Shocking Car Accident Statistics in Lucas County

Lucas County may be the fourth-smallest county in Ohio, but its size doesn’t decrease the potential for deadly and injury-causing car accidents. Three major interstates, along with bypasses and spurs, converge near Toledo, which encompasses multiple trucking and shipping facilities. Plus, Lucas County is situated east of Lake Erie and southeast of the Maumee River, making it a popular destination for tourists. As a result, the Car accident statistics in Lucas County reveal that the risk of auto collisions are just as likely here than in any other part of the Buckeye State.

As a veteran Ohio personal injury law firm, Kisling, Nestico & Redick has compiled the most recent Lucas County car accident statistics to highlight areas of concern and promote safe driving behaviors. However, if you sustained an injury in a car accident in Lucas County, caused by another party’s negligence, contact our Toledo personal injury lawyers today. You have rights as a victim, and we’re here to help enforce them.

Call 1-800-HURT-NOW or submit the details online to schedule a free, no-risk consultation.

Lucas County Fatal Traffic Crashes

The Ohio State Highway Patrol analyzed fatal traffic accidents in Lucas County from 2015 to 2017. The number of fatal car accidents increased from 32 in 2015 to 43 in 2017. Though the figure dropped to 33 in 2018, the statistics show that the threat of deadly collisions is still quite pervasive.

With respect to drunk driving, 16 of the 43 fatal traffic accidents in 2017 were the result of Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs or OVIs. The total number of victims was higher, as 22 people lost their lives in crashes involving alcohol.

Beyond this general overview, specific Lucas County car crash statistics on trends, causes, and other factors demonstrate just how deadly these incidents can be. For instance:

• The ring created by I-475 and Maumee River is prone to fatal accidents. Compared to the total number of deadly collisions throughout Lucas County, 33% occurred in 2018, and 39% happened in 2018.
• The northeast quadrant of Lucas County also tends to be quite dangerous. The area is bisected by I-75 and I-280, and heavily trafficked State Route 24/Anthony Wayne Trail runs through the region. In 2018, 18 out of a total of 33 fatal accidents occurred here.
• The months that see the highest frequency of deadly collisions are August, September, and October, at 30.2%. Almost half of all fatal crashes occur over the weekend, at 48.6% over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• The overwhelming majority of deadly auto crashes in Lucas County happen on city roadways. On average, 76.8% of all fatal accidents have occurred in urban areas from 2016 through year-to-date 2019.
• The top contributing causes of deadly collisions include failure to control the vehicle, improper lane change, failure to yield, and speeding.

Injury-Causing Auto Crashes in Lucas County

As with fatal car accidents, you can gain perspective on injury-causing vehicle collisions in Lucas County by reviewing specific statistics:

On average, there are just over 4,000 accidents per year that cause injuries to at least one person in Lucas County. That amounts to about 27.5 % of all crashes. Many cause injuries to multiple individuals. The average number of victims hurt in these collisions is 6,127 annually.

A Closer Look at Accidents Involving Injuries

Breaking it down, you can see certain trends start to develop.

• More than 71% of all injury-causing accidents in Lucas County occur in Toledo.
• In 29.4% of crashes involving injuries, a contributing factor is following too closely.
• Other top contributing causes to accidents involving injuries include one driver’s failure to yield and failure to control the vehicle.
• The most common type of crash that causes injuries to occupants of the vehicle is a rear-end collision. More than 30% of accidents occur in this fashion, and angled crashes are second at 28% of all injury-causing incidents.

Also, the statistics show that distracted driving continues to be a serious problem in Lucas County and throughout Ohio. Driver distractions include using a phone, texting, emailing, as well as interacting with such electronic communications devices as a GPS or radio. The Ohio Department of Transportation reports that:

• The number of distracted driving accidents that caused serious injuries to victims has varied widely in the last few years. In 2016, there were 116 such incidents, followed by 138 in 2017 and 104 in 2018.
• Of all vehicle collisions involving serious accidents, distracted driving was a contributing factor in 35.6%.

