Louisiana Car Accident Statistics [2024 Updated]

Reviewing Louisiana car accident statistics can give us an idea of what it’s like to drive in the state. Overall, Louisiana has a higher-than-average rate of accidents as well as injuries and deaths associated with these accidents.

Car Crash Accident Statistics

There are several car accidents in Louisiana every day. According to LSUs Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS), a car crash resulting in injuries occurs in Louisiana about once every 15 minutes, and a fatal car crash occurs about once every 12-13 hours.

Louisiana is typically considered above the national average for car accident fatalities based on 2021 data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The national average for fatal crashes in 2021 was 12.9 deaths per 100,000 people in the U.S. In the same year, Louisiana’s amount of fatal crashes resulted in 21 deaths per 100,000 people in the state. Louisiana also tops the charts in drunk driving fatalities, with over 80% of drunk drivers dying in a collision.

Why Do Car Accidents Happen?

There are many different patterns in car accident data, which can give us the main reasons why car accidents happen. These include:

• Substance Abuse: Many Louisiana car accidents occur, in part, due to a driver who is under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Driving under the influence slows your reaction time and makes you less alert to hazards on the road, dramatically increasing your risk of a collision.
• Distracted Driving: While most people think of cell phone use when talking about distracted driving, this involves any type of behavior that impacts your ability to watch your surroundings and react to hazards on the road. Distracted driving also includes eating, making a phone call, doing makeup, and any other task that takes your attention away from driving.
• Speeding: It is unknown whether speeding correlates with more accidents, but it is correlated with a higher frequency of fatalities. In general, the faster a vehicle was going at the time of the collision, the greater the risk of injury and death.
• One Driver: Many people think of collisions with multiple vehicles when they think of car accidents, but there are many accidents that only involve one vehicle. A driver might run off the road and hit something like a barrier or a tree, which can still result in significant property damage and fatalities.
• Location: While car accidents are more common at intersections and parking lots, there is not much difference in accident frequency when comparing rural and urban areas. Even though there is less traffic in rural areas, there are still hazards that drivers must be aware of. Drivers are more likely to let their guard down and engage in distracted driving behaviors and speeding in rural areas, potentially leading to more crashes.

Car accidents can seriously affect yourself and others involved in the event. It is important to drive safely to reduce the risk of serious injuries. For legal assistance in the aftermath of a car accident, contact a personal injury attorney.

Navigating the Aftermath of a Car Accident

If you or a loved one have recently been involved in a car accident, then you know how stressful the process can be. There are usually lots of expenses associated with a car accident, including medical bills and repairs to your car.

It can be easier to receive this compensation by hiring a personal injury attorney. They can work with insurance companies to determine who is at fault in an accident and negotiate a proper settlement amount for your injuries.

In many cases, victims struggle with receiving proper compensation for their injuries. This can be due to an insurance company denying your claim or even offering an insultingly low amount for the injuries you’ve experienced. A car accident attorney can help with these issues and even talk to insurance adjusters on your behalf to reduce the stress of the situation.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Leading Cause of Traffic Collisions in Louisiana?

A: There are several leading causes of traffic collisions in Louisiana. Some of the most common include drivers under the influence of alcohol, poor weather conditions, and distracted driving. These collisions are often more fatal if the individuals involved are not wearing seatbelts or were speeding at the time of the collision. For more information on traffic collisions in Louisiana, contact a car accident attorney.

Q: How Many Car Crash Fatalities Are There in Louisiana?

A: In 2023, there were almost 800 deaths directly related to car accidents in Louisiana. These include drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Many of these fatalities are directly related to a driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol or individuals involved in the collisions not wearing seatbelts. Louisiana is generally above the national average when considering car crash fatalities.

Q: What Is the Biggest Factor in Car Accidents?

A: One of the biggest factors in car accidents is distracted driving. Individuals who are using their cell phones, eating, doing makeup, or engaging in other activities while driving are not paying attention to the road and are more likely to cause accidents. They also usually do not have both hands on the wheel, which slows their reaction time and limits their ability to react to sudden situations while driving.

Q: Where Do Accidents Happen the Most?

A: Accidents tend to happen the most at intersections. This is a trend in both rural and urban areas. Drivers interact with each other the most at intersections, so they leave significant room for accidents. This also impacts pedestrians and cyclists who are attempting to cross the road. Other common areas for accidents include parking lots and areas close to an individual’s home. Drivers are less likely to pay attention when they are familiar with the area.

Make Sure Your Interests Are Represented

Car accidents are scary for everyone, regardless of what state you live in. They can involve traumatic events, serious injuries, and extensive paperwork. The attorneys at the Cox Law Firm have been helping victims of car accidents for almost 50 years. They have successfully recovered millions of dollars in damages for their clients. To learn more about how the Cox Law Firm can help with your car accident, schedule a consultation today.