When and Where Do Most Accidents Take Place?

Most accidents take place in the evenings and on the weekends. There is also an increase in fatalities, particularly drinking and driving fatalities, over the holidays. In 2019, drunk driving deaths increased by 129 percent, and 62 percent of drunk-driving fatalities occurred on the weekends from Fridays through Sundays.

Approximately 4.4 million Americans are injured annually in a car accident. There are several reasons why car crashes happen and why they occur at specific times. Knowing when the accidents are most likely to occur can help you avoid them.

Many car accidents happen in the evening and on holidays, and these incidents often carry a greater risk of serious injury or fatality.

If you or someone close to you was recently in a car accident, consider speaking with a California car accident lawyer to understand your legal options better. You can reach Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free consultation.

What Time Of Day Do Most Car Accidents Happen?

The National Safety Council notes that the peak time for crashes occurs between 4:00 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. local time, but the times change seasonally. During the spring and summer, crashes peak between 8:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. In the summer, crashes that are not fatal tend to peak between noon and 3:59 p.m.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2021 Traffic Safety Facts, rural traffic fatalities typically occur during the day, between 6 a.m. and 5:59 p.m. Meanwhile, urban traffic fatalities usually happen at night, from 6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.

Car accidents tend to follow predictable patterns, with late afternoons and early evenings being the most common times. Crashes also occur more frequently on weekends and holidays. Certain types of collisions are more likely to happen at specific times of day.

How Timing And Location Can Impact An Injury Claim

When and where a crash happens can affect the assessment of liability. For example:

• Nighttime accidents may raise questions about poor visibility, alcohol use, or whether headlights were on.
• Intersection crashes might involve issues like signal timing, distracted driving, or failure to yield.
• In some cases, a malfunctioning streetlight or poorly marked road could shift partial responsibility to a government agency.

Under California’s comparative negligence law, multiple parties may share fault. These details matter when determining how much compensation you may receive.

According to NHTSA, the rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes is nearly three times higher at night than it is during the day. In other words, drinking and driving accidents are more common at nighttime, which is when hit-and-run accidents also seem to spike.

Key Evidence That Helps Prove Fault

The location and time of a crash often shape the kind of evidence available. Examples include:

• Urban Areas — Surveillance footage, dashcams, and eyewitness accounts are often available.
• Rural Roads — Skid marks, GPS data, or black box vehicle information may be critical due to limited visibility or lack of witnesses.
• Nighttime Crashes — Evidence may include headlight condition, road lighting, or proof of impaired driving.
• Intersections — Traffic light sequencing, cell phone records, or vehicle angles at impact can clarify liability.

Gathering this evidence quickly is crucial before it disappears or becomes less reliable.

Fortunately, traffic cameras and eyewitness reports now play a bigger role in catching hit-and-run drivers. Our California injury law team has handled a wide range of car accident cases over the years. We have hit-and-run accident lawyers who can examine a potential lawsuit for you.

Every accident is unique. We help clients gather evidence and understand their legal rights after a crash. If you’re unsure about how the timing or location of your accident might affect your case, our motor vehicle accident attorneys can review your situation and explain your legal options.

Car Accident Trends By Day Of The Week

Weekends and evenings are generally vulnerable times for car accidents, but it can be more specific than that. Rush hour or the commute hour is a hot time for car accidents. In many regions, happy hours at the bar are close to this time frame as well, and there will be crash data from the roads then as well.

Studies consistently show that Tuesdays are the safest days to be on the road, while Saturdays are the most dangerous, particularly on non-holiday weekends. In 2016 alone, when 37,461 traffic fatalities were recorded in the United States, 6,802 occurred on Saturdays, making it the deadliest day of the week. Fridays and Saturdays also ranked as the second and third most dangerous days for fatal car crashes.

NSC data from 2023 supports these findings, revealing that fatal car crashes were more common on weekends, with a peak on Saturday. In contrast, nonfatal crashes occurred more frequently on weekdays, especially on Fridays, likely due to higher traffic volumes related to work and end-of-week travel.

Where Do Most Car Accidents Happen?

Car accidents tend to occur in familiar and high-traffic areas. These are places where drivers feel more comfortable and may let their guard down.

• Rural Roads — Although only 19% of Americans live in rural areas, nearly half of all traffic fatalities happen there. With fewer cars and wider roads, drivers are more likely to speed, making crashes more severe.
• Stoplights And Interesections — These areas are frequent crash sites. Drivers may misjudge braking distances, run red lights, or fail to yield. Distractions like texting or reaching for coffee often play a role in these collisions.
• Parking Lots And Garages — Low-speed crashes are common in parking structures. Drivers may back out without checking blind spots or react poorly in low lighting. Pedestrian traffic adds to the risk.
• Residential Streets — Drivers often relax too much in their own neighborhoods. Speeding down the street, reversing without looking, or rolling through stop signs are common causes of accidents close to home.
• Unfamiliar vs. Familiar Areas — Ironically, drivers tend to be more cautious in unfamiliar areas, such as on road trips, because they’re more alert to signs, traffic patterns, and surroundings.

