San Diego Car Accident Statistics

Traffic accidents are common throughout San Diego County. Traffic safety is a top priority for many county and state agencies. However, even with traffic enforcement and education campaigns, fatal car accidents in San Diego County continue to occur.

The San Diego car accident lawyers at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers represent accident victims and their families as they seek compensation for car crash injuries. We are passionate about what we do, and it shows in our 99% success rate for settlements and verdicts over our 43 years of practicing personal injury law.

Let us put our knowledge and experience to work for you after a San Diego, CA car accident. Contact our law office or call us at (619) 777-5555 to schedule a free consultation with a San Diego personal injury attorney.

Table of Contents

How Our San Diego Car Accident Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Injured in a Car Accident

Traffic deaths and injuries are preventable. Careless drivers cause horrific car crashes because of their recklessness and negligence. The San Diego auto accident lawyers at Mission Personal Injury Lawyers believe that accident victims should not bear the burden of another party’s negligence.

We are a 5-star rated personal injury law firm in San Diego, California. Our San Diego auto accident lawyers have over 43 years of combined experience handling injury cases and are award-winning accident lawyers.

When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:

Provide a comprehensive consultation to analyze your case and provide an honest assessment of your claim
Complete a thorough accident investigation to determine the cause of the wreck and gather evidence
File all insurance claims and handle all communications with the insurance company
Calculate the value of your damages
Engage in tough, aggressive negotiations to get you the maximum compensation available for your claim
Provide compassionate support and guidance for you throughout your personal injury case

Schedule a free consultation with one of our San Diego car accident attorneys today. We are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve after being injured in a car accident.

How Common Are Car Accidents in San Diego, California?

According to the most recent California Highway Patrol report, there were 3,904 people killed and 277,160 people injured in California traffic accidents in 2017.

The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) currently provides city and county crash data for 2017, 2018, and 2019. The data only shows the number of people who were injured or killed in crashes throughout the State of California. Therefore, the total number of collisions – including those that only cause property damage – is much higher than these numbers reflect.

Here are the total crashes reported in San Diego County between 2017 and 2019 that caused an injury or fatality:

2017: 20,648
2018: 20,270
2019: 19,928

The number of injury or fatal collisions reported in the city of San Diego between 2017 and 2019 is as follows:

2017: 5,644 (27.33% of the county’s collisions)
2018: 5,607 (27.66% of the county’s collisions)
2019: 5,578 (27.99% of the county’s collisions)

On average, speed was a factor in 24% of San Diego County collisions. However, speed-related crashes in the city of San Diego only made up about 14% of all crashes.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in San Diego?

California has the largest volume of registered motorcycles in the country, with over 952,000 recorded in the state in 2021. It’s no surprise that motorcycle accidents are prevalent in the Golden State.

The number of motorcycle crashes that injured or killed someone in San Diego County is as follows:

2017: 1,828
2018: 1,731
2019: 1,532

Here are the motorcycle injuries and fatalities that occurred in the city of San Diego:

2017: 276 (15.1% of the county’s motorcycle crashes)
2018: 381 (22.01% of the county’s motorcycle crashes)
2019: 419 (27.35% of the county’s motorcycle crashes)

These motorcycle statistics are alarming – particularly for the city of San Diego. There was a staggering 52% increase in motorcycle injuries and fatalities in San Diego between 2017 and 2019. Meanwhile, the county’s rate decreased by over 16% in the same timeframe.

How Common Are Pedestrian Accidents in San Diego, CA?

Nationwide, pedestrian fatalities hit a 40-year high in 2021, as estimated by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). The GHSA reports that an average of 20 pedestrians were killed daily in the US in 2021.

The number of pedestrian accidents that injured or killed someone in San Diego County is as follows:

2017: 1,239
2018: 1,286
2019: 1,196

Here is the data for the injury and fatal accidents involving pedestrians in the city of San Diego between 2017 and 2019:

2017: 592 (47.78% of the county’s pedestrian accidents)
2018: 647 (50.31% of the county’s pedestrian accidents)
2019: 617 (51.59% of the county’s pedestrian accidents)

On average, San Diego pedestrians account for nearly 50% of the county’s injury and fatal accidents.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in San Diego?

The number of bicycle accidents that injured or killed someone in San Diego County is as follows:

2017: 798
2018: 837
2019: 707

Here is the number of bicyclists who suffered injuries or died in crashes in the city of San Diego:

2017: 396 (49.62% of the county’s bicycle crashes)
2018: 411 (49.1% of the county’s bicycle crashes)
2019: 356 (50.35% of the county’s bicycle crashes)

Similar to pedestrians, cyclists who are injured or killed in San Diego collisions make up almost 50% of the county’s bicycle accidents.

Statistics on Hit-and-Run Accidents in San Diego, California

The OTS reported the following hit-and-run accidents that caused injuries and fatalities in San Diego County between 2017 and 2019:

2017: 1,351
2018: 1,320
2019: 1,356

Here are the statistics for hit-and-run fatal and injury crashes in the city of San Diego:

2017: 441
2018: 402
2019: 436

San Diegans who are injured or killed in hit-and-run accidents make up around 32% of the county’s total.

What Are Common Causes of San Diego Car Accidents?

The causes of San Diego car accidents are generally attributed to negligence and errors by drivers.

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of fatal collisions each year.

Common causes of car crashes in San Diego include:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Alcohol or drug impairment
Drowsy driving
Following too closely or tailgating
Reckless left turns or forbidden U-turns
Aggressive driving
Unsafe lane changing
Failure to obey traffic laws

Many of the traffic accidents in San Diego County are caused by human error. However, road defects, weather conditions, and defective auto parts can also be factors in some car crashes.

Common Types of Injuries Caused By Car Crashes in San Diego, CA

The injuries caused by traffic crashes vary from mild concussions and whiplash to traumatic brain injuries and paralysis. Some accident victims recover fully from their injuries. Other individuals sustain permanent impairments and disabilities.

Injuries that are common in car crashes include:

Traumatic brain injuries
Whiplash and neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Back injuries
Internal organ damage
Chest injuries
Lacerations and scarring
Amputations and loss of limbs
Broken bones and fractures
Airbag and seatbelt injuries

Cases involving catastrophic injuries can result in significant financial losses, pain and suffering. The compensation for damages depends on several factors, including the severity of injuries, total financial losses, and proving fault for the car wreck.

Schedule a Free Consultation With an Auto Accident Attorney in San Diego

Call now to schedule your free consultation with an Auto Accident Attorney in San Diego. Our San Diego car accident lawyers want to hear your story and give you the information and advice you need to decide what is best for you.

Common San Diego Car Accident Claims We Handle

At Mission Personal Injury Lawyers, we handle all types of car accident cases involving: