When Do Most Car Accidents Happen?

Traffic patterns change throughout the day, and so does the likelihood of being involved in a car crash. Certain hours consistently see heavier crash activity, while others are less dangerous. 

Learn what time of day do most crashes occur and why those hours put drivers at greater risk.

If you’ve been in a crash and are wondering what legal steps to take, Meshbesher & Spence can guide you. Reach us at (612) 339-9121 or send us a message online for a free consultation.

Morning Hours

The morning commute brings a surge of vehicles onto the road at the same time. Between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., highways, intersections, and city streets fill with drivers heading to work or school.

National crash statistics show that while mornings are not the peak for fatal accidents, they do account for a large share of nonfatal collisions on weekdays. Contributing factors include:

• Congestion. Heavy volumes increase the chance of rear-end collisions and multi-car crashes, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.
  
• Fatigue. Many drivers start the day without enough rest, slowing reaction times and making it harder to stay alert behind the wheel.
  
• Limited visibility. During fall and winter months, darker mornings make it harder to see cyclists, pedestrians, and roadway hazards. This affects drivers across much of the country, not just colder regions.
  
• Weather. Early hours are more likely to bring fog, frost, or icy pavement, all of which make sudden stops and turns more dangerous.

The combination of crowded roads, tired drivers, and reduced visibility makes this window one of the most accident-prone times of day and sends thousands of people to hospitals each year.

Afternoon and Evening Hours

In looking at what time of day do most crashes occur, findings confirm that between 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m., the greatest number of both fatal and nonfatal accidents happened nationwide.

Why the spike?

• Traffic volume. As work and school let out, the roads fill with people eager to get home, along with buses and delivery vehicles, which pushes roadways past capacity.
  
• Driver frustration. Long workdays leave drivers exhausted and irritable, increasing the likelihood of tailgating, weaving, or unsafe lane changes.
  
• School zones. Pickup and drop-off activities around schools can cause localized slowdowns, with frequent stops and pedestrian crossings increasing the risk of collisions.

The urgency to reach home after a demanding day often overrides safe driving practices, making the afternoon to evening commutes the single most dangerous period on U.S. roads.

If you suffered injuries in a crash during these high-risk hours, the car accident attorneys at Meshbesher & Spence are ready to help. Call (612) 339-9121 or contact us online for a free case review.

Nighttime Hours

Once the sun sets, visibility drops, and fatigue grows for drivers who have already spent hours on the road. National roadway reports indicate a larger share of deadly crashes occur after dark compared to daytime driving.

Do more car accidents happen at night? Yes. Even though traffic volume decreases, the percentage of fatal collisions increases. Federal data also confirms that during the spring and summer months, the late evening window between 8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. is when deadly crashes peak.

Key reasons include:

• Reduced visibility. Headlights cover only a limited stretch of pavement, leaving less time to react to hazards, pedestrians, or cyclists.
  
• Impaired driving. Alcohol- and drug-related collisions surge between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m., especially on weekends.
  
• Fatigue. Drivers heading home from late shifts, long trips, or social events may nod off or drift off-task.
  
• Speeding. With fewer vehicles around, some motorists push well beyond posted limits, increasing crash severity.

Late-night driving is also more dangerous for younger motorists. Studies from 2023 show that drivers under 25 account for a disproportionate share of nighttime fatal crashes, and the likelihood of hit-and-run accidents also rises during these hours.

Weekday vs. Weekend Hours

Nonfatal collisions are more common on weekdays, with Friday having the highest totals as commuter traffic mixes with school activities and people hurrying to finish the week.

When asking what day has the most car accidents, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) specifies that Saturday records the highest number of fatal crashes. More drivers are on the road for social events, late-night travel, and longer trips, which raises the risk of deadly collisions. Alcohol involvement is also frequent on weekends, particularly during nighttime hours.

Weekdays bring a higher number of property damage and minor injury crashes, while weekends see more fatalities. These differences reflect how traffic volume and driver behavior vary throughout the week.

Seasonal and Holiday Factors

Seasonal factors significantly affect when accidents are most likely to occur. Daylight hours, weather conditions, and travel habits vary throughout the year, and crash data reflects those shifts.

• Spring and summer: Fatal crashes peak between 8 p.m. and midnight, when longer daylight hours extend evening travel and social activities. Nonfatal crashes rise earlier in the day, from noon to late afternoon, coinciding with increased recreational driving and road trips.
  
• Fall and winter: The most serious accidents happen at what time of day? National data indicates that the deadliest period runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., when sudden darkness combines with rush hour traffic. Weather hazards like rain, snow, and ice create additional risks during these evening hours.

Holiday periods add further risk:

• Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s: Heavy travel and increased alcohol consumption cause major spikes in crashes, particularly during nighttime hours when impaired driving peaks.
  
• Memorial Day and Independence Day: Summer celebrations bring congested highways, weekend road trips, and higher rates of impaired driving, creating dangerous conditions throughout extended holiday weekends.

For drivers wondering when do most car accidents happen, the facts reveal that evening hours carry the highest risk year-round. However, the exact timeframe depends on daylight and seasonal weather.

Talk to a Minnesota Car Accident Lawyer Today

Meshbesher & Spence has represented injured Minnesotans for over 60 years. Crashes during peak traffic hours can leave victims with lasting injuries, medical bills, and time away from work. 

Our attorneys know how to handle complex car accident claims and are committed to helping clients recover the support they need to move forward. Call (612) 339-9121 or contact us online for a free case review with a Minnesota car accident lawyer today.