Do you know how many accidents happen each day? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 40,000 people were killed in traffic crashes last year alone.
The most recent data reveals that one person dies every thirty seconds due to car accidents. It also means that most serious accidents happen during daylight hours.
Being involved in a car accident on a dangerous day can leave victims severely injured or dead.
Were you involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence? The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Contact our car accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation.
All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
When Do Most Serious Accidents Happen? Most Dangerous Time & Day of the Week to Drive in America
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) report, more than 1.3 million auto accident claims are filed with insurance companies annually.
The IIHS study found that the most serious accidents occur at the most dangerous time and day of the week driving between 6:00 am and 9:00 pm on Sundays.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the most serious accidents occur when drivers are sleepy after waking up.
They may not have had enough sleep or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs., which could lead to an increase in aggressive driving behavior and the risk of an accident.
According to NHTSA, the most serious accidents happen at the most dangerous time of the week, driving Monday through Thursday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Drivers who work nights and weekends are often tired and distracted, so taking precautions is vital before operating your vehicle.
Most serious accidents are preventable. Here are some tips to keep you safe while driving:
- Ensure you have plenty of fuel
- Avoid distractions like eating and drinking
- Keep your eyes open and watch out for other vehicles
- Don’t drink and drive
- Be aware of road conditions
- Use cruise control if possible
- Slow down and stay alert
- If you must use a cell phone, make sure you don’t text and drive
- Know where you are going
- Plan ahead
- Stay calm and focused
- Have a designated driver
- Wear seat belts
- Never speed
- Always obey the rules of the road
- Follow all posted signs
Why Does July 4th Have the Highest Number of Fatal Car Accidents?
July 4th has been recognized as the deadliest holiday in America since 1970. This is mainly because more cars are on the roads on Independence Day.
According to the US Department of Transportation, about 3.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more away from home on July 4th.
In addition, there are more fireworks displays across the country this year compared to previous years.
Our car accident lawyers have reviewed statistics and found more fatal fatalities usually occur during the Fourth of July weekend.
Many people plan their vacations around the holiday to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th and should always remain vigilant and cautious while driving to avoid a car accident.
What Percentage of Accidents Are Fatal?
The deadliest days include:
- New Year’s Eve: More drivers are involved in catastrophic car accidents in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day than during the winter months. Between 2011 and 2015, over 40% of all deadly crashes on January 1st happened between midnight and 6 am.
- Independence Day: The 4th of July is historically one of the deadliest holidays in the United States. Between 2011 and 2015, there were over 1,700 fatalities due to traffic accidents nationwide. This number is even more staggering when you consider that this accounts for over a third of all traffic fatalities that occur during July.
- Memorial Day weekend is the second deadliest holiday in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2020, 116 fatalities and 9,856 injuries were due to crashes during the holiday weekend.
- The start of summer vacation is the deadliest time of year on the road. In 2019, there were 2,660 fatalities during July. That’s an average of 89 deaths per day.
- Evening rush hour: Most car accidents in the United States occurring Monday through Friday happen during rush hour when there is heavily congested traffic. These are dangerous times on the road when other drivers are in a hurry to get home, and it can lead to more aggressive driving, including speeding and tailgating, especially during the summer months.
- At the closing time: Most accidents after midnight occur when the bars close from midnight to 3:00 am, leading to drunk drivers filling urban streets and rural roads, especially on weekends.
- Early rush-hour from 6:00 am to noon: rush hour traffic combined with sleepy drivers can often lead to accidents as the sun rises, creating visual problems during high-volume traffic.
- Halloween may seem odd for a deadly day while driving, but consider how many people are out drinking and driving while in costume. Unsurprisingly, Halloween sees many auto accidents yearly, especially when the holiday falls on a Saturday.
- St. Patrick’s Day: Many bars serve endless rounds of beer and other alcoholic beverages to patrons celebrating throughout the day from early morning until closing.
While one study showed that the most dangerous day of the week for driving is Saturday, during the early morning hours, the safest day is Tuesday, when most people have settled into their work schedule, even though a higher volume of traffic crowding the roadways.
Speeding, Drunk Driving, and Fatal Crashes
Drunk driving is a leading cause of fatal car accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 36 percent of all drunk-driving fatalities involve someone impaired by alcohol.
A recent survey by AAA revealed that almost half of all American adults admit to drunk driving at least once in their lifetime. If you’re going to drink, make sure you have a designated driver. Never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.
According to the National Safety Council, the leading causes of most serious accidents resulting in fatalities occur on holidays in the US include:
- Speeding: According to NHTSA, speeding plays a factor in 30% of all fatal drunk driving accidents.
- Distracted driving: Most car accidents occur from distracted driving on the most dangerous days during the summer months, including July 4th, Labor Day, and Memorial Day.
- Alcohol: According to NHTSA, 18% of daytime fatalities are alcohol-related. Meanwhile, that number skyrockets to 54% of nighttime fatalities. More drunk drivers are on the road on holidays now than ever.
- Seat belts: Meanwhile, almost 66% of all fatalities at night involve the victim not wearing their seatbelt.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to Resolve your Serious Crash Case
Are you a victim of a serious accident that lead to severe injuries, extensive property damage, or fatalities?
The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC represent the injured parties harmed in car accidents to ensure they receive maximum compensation for their damages.
Call our car accident lawyers at (888) 424-5757 or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss holding the other party financially accountable for causing the crash.
We accept all personal injury cases and wrongful death lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement.
This arrangement ensures you pay no upfront fees until we resolve your case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.
