Motor vehicle accidents are unfortunately very common in Illinois and are responsible for over 60,000 injuries and 1000 deaths annually. Because of their size and weight, accidents involving motor vehicles are particularly destructive and are a public health issue. These motor vehicle accident statistics should give you a general lay of the land in 2025. You can contact a car accident attorney if you have more questions about car accident injuries and insurance claims.
General Traffic Accident Statistics in Illinois
According to the most recent data from the Illinois Department of Transportation:
- There were over 10 million registered motor vehicles in Illinois in 2023.
- Illinois experienced nearly 300,000 crashes in 2023.
- About 30 percent of these crashes involved injuries, while under 1 percent involved fatalities.
- About 8,000 crashes resulted in type-A injuries (injuries requiring the victim to be transported from the scene).
- The Illinois traffic fatality rate in 2023 was 1.2 per 100 million miles traveled.
- More than three people died per day in traffic accidents in Illinois in 2023.
When and Where Do Crashes Occur Most?
The data also offers insight into the times and locations at which accidents are most likely to happen:
- Crashes are most likely to happen between the hours of noon and eight in the evening.
- However, fatal crashes are more likely between midnight and 4 a.m.
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday have the highest numbers of fatal crashes.
- Cook County and DuPage County had the highest number of accidents in 2023, at 160,000 and 17,000, respectively.
- Chicago is the city with the highest number of motor vehicle accidents.
- In both urban and rural areas, crashes are most likely on minor arterial and principal arterial roads.
Crash Type and Victim Demographics
The Illinois DOT also collected information regarding the most common types of crashes and who is involved:
- Rear-end crashes were the most common type of injury crash in 2023.
- Collisions with fixed objects were the most common type of fatal crash.
- Drivers represented about two-thirds of crash injury victims.
- Men between the ages of 25 and 44 were the most likely group to die in a car accident.
- Drivers not using a seatbelt were significantly more likely to die in an accident compared to those who did wear a seatbelt.
Tips to Avoid Motor Vehicle Accidents
Given the prevalence of motor vehicle accidents, it’s imperative you take steps to protect yourself on the road. These tips can help you remain vigilant and reduce the likelihood of experiencing a crash and injury.
- Always stay aware of your surroundings and minimize distractions while driving, like texting or talking to passengers.
- When driving at night or in bad weather conditions, reduce your speed accordingly.
- Drive defensively and give other drivers a wide berth.
- Always wear your seatbelt, even if you are only driving for a few miles.
- Try to leave a safe following distance of at least three seconds between you and other cars.
- Consider brushing up on Illinois’ rules of the road so you understand things like right-of-way and pedestrian rules.
- If you get into a car accident, document everything you can about the scene and contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Contact a Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney Today
A single bad car wreck can practically destroy your life, leading to exorbitant medical bills and impairments that prevent you from working. If you have injuries from a car accident, you need an attorney on your side who will fight for what is right. Bartholomew, Shevlin & Flack, LLP, has extensive experience helping injury victims recover their losses and is here to offer assistance.
Contact our offices online today or reach out by phone for a case consultation with a car accident attorney in Belleville, IL.