California Car Accident Statistics [2025]

Nearly 500,000 car crashes occur annually on California roads, impacting thousands of lives across the state. Beyond physical injuries, these accidents inflict emotional and financial burdens that affect families and communities.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash, dealing with the aftermath is a challenging journey. Having a clear understanding of California's current accident trends and liability laws is the first step toward recovery.

California’s roads are busy, and despite safety efforts, accidents continue to affect thousands. Preliminary data show promising declines but also highlight ongoing risks:

In 2024, California saw 164,123 total car crashes, resulting in 3,807 fatalities- representing a 6.3% decrease in fatalities from the previous year. This marked the lowest number of fatalities recorded since 2019, a promising sign that safety initiatives and improved infrastructure may be yielding positive results. Despite this decline, the number of injuries and property-damaging accidents remains a major concern, indicating that while fatalities are down, the severity and frequency of crashes are still significant.

Despite these positive trends, the reality of California’s road safety remains staggering. According to the NHTSA, the state experiences an average of 1,370 crashes per day. This highlights the continuing widespread nature of the problem, with thousands of incidents occurring daily across urban and rural areas alike. While some crashes result in minor damage, others are life-altering, underscoring the urgent need for continued education, infrastructure improvements, and policy enforcement to mitigate the risks on the road.

Car accidents in California are often a result of various factors, from driver behavior to road conditions. Understanding these primary causes is crucial for reducing accidents and improving road safety.

Here are some of the most common contributors to car accidents in the state.

In 2024, speeding played a significant role in 77,822 accidents in California and was a contributing factor in 26% of all fatal crashes. Reckless driving, including behaviors like tailgating, aggressive lane changes, and disregarding traffic signals, led to 2,251 fatalities.

The combination of excessive speed and reckless behavior is one of the deadliest risks on California’s roads, especially on highways and busy urban streets where high-speed driving is more common. These actions not only endanger the driver but also pose significant risks to other road users.

Impaired driving remains one of the top causes of traffic accidents in California. In 2024, nearly 30,000 crashes were linked to impaired drivers, with alcohol-related incidents accounting for 26,361 accidents - representing 29% of all road fatalities. Drug-impaired driving contributed to 2,271 crashes. With the increase in both recreational marijuana use and prescription drug abuse, impaired driving continues to be a significant concern. Efforts to reduce impaired driving include stricter laws, sobriety checkpoints, and public awareness campaigns, but the danger remains prevalent, especially at night and during holiday weekends when alcohol consumption spikes.

Distracted driving is another leading cause of accidents in California. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), distracted drivers caused 10,198 crashes in 2024, contributing to 6.2% of all collisions. Of these, 12% involved drivers using their phones, whether for texting, browsing social media, or making calls.

Distracted driving is a growing issue, exacerbated by the rise in smartphone usage and in-car technologies that divert attention from the road. Even brief distractions can lead to devastating accidents, particularly when drivers are navigating high-traffic areas or making critical decisions at intersections.

Certain groups of people and specific areas are more vulnerable to car accidents in California. Identifying who is most at risk and where these accidents are most likely to occur is essential for targeted prevention efforts.

NSC data shows drivers aged 25-34 were involved in the highest percentage of collisions in 2024, accounting for 26.2% of all incidents.

This age group is particularly prone to accidents due to factors like inexperience, risk-taking behaviors, and distractions. Additionally, young drivers between 18-24 also face a high incidence of crashes, contributing to the overall higher risk of accidents among younger motorists.

In 2024-2025, California saw a disturbing number of casualties among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. The state recorded 12,085 pedestrian casualties, 9,852 cyclist injuries, and 12,156 motorcyclist casualties. Although pedestrian accidents saw a slight decline, they still accounted for 950 deaths, highlighting the dangers faced by non-motorized road users.

Vulnerable road users, particularly those in urban areas and busy intersections, are disproportionately affected by high-speed traffic, distracted driving, and inadequate infrastructure to ensure their safety.

Los Angeles remains the epicenter of traffic accidents in California, with a staggering 11,120 crashes recorded in 2024 alone. Known for its dense population, sprawling urban environment, and notorious traffic congestion, the city contributes significantly to the state’s traffic accident statistics.

Contributing factors include lengthy daily commutes, aggressive driving behaviors, and frequent road construction projects that disrupt traffic flow. California's high fatality rates, ranking second behind Texas, reflect the compounded impact of these factors in urban centers like Los Angeles. The city's efforts to improve traffic safety are ongoing, but it remains a high-risk zone for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.

Understanding California's car accident and liability laws is crucial for anyone involved in a collision. The following are the fundamental principles that govern these cases:

• California is an at-fault state:
  Under Vehicle Code § 17150, a driver is legally responsible for the damages they cause, including medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
• Comparative fault impacts your recovery:
  Under Civil Code § 1431.2, California applies the "pure comparative negligence" rule. This means if you are found partially at fault, your compensation is reduced by that percentage, even if it is as little as 1%.
• Negligence is the core legal standard:
  To recover compensation, you must prove that the other driver breached a duty of care, directly causing your injuries. This is based on California’s general negligence doctrine, not a specific statute, but it governs nearly every car accident case.
• Reporting requirements:
  Under California Vehicle Code § 16000, if the accident caused injuries or property damage over $1000, you must report it to the DMV within 10 days using Form SR-1.
• Owners can be liable for another driver’s actions:
  If someone else was driving the car that hit you, the owner may still be responsible under Vehicle Code § 17150, which holds vehicle owners liable for damages caused with their permission.

New Laws and Updates for 2025:

While the core principles are unchanged, new laws have been introduced in 2025 that affect car accidents and liability:

• Increase in Minimum Insurance Coverage (Senate Bill 1107):
  Starting in 2025, the minimum required auto insurance liability coverage is raised to $30,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $60,000 for bodily injury or death per accident, and $15,000 for property damage, according to the California Department of Insurance.
• Daylighting Law (Assembly Bill 413):
  A new law has been enacted, establishing Vehicle Code, CVC 22500(n). This section prohibits stopping, standing, or parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk, aiming to improve pedestrian visibility and reduce accidents.
• Locked Door Loophole (Senate Bill 905):
  This law clarifies that forced entry into a vehicle is considered auto burglary, even if the doors were unlocked. While not directly related to accident liability, it is an important update for vehicle owners' protection.

If you or someone you care about was hurt in a car accident in Southern or Central California, you don’t have to face the legal consequences alone.

Our dedicated car accident attorneys at Blair & Ramirez LLP understand the emotional and legal complexities you face. We offer a free case evaluation to help you understand your legal position and explore your options.

Your rights and your recovery matter. Contact us today!