When do most car accidents happen?
Car Accident - January 14, 2026 by Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates
When do most car accidents happen? Day to day, we see more crashes during high-traffic times of the work week. Understanding the day of the week or time of the day you’re most vulnerable can help you stay alert, but it may not protect you from a negligent driver.
If you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else, the Gurnee car accident attorney from Horwitz, Horwitz, & Associates can help you recover compensation for the damages you have suffered.
National Safety Council Car Crash Statistics
The National Safety Council (NSC) keeps records of car crash data along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The data is typically comparable between the two agencies. While both agencies report similar trends, the NSC regularly reports higher numbers when compared to the NHTSA.
The most recent report on car crashes reveals the rates for specific times of day and days of the week.
Fatal car crashes
The highest number of fatal car accidents occurred between 8 pm and midnight on Saturdays. This is closely followed by midnight to 4am on Sundays. This spike is likely due to people who go out on Saturday nights and drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or without adequate sleep.
Monday through Friday, the most deadly times are between 4pm and 8pm, during the evening rush hours.
Non-fatal crashes
When it comes to non-fatal crashes, it isn’t surprising to see that the majority of them happen Monday through Friday between 4 pm and 7 pm. Again, this corresponds with people trying to get home from work after a long day. People are more likely to be agitated and hungry at this time of day, and more tired and less alert. All of these factors contribute to higher accident rates.
Crashes by month
In the most recent reporting year, the NSC shows that March and December saw some of the highest crash days. While months like April and July seemed to have lower numbers. Some reports show that accident rates increase in the summer months.
NSC’s most deadly day
In the most recent reporting year, the NSC reports that Saturday, October 21, was the most deadly day with 174 fatalities from accidents.
Contributing factors for high accident times
Looking at the numbers can tell us when to be alert, but understanding how environmental factors affect these numbers is what can keep us safe. Lake County has nearly 500,000 registered drivers on the roads. This does not include people who may be passing through or who frequently visit Gurnee roads, even if they live in a neighboring county.
The data clearly shows that drivers are able to safely navigate their morning routes, but the evening trips seem to be more challenging when drivers are irritated or mentally worn out from the day. During the evening trips, it is likely that drivers just aren’t at full capacity. Drivers are often ready to be home to eat dinner or spend time with their families, which can make them more impulsive and less patient.
Late-night weekend crashes often involve drivers who are under the influence or haven’t had enough sleep. Some early morning accidents may happen because drivers don’t realize they’re still impaired, even after a few hours of rest.
As for the spike in summer accidents, that may be due to more people traveling for vacation, along with a rise in aggressive driving and road rage during warmer months.
Common causes of Gurnee car accidents
More drivers on the road means more opportunities for an accident to occur. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to yield
- Following too closely
- Driving under the influence
Many people become frustrated when they are stuck crawling along below the posted speed limit. The stop-and-go of traffic can make people careless and lead to small fender benders or multi-vehicle accidents caused by someone who collides with the back of a car, pushing them into the motor vehicle in front of them.
Call a personal injury attorney with Horwitz, Horwitz, & Associates today
Whether your accident happened in the middle of rush hour or at noon on a Tuesday, you may benefit from working with a personal injury attorney. Auto accidents can have serious consequences, and you should not be left to deal with the consequences alone.
At Horwitz, Horwitz, and Associates, we are here to support you in your goal to hold the responsible parties accountable and recover the compensation you need to cover your losses. You do not have to do this alone, so call us today at (800) 985-1819, or you can contact us online to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options.
