Chicago Accident Statistics 2025

As a city that highly favors public transportation, it’s often easy to forget just how dangerous Chicago roads really are. According to the latest data, Chicago drivers suffer from more accidents than those in New York, Los Angeles, and even Detroit.

To make matters worse, the number of fatalities and injuries that result are often compounded by the fact that many of Chicago’s most dangerous roads are in areas where pedestrians (particularly children) are frequently present.

Power Rogers has compiled the latest Chicago accident statistics for 2025 to help you understand the risks, key tips for avoiding accidents in Chicago, and what to do if you’ve been involved in a collision.

Overview of Chicago Traffic Accidents

Data from the Chicago Data Portal shows that the city saw a total of 112,006 car crashes in 2024, placing the year third for most crashes since the city first began recording data in 2015. These crashes resulted in 124 total fatalities, and while the total number of crashes has been overshadowed by a few other recent years, the total number of injuries—25,692—is substantially higher than any other year in Chicago’s history.

Perhaps the most intriguing (and potentially concerning) aspect of the data is how volatile the number of crashes was this year compared to others. Over the years, seeing spikes in the number of crashes is somewhat normal—factors such as icy weather, school being in session, and tourism trends, create upticks in the data. However, the fluctuation of low and high crash numbers by month was significantly abnormal in 2024 when looking at other years.

For example, when looking at the total number of car crashes per month over the past decade, 2024 had both the highest and lowest monthly totals than any other year in recent history. May 2024 saw the highest number of crashes in any month on record, while February 2024 saw the lowest number of crashes compared to any other month since March 2021. These figures not only point to the frightening unpredictability of crash reports, but also the unnerving realization that Chicago’s crash statistics are trending upward at a fastened rate.

Year-Over-Year Accident Trends and Patterns

While many efforts have been made by the city to curb the number of car accidents in Chicago, the data for 2024 shows that we still have a long way to go. While the number of crashes in 2024 was far lower than in other years like 2018 and 2019, the data appears to be trending steadily upward since 2022.

Most concerning is the fact that 2024 set a new record for injuries sustained in accidents, with over 2,200 more injuries than the previous record in 2023. Below is an overview of Chicago crash data by year. Note that the earliest data may be lower due to less comprehensive reporting during those periods.

Top Causes of Crashes in Chicago

Now that we’ve gone over the numbers, it’s important to also address the causes. Chicago’s infamous weather is responsible for a decent amount of car accidents in the Windy City, but unfortunately, far more are caused by much more avoidable factors such as reckless driving, speeding, and driving under the influence. While the city has increased efforts to correct these issues, there is still a long way to go.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving was the primary cause of accident-related deaths in 2023, accounting for 84% of the fatalities in Chicago. Some examples of reckless driving behavior include speeding and running stop signs or traffic signals. In 2024, reckless driving was reported as the primary cause of 1,254 accidents.

Driving Under the Influence

Compared to a few other states, DUI incidents in Illinois are moderate, though the number of deaths that result from DUIs should not be ignored. In 2023, 294 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes across Illinois, accounting for about 23% of all crash fatalities that year. In 2024, Chicago alone saw 530 crashes caused by drivers who were under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, around 3.3% of crashes in Illinois in 2022 involved distracted driving. This may seem a small number, but considering that 2022 saw over 298,000 total crashes, that amounts to over 9,800 crashes involving distracted drivers. In Chicago in 2024, 867 crashes were caused by drivers who were using their cell phones or were distracted by something else within their vehicle.

Where Do Collisions Happen Most Often in Chicago?

Statistically speaking, the Central Business District, the West Side, and the South Side are all the most likely areas for collisions. The city’s data portal contains deeper information on the specific streets that see the most car accidents. In 2024 these included:

