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Each year, thousands of people are injured in car accidents across the nation. Certain cities in the U.S. are virtual breeding grounds for traffic accidents due to aging infrastructure, overpopulated roadways, and distracted drivers. Los Angeles is home to more than 3.8 million people, which could explain the large number of traffic accidents we see.
In California, more accidents that result in injuries and fatalities occur each year in Los Angeles than in any other location – about 30 a day in the City specifically. Today, we’ll review the most recent, available data to find out how many accidents happen daily in Los Angeles and which areas and roadways are most prone to crashes. We will also explore the initiatives by both city and county governments to reduce the number of accidents our city experiences.
Which County Has the Most Car Accidents in California?
It comes as no surprise that Los Angeles County tops the list for the most car accidents per county in California. Not only is LA County the most heavily populated, it is also home to more than a dozen freeways, crossing hundreds of miles and intersecting one another at complex interchanges. According to the most recent data collected in 2024, there are close to 110 accidents per day in Los Angeles County that produce injuries and/or fatalities.
Los Angeles isn’t the only problematic county in California. San Diego County, Orange County, and San Bernardino County all tally more than 10k accidents per year. In addition to holding the record for most accidents per county, Los Angeles County is also home to the most traffic accident-prone city in California.
Which City Has the Most Car Accidents?
The City of Los Angeles has the most traffic accidents per year of any other city in California. Data shows that Los Angeles has held this unfortunate title for the past 10 years. Rounding out the top three most dangerous cities for traffic accidents are San Diego and San Francisco. This is interesting because San Mateo County, the location of San Francisco, isn’t in the top three most accident prone counties.
Which Los Angeles Roadways Are the Most Dangerous?
Every city has traffic accident “hot spots.” In Los Angeles, numerous intersections and roads are problematic. The following roadways, interstates, and highways, and intersections host more accidents than others.
Interstates and Highways
- Interstate 10
- Interstate 105
- The Harbor Freeway Corridor (specifically between the 105 and 101).
- Interstate 5
- Interstate 15
- Interstate 405
- Sierra Highway
- Interstate 110
- Interstate 710
- California 138
- U.S. 101
- Route 118
- State Route 1
- Route 74
- Highway 1
- Highway 91
Local Roads
- Vermont Avenue
- Victory Boulevard
- Figueroa Street
- Florence Avenue
- Sepulveda Boulevard
Intersections
- Devonshire Street and Reseda Boulevard
- Balboa Boulevard and Nordhoff Street
- Highland Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard
- Manchester Avenue at Avalon Boulevard
- Manchester Avenue at Normandie Avenue
At MKP Law Group, LLP, we live and work in and around Los Angeles and travel these roads daily. We are familiar with the dangers these roads present, and have seen firsthand the type of devastating accidents that can happen on them.
How Many Pedestrians and Cyclists Are Hit By Cars in Los Angeles Each Day?
In 2024, there were 1,363 pedestrian accidents and 405 bike accidents on LA streets. Averaging these statistics, that’s a little over one bike accident a day, but just under four pedestrian accidents a day.
Not only is it dangerous for motorists to travel the roads in Los Angeles, it is also dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians to use the roadways. Keep in mind that not every accident produces an injury or fatality, but it happens pretty frequently.
How Many Fatal Accidents Happen in LA Every Day?
In 2024, motor vehicle accidents on Los Angeles County roadways claimed 538 lives in 502 accidents. The fatality rate averages to just under one and a half fatal accidents per day.
Why Are There So Many Car Accidents in Los Angeles, California?
Numerous factors play a role in why Los Angeles experiences so many auto accidents. For example, LA is the most heavily populated county in the United States AND has an aging infrastructure that desperately needs an overhaul. The roads themselves can be dangerous even before you add negligent drivers.
And there are a lot of negligent drivers in Los Angeles. In just the City of Los Angeles in 2024:
- 2,104 accidents involved drunk driving.
- 199 accidents were attributed to drugs of some kind.
- 399 accidents involved a distracted driver.*
- 7,249 accidents were attributed to at least one speeding driver.
*San Diego led the state for distracted drivers in 2024, but Los Angeles took the top spot for the rest.
What Can LA Residents Do to Make Roads Safer?
As Angelenos, we can all do our part to ensure our roadways are safer for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians. It starts by operating our vehicles attentively, not allowing for distractions like cell phones. Safe drivers do more than simply obey the speed limit (slow down) and follow traffic laws. Safe drivers ensure their vehicles are in good repair and that they are continually looking for cyclists and pedestrians on surface streets. Another actionable step we can take is to make use of Los Angeles’s extensive public transport system, which can help reduce the number of cars on the roads.
In addition to personal efforts, the City of Los Angeles has also implemented plans to overhaul existing infrastructure, which will include a massive restoration of city streets. This is in addition to plans that are already in progress, like:
- Expo/Crenshaw Safe Routes for Seniors Plan, which aims to improve accessibility and safety of streets and sidewalks in this accident-prone area.
- Crenshaw Boulevard Safety Improvements, which addresses pedestrian traffic and facilitates protected left-turns.
- Hoover Street Safety Improvements, which will include speed feedback signs and pedestrian walkway improvements.
These are just a few of the current initiatives the city is spearheading to reduce the number of traffic accidents in Los Angeles and protect our citizens from preventable crashes. With these initiatives and our dedication to safety as citizens, we can make Los Angeles streets safer and more usable.
Call Our Los Angeles Car Accident Lawyers for Help After Any Crash
No matter how safely you drive, you can never anticipate another driver’s actions. While you traverse the streets of Los Angeles, your odds of becoming involved in a car accident (historically) will continue to increase. If you are involved in a car accident that leaves you injured or claims the life of a loved one, you need an experienced car accident lawyer to help you recover compensation and protect your rights.
After a crash, your immediate need is to secure the safety of yourself and those around you. Once you have done so, it may be necessary to dial 9-1-1 for medical help to treat immediate injuries. Even if you do not think you are injured, you should report to the nearest clinic for a head-to-toe assessment to check for injuries that may not have immediate symptoms, like internal bleeding or whiplash.
When it is time to file a claim for your injuries and damages, contact MKP Law Group, LLP to discuss your case. We are local attorneys who understand the dangers of our city streets. We aim to help you collect the compensation you deserve so you can recover fully after your accident and move forward with your life.
