According to Allstate Insurance, Charlotte, North Carolina, ranks 69th out of 100 cities for driver safety. This low ranking arose from speeding and hard braking measured among Allstate’s policyholders. Charlotte car accident statistics paint a similarly troubling picture. Over the three years from 2021 to 2023, the city had over 125,000 traffic accidents.
Crash victims often require resources for medical care and living expenses as they recover. For this reason, North Carolina law allows accident victims to pursue injury compensation from negligent drivers and their insurers.
The Charlotte car accident lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers guide injury victims through the claims process to help them recover compensation for their injury-related losses. Call 800-525-7111 or contact us today for a free consultation.
How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Charlotte, NC
Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers has represented injured people in Charlotte, NC, for over 40 years. Our attorneys have nearly two centuries of combined legal experience and have used that experience to recover more than $850 million.
Most car accidents in Charlotte result from driver negligence.
When someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions injure you, our firm can provide the following assistance:
- Reviewing your accident to identify possible legal claims
- Investigating your case and filing an insurance claim using the evidence we uncover
- Negotiating for a settlement with the claims adjuster assigned to your case
- Filing a lawsuit if we can’t work out fair settlement terms
Contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Charlotte personal injury attorney. Learn how we pursue damages from careless drivers and their insurers on behalf of our clients.
Charlotte Traffic Accident Statistics
According to the North Carolina Traffic Crash Facts report, Charlotte had 32,932 traffic crashes in 2023.
These crashes included the following:
The remaining 32,455 crashes included both single-vehicle and multi-vehicle accidents. Single-vehicle accidents occur when drivers hit fixed objects, run off the road, or roll over.
Multi-vehicle collisions happen when the first event in the accident is a collision between two or more vehicles. A crash is still considered a multi-vehicle collision if one or both vehicles hit fixed objects, run off the road, or roll over after the initial collision.
Traffic Crash Outcomes in Charlotte
In 2023, traffic accidents in Charlotte resulted in the following outcomes:
- 105 fatal injuries
- 16,066 non-fatal injuries
These figures break down as follows:
- 24 pedestrians killed
- 397 pedestrians injured
- One bicyclist killed
- 95 bicyclists injured
Importantly, this means that each pedestrian accident in Charlotte averaged 1.1 fatal or non-fatal injuries due to several incidents that injured multiple people.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in North Carolina
The Traffic Crash Facts report doesn’t identify contributing factors for crashes in individual cities. However, it does provide statewide data. The leading causes of car accidents in North Carolina include the following:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving was a major contributor to collisions in North Carolina. The Traffic Crash Facts report indicates that distracted driving is based on self-reported behavior. Distracted driving rarely leaves physical evidence, so the state relies on drivers' admissions of being distracted during their crashes.
Distractions often include cell phone use, such as texting or talking while driving. Another common distraction is eating or drinking. These activities take the driver’s hands off the wheel, eyes off the road, and attention away from operating their vehicle.
In 2023, over 16% of crashes in the state occurred because at least one driver admitted to distracted driving. Distracted driving resulted in over 16% of all crash-related injuries and over 7% of all crash-related fatalities in the state.
Speeding
Speeding is also a significant factor in Charlotte car accidents.
Speeding can happen in two ways. First, a driver can exceed the posted speed limit. Traffic engineers set the speed limits based on many factors, including the nature and location of the road. When drivers exceed those limits, they can hit slower vehicles as they weave in and out of traffic.
Second, a driver can travel too fast for the weather and road conditions. In these situations, safe speed is a judgment call. However, if a driver can’t adequately control their vehicle, they’re going too fast.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving is frustrating not only because it’s so often destructive but because it’s entirely preventable. In 2023, Charlotte had 866 alcohol-related driving crashes. These collisions caused 40 deaths and 786 non-fatal injuries.
Alcohol and drugs affect a driver’s judgment and coordination. Additionally, some substances can cause drowsiness or mania. In either case, the driver can’t control their vehicle safely and may cause crashes.
Contact Our Charlotte Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Car accidents in Charlotte can result in serious injuries that require costly, long-term medical care. Contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with one of our Charlotte car accident attorneys to discuss your accident and the compensation you can seek under North Carolina law.