When you look at fatal car accident statistics, there are certainly some clear trends. You can find specific days or times when the risk is greatest. This doesn’t mean that an accident can’t happen at any time, but simply that you can make a judgment call about your risk level – when that crash is statistically most likely – if you’re getting in the car.
What studies have discovered is that fatal car accidents tend to spike on the weekends. Saturday is the most dangerous day of all. Non-fatal crashes, on the other hand, tend to happen more between Monday and Friday.
Why does this happen?
One of the major reasons why this occurs is just that weekends are when people tend to drink and drive the most. More people are going to bars, restaurants and clubs on the weekends. Often, these fatal drunk driving accidents happen very late at night. Drunk driving makes the roads more dangerous because every vehicle you pass could potentially be an impaired driver.
Does the time of day matter?
Yes, the studies did identify certain times of day at which fatal accidents happen most often. But they change depending on the time of year. For instance, if it’s the summer or the spring, then the odds of a fatality are highest from 8:00 PM to midnight. If it’s the winter, however, fatal accidents are more likely between 4:00 PM and 8:00 PM. It appears that longer daylight hours have an impact on when fatal crashes take place.
Have you lost a loved one in an accident caused by another driver? You may be able to seek compensation for funeral costs, medical bills, lost earnings and more.