Santa Ana is one of the most dangerous cities in America for drivers. It ranks 174th out of 200 cities in Allstate’s America’s Best Drivers Report. It earned this ranking because vehicle owners in Santa Ana file car accident claims every 7.2 years on average, while the typical American only files claims every 10.6 years.
Since drivers in Santa Ana file claims roughly 1.5 times more often than other U.S. drivers, you should know how and when these crashes happen. Santa Ana, CA, car accident statistics will help you understand your risks when driving in the city. When these risks turn into accidents, Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers is there to assist.
If you need legal help, contact our firm at (714) 263-3700 for a free case review.
How Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Collision in Santa Ana, CA
Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers represents accident victims in Santa Ana, California, against negligent parties and their insurers. Our attorneys have successfully recovered millions in financial compensation for the firm’s clients.
Our Santa Ana car accident lawyers can provide the following services if you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions:
- Reviewing your case and helping you understand your rights and options
- Collecting evidence, including medical records and crash reports
- Negotiating for a fair settlement based on your losses
- Representing you in court if insurers and at-fault parties refuse to settle
Your injuries can threaten your health and diminish your quality of life. Contact our Santa Ana personal injury lawyers for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you recover fair compensation for your car crash injuries.
How Safe Are Santa Ana’s Roads?
According to California’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS) summary, traffic accidents in Santa Ana injured or killed 1,558 people per year over the past five years. This number places the city in the middle of the pack compared to similar-sized cities like Riverside, Chula Vista, and Irvine.
However, the news isn’t all positive. According to the SWITRS summary, the number of people injured or killed has increased every year since 2020. Even more shocking, 2023’s total is more than four times as high as 2019’s. Thus, Santa Ana’s roads are becoming more dangerous at a rapid rate.
Car Accident Statistics For Santa Ana, California
Over the past five years, Santa Ana has averaged about 1,095 traffic crashes per year that caused injury or death.
This number includes:
- Single-vehicle crashes
- Multi-vehicle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
In 2023, Santa Ana saw 1,772 traffic accidents that caused injury or death. This number is well above the five-year average and the total for 2022. Specifically, the total crashes that caused injury or death grew by over 13% between 2022 and 2023.
Traffic Injuries and Deaths
In 2022, car accidents in Santa Ana caused:
- 18 fatal injuries
- 85 severe injuries
- 2,379 minor and possible injuries
The injury classification system California uses is based on the KABCO scale defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation. In California, a severe injury includes:
- Broken bones
- Dislocated or distorted limbs
- Severe lacerations
- Unconsciousness
These injuries must be severe enough for the victim to need to be transported from the scene. In other words, severe injuries prevent victims from driving themselves to the hospital.
By contrast, minor injuries can include:
- Bruises causing discoloration or swelling
- Visible symptoms of trauma, such as a black eye or bloody nose
- Abrasions
- Minor lacerations
Possible injuries cause symptoms without producing visible injuries. The symptoms of a possible injury can include:
- Pain
- Confusion
- Loss of balance
- Limping
- Brief loss of consciousness
Law enforcement personnel assess injury severity at the accident scene. As a result, the statistics don’t include those who reported no injuries at the scene but developed symptoms later. For example, concussion symptoms result from changes in the brain that typically take hours or even days to develop.
Vulnerable Road Users
Santa Ana crashes affect all road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2022, fatal crashes killed 13 pedestrians. Although no cyclists were killed that year, the city averages about two fatal bike accidents per year.
Traffic accidents involving these vulnerable road users also caused the following injuries:
- 21 serious injuries to pedestrians
- 112 minor and possible injuries to pedestrians
- Six serious injuries to cyclists
- 102 minor and possible injuries to cyclists
Of the 146 pedestrian crashes in 2022, 13 involved seniors, and 17 affected children. Thus, roughly 21% of pedestrians injured or killed that year were seniors or children, while 79% involved working-age adults.
The Most Common Crash Causes
Traffic crashes in California usually result from unsafe driving behaviors. According to CHP’s most recent Quick Crash Facts, speeding contributed to more than 27% of fatal and injury crashes in 2020, making it a leading cause of accidents. Other common causes included failing to yield at intersections, disobeying signs and signals, and making improper turns.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Santa Ana Car Accident Attorneys
A car accident in Santa Ana can cause serious or even fatal injuries. Contact Robles Babaee Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to learn about your options for seeking compensation.