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Auto Accident / 10.18.2021

Virginia Car Accident Statistics: One of the Most Dangerous Driving States

Reckless Driving and Operating Negligence Result in Countless Injuries Each Year

Over 100,000 car accidents happen every year in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The tragedy is that many of these crashes are preventable. If you are injured or have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence or reckless driving, you deserve compensation.

At Coletrane & Messersmith, we represent individuals who have suffered unimaginable harm as the result of another person’s wrongdoing. We fight to recover the maximum compensation for car accident victims throughout Virginia. If you or a family member has been injured in a car crash, contact our office at (757) 530-5273 to book a free consultation.

How Many People Die in Car Accidents in Virginia?

According to the 2020 Annual Report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 847 were killed in traffic accidents in the state last year. On average, 2.3 lives are lost per day as a result of car crashes.

As noted in the annual report on traffic accidents in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

  • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people 5-19 years old (CDC).
  • Distracted driving accounted for 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes (Virginia Tech Transportation Institution).
  • In 2020, 72 people between the ages of 16 and 19 died in traffic crashes.
  • Last year, 117 pedestrians and 8 bicyclists were killed on Virginia roadways.

Driver negligence accounts for the vast majority of fatal car accidents. Actions like speeding and driving under the influence claim far too many lives. Last year, 272 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents alone, accounting for 32.1% of all traffic fatalities. 

How Often Are People Injured in Car Accidents in Virginia?

Research conducted by the Virginia Highway Safety Office and Department of Motor Vehicles shows that there were over 52,000 injuries related to traffic accidents last year. The 2020 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts reveal that one crash occurs every 5 minutes on Virginia roadways.

Injury-related Virginia traffic crash facts last year:

  • 144 people are injured in car accidents every day in the Commonwealth;
  • 659 cyclists and 1,466 pedestrians were injured;
  • 82% of crashes occur on non-interstate roads;
  • More injury-related accidents happened over the Labor Day weekend compared to other major holidays; and
  • Speed accounted for 21/9% of all traffic injuries.

Virginia is routinely ranked as one of the most dangerous states for driving in the country. Speeding, driving while impaired, and other traffic violations are key reasons that make Commonwealth roads and highways unsafe.

Why Is Virginia Such a Dangerous Driving State?

2020 study by Insurify ranked Virginia as the 5th most dangerous state for driving. Their findings indicate that nearly 30% of Commonwealth drivers had at least one traffic incident.

The insurer took into consideration the number of Virginia drivers with:

  • Speeding tickets (Nearly 16% of Virginia drivers had a speeding ticket)
  • At-fault accidents (12.28% of drivers had at least one at-fault accident)
  • DUI citations (1.88% of drivers had a DUI violation)

With a total incident rate of 29.78%, Virginia ranked behind Ohio, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Nebraska for “Most Dangerous States for Driving.” Research conducted by the insurer the year before found that Virginia had the highest rates of reckless drivers nationwide.

What Are the Leading Causes of Traffic Accidents in Virginia?

While car crashes can happen for any number of reasons, most are caused by some sort of negligence. Few people realize how a quick glance at your phone or driving over the speed limit can have catastrophic results. 

Car accidents are frequently caused by:

  • Driving while impaired or driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Speeding
  • Following Too Closely
  • Improper lane change
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driver distraction
  • Failure to yield

Not all car crashes are the result of operator negligence. In some cases, the accident may have been caused by other factors such as unsafe road designs or mechanical failures. If you are injured in a crash, you should consult with a Virginia car accident lawyer to help determine if you are entitled to compensation.

How Many People Are Injured or Killed in Alcohol-Related Crashes in Virginia?

Last year, alcohol-related crashes made up 6.3% of all traffic accidents in the Commonwealth. While the total number of alcohol-related crashes (6,624) represented a decrease from the year before, there was a 3% increase in the number of those killed.

In 2020, Alcohol-related crashes resulted in:

  • 254 fatal crashes;
  • 2,718 injury crashes;
  • 272 people killed; and
  • 3,986 total injuries.

Of the nearly 4,000 people injured in alcohol-related crashes, 1,031 people were seriously injured, accounting for 15.2% of all traffic-related serious injuries. 

How Many People Are Injured or Killed in Speed-Related Crashes in Virginia?

Speed was a factor in over 21% of all crashes in the Commonwealth of Virginia last year. Over 400 people were killed, and 11,000 people were injured in speed-related crashes. 21 to 25-year-olds were the most likely to speed, followed closely by drivers 26 to 30 years old.

Last year in Virginia, speeding resulted in:

  • 22,479 crashes, including 374 fatal crashes and 7,561 injury crashes;
  • 406 traffic fatalities, nearly 48% of all traffic fatalities in the state;
  • 310 driver deaths, 67 passenger deaths, and 29 pedestrian deaths;
  • 11,528 traffic injuries, representing 21.9% of all traffic-related serious; and
  • 2,263 serious injuries or 33.3% of all serious traffic injuries.

Speed-related fatalities were more likely to happen on non-interstate roads in the Commonwealth and were almost evenly split between single and multi-vehicle accidents.

Get the Dedicated Advocacy You Deserve After a Car Accident

Nothing can truly prepare you for an unexpected injury or death in the family. We know how challenging it can be after a car crash, which is why we give every client the personalized representation that they need. Our results-oriented legal team will fight hard to get you the largest recovery possible. 

If you have been injured in a car accident, call Virginia’s Premier Injury Firm, Coletrane & Messersmith, today for a free consultation. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees unless we win. Contact our office at (757) 530-5273 today to speak directly with one of our experienced team members.

Reckless Driving and Operating Negligence Result in Countless Injuries Each Year

Over 100,000 car accidents happen every year in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The tragedy is that many of these crashes are preventable. If you are injured or have lost a loved one due to another person’s negligence or reckless driving, you deserve compensation.

