Winston-Salem Car Accident Statistics

Have you been injured in a car accident in Winston-Salem, North Carolina? Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help when you call (336) 516-9042. We offer a free consultation with a Winston-Salem car accident lawyer who can review your case and explain your legal options for pursuing fair compensation.

Winston-Salem is the fifth-largest city in North Carolina, and with its heavy traffic, collisions are all too common. In 2023, state crash data ranked Winston-Salem sixth in overall crash risk. Each year, car accidents here cause numerous fatalities and thousands of injuries. 

We are ready to stand up to insurers and at-fault drivers to help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.

How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Winston-Salem, NC

How Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Winston-Salem, NC

North Carolina law entitles crash victims to seek compensation from negligent drivers for their injury-related losses. At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent decades standing up for people injured through no fault of their own, building a track record of results both in and out of the courtroom.

Here’s why you should choose us when you need a Winston-Salem car accident attorney:

  • More than 190 years of combined legal experience on our team.
  • More than $850 million recovered in verdicts and settlements. (See disclaimer below)
  • Proven results in complex accident and injury cases.
  • A long history of holding negligent drivers and insurers accountable.

If you need a dedicated advocate after a collision in Winston-Salem, NC, call today to schedule your free consultation.

Rates of Different Types of Car Accidents in Winston-Salem

Winston-Salem, NC, had 9,195 traffic crashes causing at least $1,000 in damage in 2023, including the following:

The remaining 9,090 traffic crashes involved either single- or multi-vehicle collisions. Single-vehicle crashes happen when a driver strikes a fixed object, such as a bridge support, or when their car rolls over or runs off the road.

Multi-vehicle collisions occur when two or more motor vehicles collide while in transit. In other words, rear-ending a car stopped at a red light qualifies as a multi-vehicle collision, while hitting a parked car does not.

Common Types of Crashes in Winston-Salem

North Carolina’s Statewide Crash Statistics dashboard breaks down crashes by the type of vehicle involved. Crashes in Winston-Salem included the following:

  • 256 truck accidents
  • 110 motorcycle accidents

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious or fatal injuries because riders have little protection during a collision. As a result, they may suffer limb, head, and spine trauma.

Similarly, truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries simply due to the massive weight of a tractor-trailer combination. These crashes can cause crushing injuries, amputations, and brain damage.

Injuries and Fatalities in Winston-Salem Collisions

The 9,195 traffic accidents reported in Winston-Salem caused the following outcomes:

  • 39 deaths
  • 3,389 non-fatal injuries

These injuries and deaths included the following:

  • 6 fatally injured pedestrians
  • 82 non-fatally injured pedestrians
  • 26 non-fatally injured cyclists

Serious pedestrian and bicyclist injuries can happen even in low-speed collisions since these road users have no passenger compartment to protect them.

Common Causes of Crashes Throughout North Carolina

Most car accidents in Winston-Salem occur because of a driver’s actions. Common accident causes include: 

Speeding

According to the state’s crash statistics dashboard, speeding is a leading cause of collisions in Winston-Salem. In 2023, accident reports blamed 507 traffic accidents on excessive speed.

Speeding can happen in two ways. A driver is speeding when they exceed the posted speed limit. Since these limits are set according to the road’s intended use, a speeding driver may be unable to stop in time for pedestrians, cyclists, and slower drivers.

Drivers can also be considered speeding when they move too fast for the road and weather conditions. Even if they’re under the speed limit, a driver who goes too fast on slick roads or during poor visibility risks losing control of their vehicle or striking another road user.

Impaired Driving

The dashboard reports 376 alcohol-related collisions and 65 drug-related collisions in Winston-Salem in 2023. These crashes are entirely preventable because drivers have many alternatives to driving under the influence.

When they choose to drive while intoxicated, drivers make poor decisions and have difficulty maintaining vehicle control. They may also misjudge their speed or distance, or even fall asleep at the wheel.

Distracted or Inattentive Driving

The 2023 Traffic Crash Facts report states that roughly 17% of traffic accidents resulted from distracted or inattentive driving. Distracted driving occurs when a driver attempts to perform non-driving tasks, such as eating or texting. Inattentive driving happens when a driver’s mind is not fully focused on driving. 

In either case, a driver might fail to see or react to road hazards in time.

Contact Our Winston-Salem Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation

After an accident in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, you need a team that can devise a tailored legal strategy to pursue compensation from the negligent driver who injured you. Contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for a free consultation with a Winston-Salem car accident lawyer to discuss your injuries and the compensation we can seek for the resulting losses.