An insurance company analysis rated St. Catharines as the sixth most dangerous city in Ontario for drivers. This study calculated a rating for each city based on drivers’ history of traffic violations and car accidents in St. Catharines. The safest city, Toronto, was over two and a half times safer than St. Catharines based on this measure.
According to car accident statistics, you have a better chance of getting into a crash in St. Catharines than in comparable-sized cities like Whitby and Windsor.
If you suffer injuries in a car accident in St. Catharines, ON, Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers can fight for compensation. Contact our law office at (289) 301-9496 to schedule a free case assessment.
How Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Car Accident in St. Catharines, ON
Since 1981, Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers has represented injured clients in St. Catharines, Ontario, against insurers and at-fault parties. Our St. Catharines car accident lawyers have recovered over $100 million in compensation for the firm’s clients.
If you suffer an injury in a car crash, our lawyers can provide the following services:
- A free consultation to discuss your accident and options for compensation
- A thorough investigation of your crash to gather evidence
- Preparation of your insurance claim and negotiations to settle it
- Aggressive litigation against insurers that fail to offer fair settlements
Car accidents can happen for any reason, despite what the statistics might suggest. Contact our St. Catharines personal injury lawyers to learn how we can help you fight insurers for financial compensation for your injuries.
Are the Roads Safe in St. Catharines?
Because it is the largest city in the Niagara Region, you would correctly expect St. Catharines to have more crashes than its neighbors. However, the Ontario Road Safety Annual Report shows that nearly 26% of all crashes in the region happen in St. Catharines. So you can reasonably say that St. Catharines has more dangerous roads than other areas in the region.
On the other hand, it has relatively few injuries and deaths. For example, Niagara Falls had three times the number of fatal crashes as St. Catharines despite being much smaller. You can likely attribute this statistic to the high number of tourists in Niagara Falls. But regardless of the reason, the smaller city’s roads were much more deadly than those of St. Catharines.
Traffic Accident Statistics For St. Catharines, Ontario
The provincial road safety report lists 1,221 total crashes for 2020, the most recent year with a complete statistical report.
These crashes included:
- 2 fatal crashes
- 178 non-fatal injury crashes
- 1,041 property damage-only crashes
This number includes single-vehicle accidents, multi-vehicle collisions, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. The report does not provide the number of collisions with pedestrians or cyclists in St. Catharines.
Outcomes of St. Catharines Crashes
Crashes in St. Catharines caused:
- 2 deaths
- 211 non-fatal injuries
The report does not specify the severity of the non-fatal injuries. These injuries range from minor abrasions and bruises to disabling brain and spinal cord injuries. However, there is no way to quantify how many people suffered each type of injury since the statistics do not provide a breakdown.
When Do St. Catharines Crashes Happen?
The most recent statistical report for the Niagara Region was released in 2019. According to this report, fatal and injury crashes tend to peak during the summer, while property damage crashes tend to climb during the winter.
This data makes sense. During the summer, travelers are likely to get into multi-vehicle collisions that result in injury and death. During winter, drivers tend to lose control of their vehicles due to slick roads and poor visibility. These single-vehicle crashes tend to damage the vehicle without seriously injuring the occupants.
During the week, total accidents and fatal crashes peak on Friday. On weekdays, people drive during the morning and afternoon to commute to and from work. On Friday, they then go out after work, increasing the risk of evening and late-night collisions.
Common Causes of St. Catharines Crashes
According to the Niagara Region’s statistical report, there were two significant causes of crashes: distracted driving and aggressive driving.
Distracted driving has become a major problem for road users in St. Catharines. It was a factor in over 25% of accidents that resulted in injury or death. Distractions can include anything that interferes with a driver’s ability to focus on the road or control their vehicle.
Common examples of distractions include:
- Eating or drinking
- Cell phone use
- Reaching for a dropped object
- Talking to passengers
Distracted driving interferes with a driver’s ability to spot traffic or road hazards and maneuver to avoid them. This violation often results in rear-end collisions.
Aggressive driving contributed to over 36% of crashes, according to the Niagara Region report.
The definition of aggressive driving includes:
- Tailgating
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Speeding
- Losing control of the vehicle
Aggressive driving exposes both the aggressive driver and other road users to injury or death. These dangerous behaviors increase the risk of a collision as well as the crash energy when one happens.
Schedule a Free Consultation With An Experienced St. Catharines Car Crash Lawyer
A car accident in St. Catharines can happen in many ways, notwithstanding the statistics. Contact Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers at (905) 685-3085 for a free consultation to discuss your car crash and the financial compensation you can seek for the injuries you suffered.