Louisiana Car Accident Statistics

Car accidents in Louisiana remain a serious public safety concern, with thousands of crashes occurring each year. In 2024, Louisiana recorded 652 fatal crashes, resulting in 699 fatalities, according to data from LSU’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety. This reflects a 13.8% decrease in fatalities compared to 2023’s 811 deaths, signaling a notable but insufficient improvement.

In addition to fatal incidents, 37,306 suspected injury crashes were reported in 2024, an average of 102.2 injury crashes per day. 

These injury statistics from auto accident statistics serve as a stark reminder to always drive safely in Louisiana and avoid becoming one of the thousands of people impacted by car crashes that cause injuries and wrongful deaths on our highways, byways, and other roads.

Causes of Louisiana Car Accidents

Where might this marked increase in accident frequency originate? Experts believe that distracted driving, as well as driving impaired by alcohol and drugs, are the biggest drivers behind the spike in Louisiana. The source for these statistics is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)’s report.

Drunk Driving Accidents

In 2023, alcohol-related crashes accounted for 30.1% of all motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana, resulting in an estimated 244 fatalities. This marks a 13.3% decrease from 2022, the lowest recorded since 2020. However, distracted and drunk driving stats continue to show these behaviors are among the most dangerous on the road.

The Rise of Distracted Driving

Distracted driving continues to be a major cause of car accidents in Louisiana. According to a 2024 cell phone usage analysis, Louisiana now ranks third in the nation for distracted driving rates. While impaired driving remains a well-known hazard, experts are now seeing distracted driving surpass it in frequency and danger. 

Speeding Is a Major Driver of Crash Deaths

Speeding is also a major cause of car crashes: nearly one-third of all crash deaths are the direct result of exceeding the speed limit on Louisiana roads. While it might be easy to speed, given our highways’ relative flatness and straightness, it’s important to remember that speed limits are posted for everyone’s safety, and we ignore them at our peril.

The Majority of Crashes Involve One Driver

Surprisingly, 57% of all traffic accidents in Louisiana involve a single vehicle—collisions with trees, barriers, or ditches. These figures from recent car crash data challenge common assumptions about how most accidents occur.

The Importance of Wearing a Seat Belt on Every Drive

Seat belts have been a required feature on every vehicle in the United States since the 1980s.  Even though they’re proven to prevent deadly injury during a crash, some people still refuse to wear them at their peril. In 2019, over half of all people were killed in a car crash due to not wearing a seat belt, underlining the importance of buckling up.

Louisiana Car Accidents Happen in Both Rural and Urban Areas

Whether you’re driving in the city or the country, make sure to drive safely: car crash deaths were about equal in both urban and rural areas in 2019 in our state. Of course, each type of area has different dangers: while you’re less likely to experience a pile-up on a country road, you might be at a higher risk of speeding or other accidents.

Don’t Be an Accident Statistic: Get Gordon Today

If you have been the victim of a car accident in Louisiana, you need a representative for your interests against those of the other driver and their insurance company. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys are passionate advocates for our clients’ needs, and we’ve recovered over $3 billion over the years to help our clients heal.

Don’t be a victim twice after a car accident: your insurance will try to quiet you with the smallest settlement possible, but your injuries require more than the minimum to heal properly. Call Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys today at 888.371.3190 for a free consultation as to your legal options. The G Guarantee is our promise that you pay us nothing until we win your case.tarted, and we don’t get paid unless we win- that’s our G Guarantee.