Durham is the 4th largest city in North Carolina with a population of 284,094 (2022). Cities with larger populations tend to have more car accidents. Read on to learn about Car Accident Statistics for Durham and what they can mean for you and your loved ones.
The Bishop Law Firm represents Durham Car Accident Injury Victims in personal injury cases. We offer free case reviews and no fee unless you win. Call us today, 919-615-3095 or start your free case review online now.
Durham Car Accident Statistics
Durham is home to Duke University, North Carolina Central University, Duke University Health System, Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina, and the Durham Bulls. Needless to say, basketball, education and healthcare are important to "The Bull City".
Durham's close proximity to RTP, Raleigh and Cary make it an ideal place to live for commuters. But according to Durham Economic Development, Aisin, BCBSNC, and Wolfspeed are all major employers located in Durham.
North Carolina Highways 147, 1-40, I-885, 85, 15/501 and 55 all have contact with Durham. Most highways tend to have higher speed limits and while studies have shown that more accidents occur on rural roads, the deadliest accidents occur on roads with higher speed limits (i.e., highways).
The population of Durham has a median age of 34.7 years. In addition, as discussed above, Durham is home to two major colleges which means younger, more inexperienced drivers are on the road. Inexperienced drivers are more likely to have car accidents.
In 2022, per the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT), there were 8,864 crashes in Durham with 24 fatalities and 3,312 injuries. Alcohol was involved in 265 of the crashes and 7 fatalities. 110 pedestrians and 31 bicyclists were injured as well.
From 2018-2022, Durham County had an average of 32 fatalities and 3,823 car crash injuries per year. In addition, an average of 29 bicycle and 66 motorcycle accident injuries occurred each year.
According to CBS17, the areas with the most crashes in Durham from 2017-2021 where:
- I-40 at N.C. 55
- I-40 at SR1118
- I-85 at U.S. 15 BUS/Roxboro Road
- I-85 at N.C. 157
- US 70 at N.C. 98
- I-40 at N.C. 54
- I-40 at U.S. 15
- I-85 at N.C. 55
- US 15 at N.C. 147
- NC 55 at N.C. 147
Despite the fact that parts of Durham are becoming less rural (Ellis Road for example), Durham still has its share of rural roads.
Unfortunately, studies have been completed that show that North Carolina has some of the most dangerous rural roads in America. "The state has 70.45 accidents for every billion miles driven. Another interesting statistic is that 44.3% of these crashes occur on roads with a 55 mph speed limit. That’s 64.7% higher than the national average which is 26.9%" (via WBAV).
According to the Charlotte Observer, the most dangerous time of day to drive in North Carolina is from 6-7 p.m.; Saturday was the most dangerous day and June is the most dangerous month.
Also read Four Most Dangerous NC Drivers and NC Distracted Drivers
Tips to Avoid Durham Car Accidents
Based on the data above, as a broad generalization, if you want to reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident in Durham, avoid the above mentioned locations, avoid being on the road from 6-7 p.m., and try to avoid Saturday traffic if you can.
Also read Twenty Tips to Avoid Car Accidents
Also, watching out for pedestrians, motorcycles, tractor trailers and buses can help avoid accidents. Despite a commercial vehicle drivers' best efforts to keep a look out, we do know that large vehicles have large blind spots (via FMCSA).
Distracted driving is problematic for all North Carolina drivers. While a fellow driver may be driving distracted, keeping a close lookout for distracted driving behaviors can prevent you from being hurt due to their negligence.
Distracted driving behaviors to watch out for can include lane departure, swerving, visibly holding a phone, driving too fast or too slow, tailgating, sudden braking and failure to use a turn signal, to name a few (via EverCare).
Avoiding car accidents at all costs and protecting yourself and your family is always the best action to take. Don't assume that the other driver sees you or that they will do the right thing. Putting your life in the hands of someone else is never a good idea.
What to do if you have been involved in a Durham Car Accident
- After an accident, always call 911 and report motor vehicle accidents. If you do not report the accident, the at-fault party can say that the accident did not really occur.
- Be courteous to the at-fault party. Mistakes happen and you do not want to take any action that will diminish your position as a victim.
- Take photos of your car and the at-fault parties' car if you can at the scene.
- Seek immediate medical treatment after the accident or tell the officer you need EMS.
- Follow all medical advice.
- If you are in pain, you need to report that pain to your medical providers and inform them about when the pain started.
- Take photos of your bodily injuries when the accident first occurred and throughout the healing process. Photos of injuries speak volumes!
- File a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company.
- Obtain a copy of the accident report from the police officer who was at the scene or the agency that they work for. You can access accident reports online at the Durham Police Department (DPD). Their phone number is 919-560-4600.
- Verify that the police report is correct about what happened. If the police report is not correct, you will need to contact the officer.
- Decide if you need a Durham Car Accident Lawyer to help with your case.
Also read: Twenty Steps to Take After Car Accident
How a Durham Car Accident Lawyer can help
If you have sustained an injury in a motor vehicle accident that was not your fault, under North Carolina Law, you can recover the cost of your medical expenses, lost wages and pain & suffering. If a physician determines that you will need future medical care and resulting missed time from work, you can also be compensated for those future needs as well.
Also read What does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
If the at-fault party was willful or malicious, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. An attorney can help ensure you receive all the compensation to which you are entitled. Don't rely on the insurance company to inform you of your rights to recovery.
A Durham Car Accident Lawyer can help you achieve fair compensation and help you negotiate with the insurance adjuster. If the insurance adjuster will not offer a fair settlement, a car accident attorney can help you decide if litigation is the correct choice for your case and then navigate your case through the North Carolina courts.
The Bishop Law Firm is a contingent fee law firm which means that we do not get paid unless we win and we offer free case reviews. Call us today, 919-615-3095, or start your free case review online now.
Also read North Carolina Car Accident Lawyer & Durham Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