The Most Hazardous Intersections in Lucas County

The city of Toledo discovered that some of the most hazardous intersections in Lucas County are streets crossing State Route 24/Anthony Wayne Trail in Maumee, OH, including Interstate 475. The number of accidents at Anthony Wayne Trail & I-475, which is considered the most dangerous intersection, rose from 63 in 2016 to 73 in 2017. However, the total number of crashes in the 10 most hazardous intersections listed above decreased from 262 in 2016 to 254 in 2017.

Other dangerous intersections along State Route 24/Anthony Wayne Trail include:

• Conant Street;
• Michigan Avenue;
• Monclova Road;
• Key Street; and,
• Ford Street.

Maumee is home to additional byways where fatal and injury-causing accidents tend to occur:

• Dussel Drive and Reynolds Road;
• Conant Street and Holland Road;
• Russell Road and Fallen Timbers Lane; and,
• Dussel Drive and Ford Street.

In Toledo, OH, the most hazardous areas are Downtown and Center City, especially during events at the Huntington Center and SeaGate Convention Centre. Tremainsville Road, running through the Deveaux, and Wernerts Corners neighborhoods, also tends to be quite dangerous. The intersections with West Alexis Road and West Laskey Road can be treacherous due to heavy congestion during morning and evening rush hour.

Another dangerous area for car accidents in Lucas County is the I-75 exit at State Route 65/Miami Avenue. The light at the end of the ramp causes traffic to back up onto the interstate, and drivers approaching at high speeds aren’t prepared to slow down.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Lucas County

If you are involved in a car accident in Lucas County, your first priority should be to seek appropriate medical care. Life-threatening injuries require immediate attention, so visit the emergency room if you’re bleeding excessively, suffered trauma to internal organs, lost consciousness, sustained a head injury, or are experiencing respiratory issues. Options in Toledo include ProMedica Toledo Hospital, Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, and Mercy-Health St. Anne Hospital. In other parts of Lucas County, you can visit St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee or ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania.

For less serious injuries, it may be appropriate to seek medical treatment at an urgent care center. Examples include minor bone fractures, bruising, lacerations, whiplash, strains, sprains, and related injuries. If you need medical care, but it’s not an emergency, an urgent care facility is a viable option.

Specifically, Greater Toledo Urgent Cares have four facilities throughout the city, as well as centers in Waterville and Rossford. Northwest Ohio Urgent Care Center has two locations, in Toledo and Maumee.

In addition, follow these steps to ensure your rights are protected.

• Remain calm: While it’s easier said than done, remaining calm after a collision is vital. It can help you think clearly and take the proper steps.
• Call the police: When the police arrive at the scene of the crash, they will ask you, and the other parties involved several questions, and create a car accident report, which will outline the details of what happened.
• Collect information: Ask all the drivers, passengers, and witnesses involved in the crash for their names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, and insurance details. Since your chances of obtaining this information decrease once you leave the scene, it’s vital to do this right after the accident happens.
• Don’t apologize: Avoid saying you’re sorry or stating that the crash was your fault. Doing so may hurt your case in the future, especially if the accident was the result of someone else’s negligence.
• Document the accident scene: Use your phone or a camera to take photos of the accident scene. Be sure to capture street signs, weather conditions, and vehicle damage.
• Speak to a Lucas County car accident attorney: Rather than speaking to insurance companies, reach out to an attorney who can help you determine liability and file a claim.

Injured in a Lucas County Car Accident? Call KNR

If you’ve suffered from an injury in a Lucas County car crash, it is in your best interest to consult the highly skilled Lucas County and Toledo car accident lawyers at KNR right away. We may be able to help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Call 1-800-HURT-NOW today or complete our online form. We offer free initial consultations where we can advise you regarding your rights and legal options.