Louisiana Car Accident Statistics

Car accidents in Louisiana have been on the rise for the past few years: 2021 saw over 900 crashes, and nearly 1,000 deaths, on Louisiana highways that year. That was a marked increase from 2020, and in fact set a new grim record, surpassing the previous record of 993 highway deaths in 2007. These grisly statistics serve as a reminder to always drive safely in Louisiana, and avoid becoming one of the thousands of people impacted by car crashes on our highways, byways, and other roads.

How Many People Die in Louisiana Car Crashes Every Year?

Louisiana is above the national average for car crash deaths. While the United States as a whole saw about 11 deaths per 100,000 people in 2018, Louisiana alone was the site of over 17 deaths per 100,000.

Another way to measure highway deaths is in deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. By this metric, Louisiana also loses out to the rest of the country: for the U.S., that figure is 1.11, but for Louisiana, it’s 1.42. Clearly, Louisiana has far more car crashes than the American average.

Causes of Louisiana Car Accidents

From where might this marked increase in car accident deaths arise? Experts believe that distracted driving, as well as driving impaired by alcohol and drugs, are the biggest drivers behind the spike in Louisiana. The source for these statistics is from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s report.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Alcohol was a leading cause of death in car accidents, having been involved in 40% of all Louisiana highway deaths between 2017 and 2020. That’s far above the national average of about 1 in 3 crash deaths resulting from alcohol during the same period. Thankfully, drunk driving crashes seem to be on a downward trend, but there are still far too many in Louisiana.

The Rise of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving has been on the rise since the wide adoption of cell phones in the early 2010s. On average, studies have found that Louisiana drivers use their cell phones more than twice each time they drive, leading to 5,400 injuries a year due to distracted drivers reading a text message or taking their eyes off the road for another reason. 

Speeding Is a Major Driver of Crash Deaths

Speeding is also a major driver in car crashes: nearly 1/3 of all crash deaths are the direct result of exceeding the speed limit on Louisiana roads. While it might be easy to speed, given the relative flatness and straightness of our highways, it’s important to remember that speed limits are posted for everyone’s safety, and we ignore them at our peril.

The Majority of Crashes Involve One Driver

While the popular conception of a car crash is two or more vehicles smashing into each other, the data tell a different story. In Louisiana, fully 57% of all traffic accidents involve only one vehicle crashing into a tree or roadside barrier, or possibly falling into a ditch. That means that less than half of all accidents involve two or more drivers.

The Importance of Wearing a Seat Belt on Every Drive

Seat belts have been a required feature on every vehicle in the United States since the 1980s. Even though they’re proven to prevent deadly injury during a crash, some people still refuse to wear them at their peril. In 2019, over half of all people were killed in a car crash due to not wearing a seat belt—underlining the importance of buckling up.

Louisiana Car Accidents Happen in Both Rural and Urban Areas

Whether you’re driving in the city or the country, make sure to drive safely: car crash deaths were about equal in both urban and rural areas in 2019 in our state. Of course, each type of area has different dangers: while you’re less likely to experience a pile-up on a country road, for example, you might be at a higher risk of speeding or other accidents.

Don’t Be an Accident Statistic: Get Gordon Today

If you have been the victim of a car accident in Louisiana, you need a representative for your interests against those of the other driver and their insurance company. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are passionate advocates for our clients’ needs, and we’ve recovered over $3 Billion over the years to help our clients heal.

Don’t be a victim twice after a car accident: your insurance will try to quiet you with the smallest settlement possible, but your injuries require more than the minimum to heal properly. Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today at 888.501.7888 for a free consultation as to your legal options. The G Guarantee is our promise that you pay us nothing until we win your case.

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