Fatal car accidents can devastate families and their communities. Modesto is known for its busy intersections and tourist-dotted downtown roads, however, the fatal car accident statistics reveal a lesser-known reality of the largest city in Stanislaus County.

At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto, we’ve taken a deeper look at fatal accidents in our city to help drivers understand the prevalence and causes of fatal accidents and hopefully promote safer driving practices.

How Many Fatal Car Accidents Occur Each Year in Modesto?

With a population of over 200,000, Modesto ranked near the top 20 cities in California with the most fatal car accidents, according to California’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Record System (SWITRS). As a city known for its year-round warm weather and popular tourist attractions, Modesto’s roads see significant traffic from locals and out-of-town visitors alike.

According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, Modesto ranks as the third most dangerous city in California, concerning accident injuries and fatalities. The combination of dense population centers, congested highways, and diverse driving habits from visitors contribute to the city’s elevated risk on the roadways.

Taking a look at the traffic data provided by California’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS), Modesto has seen a steady increase in fatal traffic accidents since 2019. While we await the 2023 data to come in, the graph below reveals the uptick in the city’s fatal car accidents from 2019 to 2022.

While the number of fatalities may underscore the need for more driving safety measures, the number of crashes with serious injuries may cause you to reconsider. According to TIMS, there were around 1,500 total crashes in Modesto in 2022 alone, leaving 2,172 people with serious injuries. It is important to note that TIMS only accounts for accidents where there were injuries involved, so the following numbers do not reflect every vehicle collision in Modesto. The graph below shows how vehicle accidents have become more prevalent over the years in Modesto.

Hit and Run Statistics in Modesto

In a state with over 35 million residents, 19,000 of them will be injured every year in a hit-and-run accident, according to the OTS. This may seem like a small number, but if you break it down, that number equates to around 52 people per day and more than two people every hour being injured in a hit-and-run accident in California.

An even more surprising statistic, however, is that the city of Modesto ranks in the top 5 cities for the most hit-and-run accidents. The unfortunate reality behind this statistic is that there are more injured victims and families of people who are killed in these hit-and-run accidents than almost anywhere else in California. This leaves a staggering amount of Modesto families who are unable to identify the at-fault driver and find closure for their loss.

Unfortunately, when residents of Modesto are unable to identify the at-fault driver in a hit-and-run, it makes it difficult to file an insurance claim to pursue compensation. As you can see in the graph above, hit-and-run accidents occur at an alarming rate in Modesto, and people who suffer because of them are too often unaware of how to enforce their legal rights. At Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto, we will advise you on the necessary steps to file a lawsuit and seek damages in court after a hit-and-run accident in Modesto.

DUI Accident Statistics in Modesto

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI) is a serious problem in Modesto, impacting safety and public health. Despite strict laws prohibiting operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of over .08 such as California Vehicle Code Section 23152,  DUI incidents continue to occur at a high rate in Modesto. According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety, Modesto is the second-highest-ranking city in California for DUI accidents. Below is a look at drunk driving accidents in Modesto over the past four years.

DUI incidents affect not only the at-fault drivers but other road users as well. In 2022, there were over 100,000 DUI-related crashes in California, resulting in over 2,000 fatalities, according to California’s Office of Traffic Safety 2022 annual report. These numbers highlight the incredibly high human and societal cost of DUI incidents. Below you can see how common accidents involving intoxicated drivers in Modesto are when compared to typical vehicle collisions.

Legal Help for Modesto Families

Although fatal car accidents are widespread across California, the statistics show that Modesto drivers are at a much higher risk than most. Drivers who are speeding, not paying attention, or driving while intoxicated make the road a dangerous place for all of us. Fortunately, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family in Modesto.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to a fatal car accident, the Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto can secure you and your family’s right to compensation. Our firm offers a free consultation to families impacted by fatal accidents. We will evaluate your case and take the necessary steps to recover funeral costs, pain and suffering, as well as all costs associated with your hardship. Don’t wait until it’s too late to take legal action.

Contact Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto today for a confidential case review.