At Coletrane & Messersmith, we represent individuals who have suffered unimaginable harm as the result of another person’s wrongdoing. We fight to recover the maximum compensation for car accident victims throughout Virginia. If you or a family member has been injured in a car crash, contact our office at (757) 530-5273 to book a free consultation.

How Many People Die in Car Accidents in Virginia?

According to the 2020 Annual Report from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, 847 were killed in traffic accidents in the state last year. On average, 2.3 lives are lost per day as a result of car crashes.

As noted in the annual report on traffic accidents in the Commonwealth of Virginia:

  • Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for people 5-19 years old (CDC).
  • Distracted driving accounted for 80% of crashes and 65% of near-crashes (Virginia Tech Transportation Institution).
  • In 2020, 72 people between the ages of 16 and 19 died in traffic crashes.
  • Last year, 117 pedestrians and 8 bicyclists were killed on Virginia roadways.

Driver negligence accounts for the vast majority of fatal car accidents. Actions like speeding and driving under the influence claim far too many lives. Last year, 272 people were killed in alcohol-related accidents alone, accounting for 32.1% of all traffic fatalities. 

How Often Are People Injured in Car Accidents in Virginia?

Research conducted by the Virginia Highway Safety Office and Department of Motor Vehicles shows that there were over 52,000 injuries related to traffic accidents last year. The 2020 Virginia Traffic Crash Facts reveal that one crash occurs every 5 minutes on Virginia roadways.

Injury-related Virginia traffic crash facts last year:

  • 144 people are injured in car accidents every day in the Commonwealth;
  • 659 cyclists and 1,466 pedestrians were injured;
  • 82% of crashes occur on non-interstate roads;
  • More injury-related accidents happened over the Labor Day weekend compared to other major holidays; and
  • Speed accounted for 21/9% of all traffic injuries.

Virginia is routinely ranked as one of the most dangerous states for driving in the country. Speeding, driving while impaired, and other traffic violations are key reasons that make Commonwealth roads and highways unsafe.

Why Is Virginia Such a Dangerous Driving State?

2020 study by Insurify ranked Virginia as the 5th most dangerous state for driving. Their findings indicate that nearly 30% of Commonwealth drivers had at least one traffic incident.

The insurer took into consideration the number of Virginia drivers with:

  • Speeding tickets (Nearly 16% of Virginia drivers had a speeding ticket)
  • At-fault accidents (12.28% of drivers had at least one at-fault accident)
  • DUI citations (1.88% of drivers had a DUI violation)

With a total incident rate of 29.78%, Virginia ranked behind Ohio, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Nebraska for “Most Dangerous States for Driving.” Research conducted by the insurer the year before found that Virginia had the highest rates of reckless drivers nationwide.

What Are the Leading Causes of Traffic Accidents in Virginia?

While car crashes can happen for any number of reasons, most are caused by some sort of negligence. Few people realize how a quick glance at your phone or driving over the speed limit can have catastrophic results. 

Car accidents are frequently caused by:

  • Driving while impaired or driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Speeding
  • Following Too Closely
  • Improper lane change
  • Aggressive driving
  • Driver distraction
  • Failure to yield

Not all car crashes are the result of operator negligence. In some cases, the accident may have been caused by other factors such as unsafe road designs or mechanical failures. If you are injured in a crash, you should consult with a Virginia car accident lawyer to help determine if you are entitled to compensation.

How Many People Are Injured or Killed in Alcohol-Related Crashes in Virginia?

Last year, alcohol-related crashes made up 6.3% of all traffic accidents in the Commonwealth. While the total number of alcohol-related crashes (6,624) represented a decrease from the year before, there was a 3% increase in the number of those killed.

In 2020, Alcohol-related crashes resulted in:

  • 254 fatal crashes;
  • 2,718 injury crashes;
  • 272 people killed; and
  • 3,986 total injuries.

Of the nearly 4,000 people injured in alcohol-related crashes, 1,031 people were seriously injured, accounting for 15.2% of all traffic-related serious injuries. 

How Many People Are Injured or Killed in Speed-Related Crashes in Virginia?

Speed was a factor in over 21% of all crashes in the Commonwealth of Virginia last year. Over 400 people were killed, and 11,000 people were injured in speed-related crashes. 21 to 25-year-olds were the most likely to speed, followed closely by drivers 26 to 30 years old.

Last year in Virginia, speeding resulted in:

  • 22,479 crashes, including 374 fatal crashes and 7,561 injury crashes;
  • 406 traffic fatalities, nearly 48% of all traffic fatalities in the state;
  • 310 driver deaths, 67 passenger deaths, and 29 pedestrian deaths;
  • 11,528 traffic injuries, representing 21.9% of all traffic-related serious; and
  • 2,263 serious injuries or 33.3% of all serious traffic injuries.

Speed-related fatalities were more likely to happen on non-interstate roads in the Commonwealth and were almost evenly split between single and multi-vehicle accidents.

Get the Dedicated Advocacy You Deserve After a Car Accident

Nothing can truly prepare you for an unexpected injury or death in the family. We know how challenging it can be after a car crash, which is why we give every client the personalized representation that they need. Our results-oriented legal team will fight hard to get you the largest recovery possible. 

If you have been injured in a car accident, call Virginia’s Premier Injury Firm, Coletrane & Messersmith, today for a free consultation. We accept cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees unless we win. Contact our office at (757) 530-5273 today to speak directly with one of our experienced team members.

If you have been injured contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call (757) 821-6832 to discuss your legal options. Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win.

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If you have been injured, contact our office for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call (757) 821-6949 to discuss your legal options. Cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees unless we win.

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