If you sustained injuries in a crash, no matter where it happened, it’s important to understand your legal rights. A personal injury lawyer can help you explore your options and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Common Crash Types By Location

Different driving environments lead to different types of crashes. Here are some examples:

• Intersections — T-bone and left-turn collisions are common, often due to red-light running or confusion over right-of-way.
• Stoplights — Rear-end crashes frequently happen when drivers follow too closely or brake suddenly.
• Parking Lots — Low-speed crashes involve reversing vehicles or drivers failing to see pedestrians.
• Freeways And Highways — Sideswipes and high-speed rear-end collisions may occur during merging or lane changes.
• Residential Streets — Crashes may involve pedestrians, parked cars, or drivers speeding through familiar neighborhoods.

Understanding where and how your accident happened can help determine who was at fault.

Vulnerable Locations For Car Accidents

It is not just an urban legend that most car accidents occur very close to home. Much of this belief stems from the fact that drivers get more comfortable in their neighborhoods and work communities. We are typically less vigilant on the roads when we are in familiar surroundings. The most vulnerable locations for car accidents are in the most common places.

It is a false sense of security. We don’t throw caution to the wind. However, when we are in unfamiliar regions, we pay more attention to road signage, traffic lights, and the traffic around us.

Stoplights are commonplace for rear-end collisions. These often happen close to home or close to places we are familiar with, such as work and our children’s schools. Drivers go fast and think they have a lot of room to slow down when they don’t.

Intersections are hot spots for similar reasons. Today, even experienced drivers forget who has the right-of-way. Some drivers may act recklessly or fail to yield, increasing the risk of collisions at intersections.

Parking lots are another very common hot spot for car accidents. It is easier to speed here. There are not often fatalities in parking lots, but these are still very dangerous spaces to drive in.

What Should You Do After a Car Accident?

If you’ve recently been in a car accident — whether in your neighborhood, a parking lot, or a busy intersection — you may be dealing with pain, paperwork, and uncertainty about what to do next. Even if the scene has cleared, there are still important steps you can take to protect your health and your legal claim.

Here’s what to do after the crash:

• Follow Up On Medical Care — Some injuries, like concussions or soft-tissue damage, worsen over time. Consistent treatment also builds a clear medical record that supports your case.
• Request A Copy Of The Police Report — If law enforcement responded, the report may contain key details about fault and witness statements.
• Preserve Documentation — Save all photos, medical bills, repair estimates, and communication with insurance companies. These documents can become vital evidence.
• Write Down What You Remember — Your memory of the accident will fade. Make note of the time, location, what you saw, and anything the other driver said.
• Avoid Speaking To Insurers Alone — Insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but their goal is often to minimize payouts. Let a lawyer handle these conversations.
• Contact A Personal Injury Attorney — An experienced lawyer can help you understand your rights, gather additional evidence, and pursue the compensation you may deserve.

Even if the crash felt minor at first, the effects can grow more serious over time. Speaking with a lawyer early gives you the best chance to protect your interests.

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

Before we look at why motorcycle crashes happen, let’s talk about where they’re most likely to occur. According to 2021 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Around 67% of fatal motorcycle accidents happen in urban areas.
• About 92% occur on non-interstate roads.

These numbers may seem surprising. Many people assume that fast-moving highways are the most dangerous for riders, but that’s not usually the case.

Cities pose more risks for motorcyclists because of the constant movement and distractions. Drivers may be impatient or distracted, pedestrians can step into the road without warning, and delivery vehicles often block traffic. Add in scooters, bicycles, and poor road conditions, like potholes and construction zones, and it’s easy to see why urban streets are so hazardous for riders.

Non-interstate roads are also high-risk. These include winding roads through neighborhoods, small towns, or scenic areas. Riders often enjoy these routes, but they come with hidden dangers: blind driveways, sharp turns, crossing animals, and limited lighting. These roads aren’t always well-marked or maintained, which increases the chances of a crash.

Legal Tips For Motorcycle Accident Victims

If you were recently injured in a motorcycle crash, you may be facing serious injuries and unfair assumptions. Insurance companies often claim that motorcyclists were speeding or weaving through traffic, even when the facts say otherwise.

In addition to the general steps shared earlier (such as seeking medical care, preserving documentation, and avoiding early contact with insurers), riders should take these motorcycle-specific actions:

• Preserve Your Riding Gear — Helmets, jackets, gloves, and boots may show impact points or damage that helps support your injury claim.
• Photograph Road Hazards — Take pictures of loose gravel, potholes, oil slicks, or uneven pavement. These are common causes of motorcycle crashes and may point to a negligent property owner or public agency.
• Don’t Assume Blame If You Weren’t Wearing A Helmet — While California law requires helmet use, not wearing one doesn’t automatically disqualify you from compensation. An attorney can help assess how it may affect your claim.
• Make Note Of Visibility Issues — If the driver said they “didn’t see you,” that statement could support a failure-to-yield or distracted driving case.

Motorcycle accident claims often involve more severe injuries, greater bias, and more complex liability issues. Working with an attorney who understands motorcycle law in California can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

Consult With Our Car Accident Lawyers For Free

After a car accident, it may seem clear what happened and who was at fault, but things often become more complicated. Injuries may worsen, memories fade, and other parties might dispute the facts. That’s why having experienced legal guidance from the start is so important.

Led by Arash Khorsandi, Esq., the team at Arash Law has spent decades helping Californians navigate the legal aftermath of serious crashes. We’re available to review your case, explain your rights, and walk you through the legal steps that may apply to your situation.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free consultation with a California car accident lawyer. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t owe attorney’s fees unless we win your case. However, you may still be responsible for certain case-related costs and expenses, such as filing fees, expert witness fees, or costs to obtain medical records, even if no recovery is obtained.