San Diego Ranks Second for U.S. Car Accident Rates
New data shows San Diego drivers face high crash frequency, impacting how residents should assess local insurance risk.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Car Types
Live Poll
Do you feel road safety is getting worse in your local community?
A new LendingTree study released in October 2026 identifies San Diego as having the second-highest car accident rate among major U.S. cities, with 28.2 accidents per 1,000 drivers. The data highlights a trend of high crash frequency across several major California municipalities.
Why it matters
Understanding local accident trends helps households gauge their risk exposure, which can influence decisions regarding insurance premiums and vehicle safety priorities. The findings show significant variance in crash rates based on both geographic location and driver demographics.
San Diego reports 28.2 accidents per 1,000 drivers, placing it just behind Raleigh, North Carolina, which leads at 29.1. Multiple California cities rank high, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, which tie for third at 26.9 per 1,000 drivers.
The players
LendingTree
A financial services marketplace that provides research on consumer insurance and credit trends.
The details
This study examined 50 major U.S. cities to calculate accident rates per 1,000 drivers. The findings also categorized risks by vehicle make and age group, noting that Ram drivers encounter the highest accident frequency at 25.9 per 1,000. Additionally, drivers aged 18 to 28 have the highest crash rate at 33.1, while Millennial drivers recorded the lowest rate at 14.8 per 1,000.
Timeline
LendingTree released the study findings in October 2026.
The Home Front
This study aligns with ongoing national efforts to track road safety benchmarks through the LendingTree accident rate study. It highlights how geographic location serves as a critical variable in assessing household transportation risks.
Check your local traffic trends and demographic-based insurance risk assessments to better understand your household's automotive costs. If you reside in high-ranking cities like San Diego or Los Angeles, consider reviewing your current auto insurance coverage levels.
The takeaway
Regional accident frequency suggests that drivers in certain urban centers may face higher risks on the road. Families should review their insurance policies and consider advanced driver-assistance features for their vehicles to help mitigate these documented trends.
Further reading
For more information on vehicle safety and regional risk factors, visit the Car Types section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSWB 5/69.
Live Poll
Do you feel road safety is getting worse in your local community?
