Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto represents those hurt in car accidents across the city. You can be in a car accident at any time, so it’s helpful to look at the available data to be better prepared. From there, our Modesto car accident lawyers can help you. Contact us today to set up a free, no-obligation consultation.
Car Accidents in Modesto and Stanislaus County
As the county seat and largest city in Stanislaus County, Modesto sees its fair share of car accidents every year. Data from the California Highway Patrol’s Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS) found that over the past five years, both Modesto and other cities in Stanislaus County have averaged the following number of car accidents involving serious injury or a fatality per year:
- Modesto – 104.8
- Turlock – 26.8
- Ceres – 16.8
- Oakdale – 7.2
- Stanislaus County – 366.4
Modesto traffic may not compare to the madness of L.A. rush hours, but the data shows that there are still quite a few serious collisions throughout the year. In fact, TIMS data found that there were:
- 1,282 total car accidents involving any sort of injury in the city in 2023.
Because every accident is different, it can be hard to pinpoint an exact cause or reason they happen. However, there’s a few common actions that frequently lead to these accidents:
- Texting while driving or other distractions
- Driving while intoxicated
- Reckless driving and speeding
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Failing to yield to pedestrians or bicyclists
- Unsafe lane changes
While it’s true that these actions usually cause many of the car accidents in Modesto, there’s other factors in play–most notably road conditions and the city’s traffic patterns.
When Do Most Car Accidents Happen in Modesto?
It’s not complicated to see why car accidents happen, especially when you consider things like distractions or driving under the influence. Yet, while these things happen frequently, they’re more likely to happen at certain times. 2023 TIMS data showed that the most common time of day for an accident in Modesto was:
- Between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., which saw 295 accidents.
This timeframe obviously correlates with evening rush hour, when many people in the city are traveling home from work or picking up their children from school. But looking at the particular days of the week, the data showed the following:
- Monday – 202 accidents
- Tuesday – 205 accidents
- Wednesday – 198 accidents
- Thursday – 188 accidents
- Friday – 208 accidents
- Saturday – 151 accidents
- Sunday – 130 accidents
As you can see, the most accidents happened on Friday. This isn’t all that surprising, as that’s the day of the week where people are simultaneously tired from the previous week of work or school, combined with excitement and anticipation for the weekend and weekend trips.
Fatal Car Accidents in Modesto
One of the most difficult things about a car accident is that any one of them can end up leaving you or someone you’re with seriously injured. In the worst case scenario, your injuries can be fatal. According to TIMS, the last five years have seen an average of:
- 16. 6 fatal car accidents per year.
Broken down by year, this equals out to:
- 2019 – 13
- 2020 – 19
- 2021 – 20
- 2022 – 16
- 2023 – 15
What makes this worse is that any car accident you’re in carries this risk, as the data lays out. Some of the most common fatal injuries in these accidents include things like:
- Brain or head injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Chest injuries
- Internal organ damage or bleeding
- Broken bones or fractures
- Burns or smoke inhalation
And it’s not just about injuries. It’s about the kind of accident you’re in.
What’s the Most Common Type of Car Accident in Modesto?
No matter what you’re doing behind the wheel in Modesto, you can be in any number of different types of accidents. TIMS data found that, between 2019 and 2023, the most common types of car accidents in the city were:
- Broadside collisions – 2,904
- Rear-end collisions – 1,561
- Sideswipe – 556
- Pedestrian collision – 494
- Head-on collision – 460
- Rollover – 95
Regardless of the type of accident, the outcome–injuries and damage–can happen at the worst times. Here’s what you should always do if you’re in a car accident to protect your legal rights:
- Call 911 and get medical help – Your health comes first. After the accident, check yourself for injuries and call 911 for the police and an ambulance. Even if you feel okay, some injuries might not show up right away due to adrenaline. Get checked by medical professionals at the scene and seek further care at a hospital or urgent care if needed.
- Exchange information – Once you’re safe, exchange contact and insurance details with others involved and any witnesses. If you’re unsure how to do this, the police can assist you.
- Collect any evidence – If it’s safe, use your phone to take pictures or videos of the scene, including any damage to your car and any injuries you notice. Also, capture other important details like skid marks or road defects.
- Be honest – Be honest and stick to the facts when talking to the police or insurance company. Lying or exaggerating won’t help your case.
It can be scary being in a car accident, but it’s important to take the right steps and have the right guidance.
Experienced Modesto Car Accident Lawyers
A car accident in Modesto can be overwhelming, leaving you unsure about what to do next. Our experienced team of car accident lawyers at Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers of Modesto will be there to help. We’ll guide you through the legal process and help you understand your options for recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the process started.