1. Western Avenue: In 2024, drivers on Western Avenue witnessed a whopping 3,104 accidents resulting in 717 injuries and 2 fatalities, more than any other street in Chicago. However, while the number of injuries and fatalities was much higher than many other streets in Chicago, Pulaski Road had slightly more.
2. Pulaski Road: This well-known Chicago street runs through several residential neighborhoods including Heights and North Lawndale. This often results in pedestrians getting hit by reckless drivers, especially in school zones and near shopping centers. The total number of accidents on Pulaski Road amounted to 2,755 with 723 injuries and 5 fatalities.
3. Cicero Avenue: Because it connects Midway Airport and high-traffic industrial areas, Cicero Avenue can unfortunately lead many drivers who are unfamiliar with Chicago weather and traffic into some of the hardest-to-navigate areas. In 2024, Cicero Ave saw 2,585 car accidents with 618 injuries and 2 fatalities.
4. Ashland Avenue: This avenue is known for its narrow four lanes, which are constantly overwhelmed by pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic, making it hard to navigate. It’s also known for connecting residential areas such as Bridgeport, Wicker Park, and Rogers Park to commercial areas, which can make traffic accidents more likely. In 2024, Ashland Avenue saw 2,453 accidents, including 633 injuries and 3 fatalities.
5. Halstead Street: Lastly, Halstead Street ranks fifth among Chicago’s most dangerous streets with 2,089 accidents and 603 injuries along with 6 fatalities.

Safe Driving Tips for Preventing Traffic Accidents

Many car accidents in Chicago are the result of driver error. Here are a few tips for doing your part to keep our city’s streets safe:

• Know your route: Chicago is a big city and even drivers who have lived here their whole lives can get lost. If you’re going to an area of the city that you’re not familiar with, it’s always a good idea to review directions before you get behind the wheel so that you minimize the number of times you need to check your phone or GPS.
• Check the weather: While weather isn’t the most common cause of accidents in Chicago, it’s important to remember that we live in a city where conditions can change quickly and dramatically. Look at the forecast check to see how the roads are before venturing out.
• Be vigilant: As mentioned earlier in this guide, traffic fatalities in Chicago are most often caused by reckless driving, including speeding and running stoplights. Always be cautious, especially in intersections and high-traffic areas.
• Utilize public transportation: In some situations, it’s better not to drive at all. Public transportation is incredibly accessible in Chicago, and most importantly, it’s generally much safer (though not always) than driving.

What Should You Do After an Accident?

Unfortunately, even the safest drivers can be involved in an accident. When this happens, it’s important to know exactly what to do next. The following steps are crucial to not only ensure any injuries are addressed promptly but to fulfill any legal obligations and protect any future accident settlement you may be entitled to:

1. Get to safety and call 911. If the accident is severe, do your best to remove your car and yourself from oncoming traffic. If necessary and safe to do so, check the other driver for injuries. Call 911 as soon as possible. Even if your injuries seem minor, always seek medical attention following an accident, as many serious injuries, such as concussions and spinal injuries, may not always present symptoms right away.
2. If the accident is less severe, you should still call the police. In the event of a minor car accident, you can dial the non-emergency Chicago police number: 311. Even after a fender bender, filing a police report is a good idea as it can serve as an official record of the incident, which is useful if you decide to pursue a personal injury suit.
3. Document the scene. Exchange contact information with the other driver and witnesses. If safe to do so, take pictures of the scene, including damage to your car, your injuries, the position of the vehicles, and weather conditions.
4. Talk to a Chicago car accident lawyer. Once you’ve received medical attention, the next call you should make is to a car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to initiate your claim, discuss your legal options, and walk you through the next steps. Remember that you only have two years to file a personal injury claim in Illinois, which may sound like a lot, but there are many setbacks that can potentially slow you down.

Resources for Crash Victims

Locating the right resources after a car accident can sometimes be a challenge. Below are a few helpful links for victims of car accidents to seek help for a variety of issues:

Making a doctor’s appointment:

• University of Chicago Medical Center – (888) 824-0200
• Northwestern Memorial Hospital – (312) 926-2000

Mental health counseling:

• Cityscape Counseling – (708) 628-7645
• Advocate Trauma Recovery Center – 708-346-7300

Requesting a traffic report:

Visit the Chicago Police Department’s traffic crash reports portal or visit them in person at your local police station.

Power Rogers Helps Chicago Accident Victims Get the Care and Compensation They Need

While medical and mental health resources are incredibly important to your well-being, having a Chicago car accident lawyer is arguably just as important. Without effective legal representation in a personal injury suit, you may not recover the compensation you need to access the appropriate treatment and repair the damage to your property. If your injuries are severe, you may even lose the ability to work, and without a steady income, it can be hard to keep your head afloat.

Power Rogers can help. Our firm has consistently ranked #1 in dollars recovered for our clients, and our case results from over the years clearly reflect this. Regardless of where you are in the process, our firm can step in and help you build your case so that you can focus on the most important thing—your recovery. Contact us for a free consultation.