Georgia! We advocate for accident victims across South Carolina and Georgia. When a devastating crash turns your world upside down, you can count on Ted Law Firm to stand by your side and provide the trusted legal support you deserve.

Attorney | Founder at  | Website |  + posts

Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.

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