Despite concentrated efforts to reduce car accidents in Indiana, there has been no significant change in the number of collisions. Furthermore, three of the highest rates of fatal accidents from 2011 to 2020 were in the years 2017, 2018, and 2020 in line with a rising trend of fatal crashes over that period.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a car accident in Indiana, the law offices of Vaughan & Vaughan can help you recover the compensation you need and deserve from the liable party. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you through a free consultation with one of our Indiana car accident lawyers.
Overall Accident Numbers in Indiana in 2020
In 2020, there were 175,816 total car accidents in Indiana. Of those 148,705 resulted in property damage only, with no injuries, accounting for 84.6% of all accidents. Of the remaining 27,111 accidents, 26,303 resulted in non-fatal injuries. The 808 fatal accidents in the state accounted for 0.5% of the total accidents that occurred.
Marion County accounted for the highest number of accidents, with 28,301, of which 135 resulted in fatalities. On the other end of the spectrum, you have Union County, where only 82 accidents occurred, 14 of which resulted in injuries and only one of which was fatal. Additionally, Martin County was the only county in the state that reported no fatal crashes in 2020.
Where Are Car Accidents Most Common in Indiana?
The majority of car accidents in Indiana in 2020 occurred in urban areas. This concentration of crashes is unsurprising due to the sheer mass of vehicles on the road in cities compared to more rural locals. However, it is important to note that fatal accidents occurred at a higher rate in suburban, rural, and exurban areas than in urban zones.
The rate of fatalities in urban areas was significantly lower than in other locations, with only 2.1 deaths per 1,000 people involved in a collision compared to 6.1 in suburban locales, 7.6 in rural areas, and 8.0 in exurban zones.
Drunk Driving and Collisions in Indiana
Rates of alcohol involvement in fatal crashes in Indiana did not change significantly between 2016 and 2020, with a low of 13.7% of traffic fatalities involving alcohol in 2017 and a high of 14.5% in 2019.
Drivers of pickup trucks were far more likely to be found with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in fatal accidents in Indiana. In fatal accidents in 2020, drivers of pickup trucks were found to have a high BAC in 34.4% of crashes, compared to:
- Passenger vehicles: 25.0%
- SUVs: 24.6%
- Vans: 23.1%
- Motorcycles: 22.0%
Younger Drivers More Likely to Be Involved in a Collision in Indiana
The rate of collision per licensed driver in Indiana for 2020 was far higher among younger drivers. While part of this data points to the inexperience and increased likelihood of taking dangerous actions behind the wheel for young drivers other factors, another factor that must be considered is the amount of time spent on the road by these drivers.
The number of accidents per 10,000 drivers by age group in 2020 was:
- Age 15-20: 847.8
- Age 21-24: 762.9
- Age 25-34: 619.2
- Age 35-44: 500.9
- Age 45-54: 427.6
- Age 55-64: 354.0
- Age 65-74: 266.3
- Age 75+: 250.4
While the accident rate consistently drops by age group, the time spent behind the wheel for licensed drivers in these age groups generally decreases, especially in the 65-74 and 75+ groups.
Motorcyclist Deaths on the Rise in Indiana
Our Indiana motorcycle accident lawyers know the fatality rate among motorcyclists involved in accidents in Indiana has been on the rise from 2016 to 2020.
In 2016, only 28.8 of every 1,000 motorcyclists involved in crashes in Indiana were killed. However, that rate rose sharply in 2017, with 42.3 out of every 1,000 riders suffering fatal injuries. After a slight dip to 39.0 of every 1,000 riders in 2018, the rate increased to 41.5 in 2019 before hitting a five-year high of 46.9 in 2020.
Fatality Rates Are Far Higher for Pedestrians than Vehicle Occupants
Because of the limited protections available to pedestrians in the event of a car crash, the statistics of Indiana car accidents show that pedestrians are killed at a far higher rate than vehicle occupants in roadway accidents.
In 2020, 7.3% of car accidents involving pedestrians resulted in the death of the pedestrian. The fatality rate was far lower for pedal cyclists involved in traffic accidents, with only 2.6% of pedal cyclists being killed. For vehicle occupants, the rate was minimal by comparison, with only 0.3% of vehicle occupants suffering fatalities.
Speak With an Experienced Attorney If You Suffered Damages in a Car Accident
While statistics are important for understanding the overall dangers of the road, we know that accident victims are far more than numbers. If you have been harmed in an accident, the personal injury lawyers at Vaughan & Vaughan will approach your case from a human perspective, with the aim of getting you the money you need and deserve.
Our team of experienced car accident lawyers will work diligently to ensure a favorable outcome for your case. We have been serving accident victims in Indiana for over 100 years and have handled all kinds of cases. Check our case result history for statistics regarding the positive outcomes we have achieved for our clients.
Contact us today by phone or through our online contact form to schedule a free case review with a member of our legal team.
