Hickory Car Accident Statistics [2024 Updated]

Although drivers are all aware of the potential risks on the road, not all take the necessary precautions. Collisions between cars and single-car accidents are unfortunately common. Car accidents in Hickory can result in minor to major property damage, serious injuries, or even life-altering injuries and death. Understanding Hickory car accident statistics can help drivers get a clearer picture of the dangers on the road. This can, in turn, make them safer drivers.

North Carolina Accident Statistics

According to the North Carolina DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) 2021 report, there were 276,026 total crashes from January to December. Of these crashes, 74,639 were injury crashes, and 1,653 were fatal crashes.

From January to December, according to the 2022 report, there were a total of 273,732 reported crashes in 2022, marking a 0.8% decrease from the prior year. 71,963 of these crashes were injury crashes, and 1,647 were fatal crashes. A total of 1,784 people were killed, and 110,544 were injured. Causes of statewide crashes included:

• 4.3% of the total crashes were alcohol-related, and alcohol-related crashes caused 25.1% of total fatalities.
• 6.1% of crashes and 23.9% of fatalities were caused by speeding.
• 22.4% of crashes and 55.9% of fatalities were caused by lane departure.
• 17.3% of crashes and 9.2% of fatalities were caused by distracted driving.

By following the rules of the road and remaining focused on the task of driving, you can reduce your risk of being involved in an accident.

Car Accident Statistics in Hickory

From 2019 to 2021, there were a total of 9,667 reported crashes in Hickory, according to the 2021 DMV report. Of these crashes:

• 2.48% were alcohol-related.
• 1,397 were non-fatal injury crashes.
• 15 were fatal crashes.

In 2021, there were 2,107 reported crashes, resulting in 605 injuries and 11 fatalities. These statistics only took into account reportable crashes, meaning that these incidents resulted in death, injury, or $1,000 or more in property damage. Of these crashes:

• 62 were related to alcohol, resulting in 28 injuries and 1 death.
• 22 involved pedestrians, causing 19 injuries and 3 deaths.
• 5 involved bicycles, resulting in 5 injuries.

According to the 2022 DMV report, Hickory has 1,881 reported crashes, resulting in 568 injuries and 6 fatalities. Out of these crashes:

• 43 were alcohol-related, resulting in 27 injuries and 1 fatality.
• 14 involved pedestrians, resulting in 14 injuries and 1 death.
• 5 involved bicycles, causing 4 injuries.

According to the 2021 report, Hickory ranked 17th out of all North Carolina cities with populations greater than 10,000. This ranking was based on the number of reported accidents, the severity of the collisions, and the rate of accidents per population. In the same year, Greensboro ranked 1st on this list, with nearly 32,000 total reported accidents from 2019 to 2021.

Car Accident Statistics in Catawba County

According to the 2022 report, Catawba County saw a total of 4,589 reported crashes that year. Of those crashes, there were 1,742 non-fatal injuries. There were also 31 fatalities, down from 39 in 2021.

FAQs

Q: What Is the Biggest Factor in Car Accidents?

A: The most common factor in car accidents across the U.S. is distracted driving. It caused 17.9% of accidents in North Carolina in 2021. Although it is not the leading cause of fatal car accidents, it is a high cause of property damage and injury accidents. Driving distracted refers to taking your eyes or simply your mental focus off the road and the task of driving. Even driving distracted for only a few seconds can result in a driver failing to react in time to road changes, causing an accident.

Q: What Is the #1 Type of Car Accident That Occurs in the U.S.?

A: According to the National Safety Council, the most common type of car accident that results in injury crashes is an angle collision, which accounted for 43.1% of injury crashes in 2021 or 996,000 injury crashes. The next most common type was a rear-end collision, making up 39.6% of all injury crashes. Of all total types of accidents, including fatal, injury, and property damage crashes, the most common type of accident was a rear-end collision, making up 41.7% of all crashes or 3,890,000 crashes.

Q: What Time of Day Do Most Fatal Car Accidents Occur?

A: The most common time of day for fatal accidents to occur was between 4:00 and 7:59 p.m., according to the National Safety Council’s data from 2021. In all months of the year, this time frame accounted for 22.2% of all fatal crashes. 22.0% of all fatal crashes in the year occurred from 8:00 to 11:59 p.m.

The same data shows that, while these are the year-round statistics, they can vary based on the time of year. In spring and summer, the peak of fatal crashes occurred more commonly from the 8:00 to 11:59 window.

Q: How Many Car Crashes Are There Each Year in North Carolina?

A: In 2021, there were a total of 276,026 traffic crashes reported in the state, according to the North Carolina DMV. This was an 11.7% increase in total reported crashes from 2020. Of the 2021 accidents, there were a total of 114,722 injuries and 1,783 deaths. In Hickory, North Carolina, there were 2,107 reported crashes, 605 injuries, and 11 fatalities in 2021.

Contact the Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC

Car accidents are frequent and, unfortunately, even incredibly careful drivers are at risk for accidents. By being careful and safe while on the road, you can limit the likelihood of being at fault for the accident.

Although this may seem like a small comfort as you recover from your injuries, it can enable you to hold the at-fault party liable for their negligence. Then, you can recover lost wages, medical bill coverage, and other economic damages, as well as noneconomic damages, from the accident.

The most effective way to maximize the financial compensation you obtain is with an experienced car accident attorney in Burke, Catawba, and Caldwell Counties. Contact the Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, to learn how we can help you after a car accident.