Winter Car Accident Statistics - What You Need to Know Might Surprise You!

In Michigan wintry weather makes navigating icy and snow-covered roads in a car or truck challenging for most motorists. At times, getting on the road can be treacherous and darn right scary. However, we cannot avoid driving our four-wheeled mobility friends in bad winter weather since we need to drive to work, drive to school, go to store, and other places in our busy daily lives. Recognizing the risk when you get behind the wheel of a car helps you understand how dangerous driving in the winter can be, especially if you don’t adapt you’re driving for weather conditions. Here is a brief summary of winter car accident statistics you should know.

HOW MANY CAR WRECKS OCCUR ON ICY AND SNOW-COVERED ROADS?

According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHA), over 1,300 people are estimated to have died and more than 116,800 people are hurt in motor vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement every year.

• Each year 24% of weather related motor vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement.
• Each year 15% happen during snowfall or sleet.

According to Michigan State police reporting during the 2016 to 2020 winter seasons, there were 202,232 crashes reported in Michigan on icy, snowy, or slushy roads, resulting in 370 fatalities and 2,530 suspected serious injuries.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE KILLED AND INJURED EACH YEAR IN WINTER DRIVING ACCIDENTS?  

Here are some hard statistics government and nongovernment agency statistics published by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Auto Insurance Center., and the National Highway Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA). The alarming annual averages for motor vehicle accidents involving snowy, sleet, or icy roads:

• 1,836 deaths
• 136,309 injuries

Annual averages for motor vehicle accidents that occur during snowfall or sleet:

• 900 deaths
• 76,000 injuries

WHAT ARE THE MAIN CAUSES OF WINTER DRIVING ACCIDENTS?

A number of reasons for winter accidents explain the crash statistics, but hazardous road conditions such as snow, ice, sleet, or slush contribute to must of these accidents. While it is not always possible to stay clear of skidding or keep away from slipping on ice, many accidents are caused by those who fail to modify driving behavior for winter road conditions. Here are some examples of causes of winter driving accidents:

• Driving too fast for road conditions when pavement is slippery, and visibility is reduced
• Failing to scrap snow and ice from your windshield, windows, and side-view mirrors before getting behind the wheel
• Hurry to get to destination, resulting in driver stress that increases the risk of an accident
• Following too close behind car in front without allowing at least 8 – 10 seconds to stop on a slick road
• Stopping in the middle of a traffic lane when car trouble happens
• Driving needlessly when road conditions are hazardous
• Failing to use a vehicle’s brakes properly to avoid a skid, pushing down hard on anti-lock brakes and locking up brakes
• Using cruise control in bad weather
• Accelerating too quickly on a turn or after a stopping
• Driving on bad tires that are bald, insufficiently inflated or otherwise insufficient for snowy roads
• Trying to drive through slushy roads before roads have been cleared

Recommended reading: Icy Road Accident Wrecks: How to determine Fault for a Car Accident in Snow? [+ Tips for Safer Winter Driving]

WHY LEAVE MORE DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND CAR IN FRONT OF YOU?

The math works out that leaving more distance between you and the car in front of you will:

• Gives you a better view of the road front of you.
• Gives you more time to react and stop in time if cars ahead suddenly hit the brakes.
• Helps with fuel economy – so you'll drive more smoothly and won't be using the brakes every time the

MORE WINTER DRIVING ACCIDENT STATISTICS

According to published statistics about 70% of accidental deaths that occur during the winter happen in motor vehicles.  It can take up to 10 times longer to stop on wet or icy roads than on dry pavement.

• Timely salted highways can reduce crashed crashes up 93%.
• Michigan has the ones of deadliest winter driving fatalities in the U.S., with an average of 54 deaths every winter.

HOW DO DRIVERS FEEL ABOUT DRIVING IN WINTER WEATHER?

The national insurance aggregation site The Zebra surveyed 1,500 American drivers about how they feel about driving in the winter weather. Here’s what the motorist survey showed:

• 35.1% identified that the ice scraper is the most important tool in winter.
• 46% failed to prepare their vehicles for winter driving.
• 8% kept winter emergency kits in their cars.
• 58% of those surveyed never used snow tires in the winter.
• 36% of drivers felt comfortable driving in snow accumulations of 1 – 3 inches.
• 13% feel comfortable driving in 4 – 11 inches of snow.

WHEN DO THE MOST WINTER CAR ACCIDENTS OCCUR?

In Michigan, winter contributes mostly to car crashes in December. One would think that winter is when most car accidents occur, but the truth is summer has about 30% more car accidents than wintertime, primarily because more vehicles are on the road in summer, and there are more teen drivers on the road, during school summer break. The following are the alarming facts about Michigan fatal car accidents:

• Most fatal car accidents occur in August, followed by July, October, June, and September.
• 4th of July weekend has more traffic deaths than any other holiday weekend.
• There is a greater risk of fatal auto accidents on holiday weekends when more people are traveling in cars.

WHICH MICHIGAN HIGHWAYS AND ROADS ARE MOST LIKELY ACCIDENT LOCATIONS IN WINTER?

In looking at 10 year crash data, the analysis reveals the worst highway locations where most ice and snow related accidents happen in Michigan:

• I-75 freeway from downtown Detroit to 9 Mile Road (mile marker 50 to 60)
• I-96 freeway from Novi to Livonia (mile marker 160 to 170)
• I-196 freeway from Grandville to Grand Rapids (mile marker 70 to 80)
• Route U.S. 131 through Grand Rapids (mile marker 80 to 90)
• Route U.S. 31 through Muskegon (mile marker 110 to 120)
• I-94 freeway from Detroit Metro Airport to Dearborn (mile marker 200 to 210)
• I-94 freeway near St. Joseph/Benton Harbor (mile marker 20 to 30)
• I-69 freeway between Flint and Bishop International Airport (mile marker 130 to 140)
• I-94 freeway between Lawrence and Paw Paw in Van Buren County (mile marker 50 to
• I-96 freeway from Detroit to I-275/M-14 in Plymouth (mile marker 170 to 180)

“Drive slow on ice & snow. Staying safe on winter roads means adapting your driving habits to be able to keep control of your vehicle on icy roads,” says Joseph Dedvukaj of The Joseph Dedvukaj Firm. “You should make sure to reduce your speed. “And make sure your car is has had routine maintenance done for winter, including getting a set of all season tires, and increase your following distance when roads are snow covered or icy. And, if you do have an accident, call us right away, before you talk to the insurance company,” says Joseph Dedvukaj, a personal injury car accident specialist.

OUR EXPERIENCED CAR ACCIDENT LAWYERS WILL WORK FOR YOU – CALL NOW 866-HIRE-JOE

We know from past experience that even the most careful driver can be involved in a crash, especially when the roads are icy, slick, or snow-covered. Michigan No-Fault insurance law is complicated and getting benefits paid can be perilous without a PIP lawyer. Our experienced auto accident lawyers have the experience and winning track record that you need to win the financial compensation you rightfully deserve.

Get more specific information about your case or to start your case, contact The Joseph Dedvukaj Firm or call toll free 866-HIRE-JOE for a free, no-obligation remote consultation from the safety of your home. Joseph Dedvukaj Firm Is Rated A+ at the Better Business Bureau.