Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and the state's 2nd-largest city. Unfortunately, car accidents happen every day in our City of Oaks. Read on to learn about Car Accident Statistics for Raleigh and what they can mean for you and your loved ones.
The Bishop Law Firm represents Raleigh Car Accident Injury Victims in personal injury cases. We offer free case reviews and no fee unless you win. Call us today at 919-615-3095 or start your free case review online now.
Raleigh Car Accident Statistics: 2024
Per the North Carolina Department of Transportation, in 2024, there were 16,799 car accidents in Raleigh, which resulted in 6,226 injuries and 38 deaths.
Those numbers average more than 46 car accidents and more than 17 car accident injuries per day.
Alcohol was involved in 366 of those car accidents and 11 of the fatal accidents. The 38 Raleigh deaths in 2024 also included thirteen pedestrian deaths. Also, 190 of the car accidents involved pedestrians, while 53 involved bicycle riders.
For reference, in 2024 in Charlotte, there were 32,476 car accidents, 15,388 injuries, and 140 deaths.
In Wake County from 2020 to 2024, there was an average of 103 deaths, 11,391 injuries, 256 pedestrian injuries, almost 74 bicycle accident injuries, and 253 motorcycle accident injuries per year.
In those years, there were 30,465.2 crashes in Wake County.
Also read Raleigh Car Accident Injuries.
Based on the above data from 2020 - 2024, a car crash occurs every 86 minutes in Wake County, and an injury occurs every 3.8 hours. One fatal injury occurs every 18 days.
In 2024 in North Carolina, 72% of crashes occurred between 7:00 a.m. and 6:59 p.m. Speeding was involved in 21.4% of fatal accidents.
In 2024, Thanksgiving resulted in the most holiday-related injuries, followed by the 4th of July, Labor Day, and Easter. The Thanksgiving holiday resulted in the most fatalities, followed by Easter.
Distracted driving accounted for 17% of crashes in North Carolina in 2024 (self-reported data, so the figures may not reflect the actual severity of the issue).
Distracted driving was involved in 48,015 auto accidents, 19,230 injuries, and 147 deaths in 2024.
Drivers engaging in activities such as using their phone, eating, performing personal grooming, adjusting the radio, or watching children in the back seat (NC DOI) can be distracted.
Dangerous traffic areas in Raleigh
According to WRAL and the DOT, these intersections had the most crashes in the first half of 2025 in Wake County:
| Rank | Number of crashes | Road A | Road B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 44 | I-40 | State Road 1002 (Aviation Parkway) |
| 2 | 41 | I-440 | Capital Boulevard |
| 3 | 38 | I-440 | Glenwood Avenue |
| 4 | 37 | I-440 | Wake Forest Road |
| 5 | 36 | I-40 | Saunders Street |
| 6 | 36 | I-540 | Capital Boulevard |
| 7 | 34 | Brier Creek Parkway | Glenwood Avenue |
| 8 | 33 | I-440 | Lake Boone Trail |
| 9 | 30 | Glenwood Avenue | TW Alexander Road |
| 10 | 29 | North Carolina Highway 55 | Judd Parkway |
In addition, the top 10 highest Raleigh crash locations for pedestrians and bicycle riders as of February 2025 per Vision Zero are:
- Capital Boulevard at Calvary Drive (ranked 1st statewide)
- New Bern Ave at Trawick Road (ranked 2nd statewide)
- Wake Forest Road at Ollie Street/Ronald Drive (ranked 6th statewide)
- Six Forks Road at Millbrook Road (ranked 17th statewide)
- Western Blvd at Kent Road/Method Road (ranked 20th statewide)
- Capital Boulevard at Crabtree Boulevard (ranked 21st statewide)
- Capital Boulevard at Huntleigh Drive (ranked 23rd statewide
- New Bern Avenue at Corporation Parkway (ranked 24th statewide)
- Hammond Road at Rush Street (ranked 28th statewide)
- Western Boulevard at Avent Ferry Road (ranked 35th statewide)
Also read: What not to do after a Raleigh Car Accident
Tips to Avoid Raleigh Car Accidents
Based on the data above, to reduce your chances of being involved in a car accident in Raleigh, avoid the dangerous intersections mentioned earlier, avoid driving during Raleigh holiday travel, and be extra cautious at intersections and ramps.
If possible, limit travel to between 7:00 a.m. and 6:59 p.m., and avoid speeding or driving distracted.
This would be especially relevant to those 16-19 years old, as their risk of being in a motor vehicle crash is higher (via CDC).
Also read Twenty Tips to Avoid Raleigh Car Accidents
Also, watching out for tractor-trailers or buses can help avoid accidents. Despite a commercial vehicle driver's best efforts to keep a lookout, 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 for include lane departure, swerving, visibly holding a phone, driving too fast or too slow, tailgating, sudden braking, and failure to use a turn signal, among others (via EverCare).
Avoiding car accidents at all costs and protecting yourself and your family is always the best action to take.
Please don't assume the other driver sees you or 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 Raleigh 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 also inform them about when the pain started.
- Take photos of your bodily injuries at the scene of the accident and throughout the healing process. Pictures of injuries speak volumes!
- File a claim with the at-fault party's insurance company.
- Please obtain a copy of the accident report from the police officer who was at the scene or the agency that they work for. Also read Raleigh Car Accident Reports.
- Verify that the police report is correct about what happened. If the police report is not accurate, you will need to contact the officer.
- Decide if you need a Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer to help with your case.
Also read: Twenty Steps to Take After a Raleigh Car Accident
How a Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer near you can help
If you have sustained an injury in a Raleigh 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.
Also read What does a Raleigh 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 you ensure you receive all compensation that you are entitled to. Don't rely on the insurance company to inform you of your right to recovery!
A Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer can help you achieve fair compensation and 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 & See all Raleigh car accident articles.
