San Diego Car Accident Statistics 2025: What the Data Means for Victims

By Eugene Bruno on October 10, 2025

Each year, thousands of people are injured on San Diego’s roads. And behind every number is a real person whose life has been changed in an instant. 

As 2025 unfolds, analyzing San Diego car accident statistics provides valuable insight into patterns of liability, the effectiveness of current safety efforts, and what victims can expect when pursuing compensation.

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we believe that information is power. By understanding the trends behind car crashes, local injury victims and their families can make more informed decisions about insurance claims, litigation, and protecting their rights after an accident.

Car Crash Data in San Diego

While the full annual report from the California DMV and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) won’t be finalized until year-end, early 2025 data already reveals some key trends:

• Fatal collisions remain highest in areas with high-speed limits and limited pedestrian infrastructure.
• Distracted driving, particularly related to mobile phone use, continues to rise despite legal restrictions.
• The top accident hotspots include:
  • I-805 at the 163 interchange
  • El Cajon Boulevard through North Park and City Heights
  • Pacific Highway near Old Town
  • Clairemont Mesa Boulevard at the 805

Why This Data Matters for Injury Victims

Understanding car accident statistics is a powerful tool for identifying how and why crashes happen, which directly affects legal claims, insurance coverage disputes, and potential litigation.

Identifying Negligence and Liability Trends

If certain roads or intersections consistently appear in crash data, it can strengthen claims of governmental liability (e.g., poorly maintained roads, unclear signage). Similarly, if distracted driving is statistically prevalent, plaintiffs can use that data to highlight behavioral negligence patterns in court.

For example, you may be injured in a crash at an intersection identified as an accident hotspot, and traffic control devices are lacking or malfunctioning. That may support additional claims beyond driver negligence, such as liability for dangerous roadway conditions.

Evaluating Insurance Coverage Risks

More accidents often lead to higher premiums and tighter policy restrictions. Victims must be increasingly mindful of underinsured driver risks, particularly in urban areas where drivers may carry only the state minimum coverage.

Despite the rise in traffic accident injuries, many San Diego drivers still operate vehicles with $15,000 minimum liability policies, which is nowhere near enough to cover serious injuries.

This gap underscores the importance of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and the need for legal representation when negotiating settlements.

Shaping Motor Vehicle Litigation Strategy

When insurance companies deny or delay claims, crash statistics can serve as persuasive evidence during litigation. Demonstrating that an intersection has a high crash rate or that certain vehicle models are frequently involved in severe accidents can support claims of foreseeability, hazard awareness, and even design flaws.

Trends Affecting San Diego Crash Victims in 2025

More Crashes, Heavier Traffic

While post-pandemic traffic initially declined, 2024 and early 2025 saw a resurgence of congestion, especially during commuting hours and tourist seasons.

As San Diego welcomes major events, beachgoers, and daily commuters, traffic density is reaching pre-pandemic levels. The result is more fender-benders, rear-end collisions, and side-impact crashes. For victims, this means more complex claims involving multiple parties and shared fault issues.

Ride-Sharing and Commercial Vehicles

Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and delivery services (like Amazon and DoorDash) now account for a growing share of claims. In these cases, liability becomes more complex due to overlapping insurance policies and employment classifications.

A crash involving an on-duty rideshare driver may involve three separate insurance policies—the driver’s personal policy, the rideshare company’s commercial coverage, and any excess liability provisions.

Increase in Vulnerable Road User Injuries

San Diego’s push for pedestrian- and bike-friendly infrastructure hasn’t caught up with traffic growth. In 2025, injury data continues to show a troubling rise in accidents involving:

• Pedestrians in crosswalks
• Cyclists in shared lanes
• E-scooter riders on sidewalks

These crashes often result in serious or catastrophic injuries, and determining fault can be complicated without video evidence or unbiased witnesses.

How California DMV Reports Are Used in Claims

The California DMV Annual Report of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is one of the key sources for understanding motor vehicle litigation trends.

These reports include:

• Number and types of crashes
• Causes (e.g., DUI, speeding, distracted driving)
• Victim demographics
• Insurance compliance rates

Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often use this data to argue that a crash was typical or inevitable. But injury attorneys can use the same data to prove the systemic risks drivers face and the negligent conduct of the party at fault.

What You Can Do If You’ve Been Injured

Car accidents are disorienting and overwhelming, but your actions immediately afterward can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Even if injuries appear minor, internal damage or concussions can worsen if untreated. Medical documentation also strengthens your legal claim.

Document Everything

• Take photos of vehicles, surroundings, and injuries
• Obtain witness names and contact info
• Write down everything you remember as soon as possible

Request the Traffic Collision Report

In San Diego, you can request the police report from the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) or the California Highway Patrol, depending on jurisdiction. This report will be critical in proving fault.

Speak With an Attorney Before Accepting a Settlement

Insurance companies often offer low settlements quickly before the full extent of injuries is clear. Once you accept, you may waive your right to future compensation.

An experienced attorney can assess the full value of your claim, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life

How Our Firm Uses Crash Data to Help Clients

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we go beyond the surface-level facts of each case. We use car crash data from San Diego and statewide reports to build compelling narratives around liability, causation, and damages.

Here’s how that helps you:

• Pinpointing accident trends strengthens your claim when the crash occurred at a known dangerous intersection.
• Highlighting high-risk driver behaviors (like phone use or speeding) supports claims of gross negligence.
• Analyzing vehicle history and manufacturer data helps determine if product liability should be explored.

Our team has decades of experience handling motor vehicle litigation in San Diego, and we’ve recovered millions for injury victims across the region. We understand the city’s streets, its courtrooms, and—most importantly—what your case is worth.

Speak With Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in San Diego

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, don’t settle for less than full compensation. Let our team at Eugene Bruno & Associates help you translate knowledge into results.

Call 1-888-BRUNO-88 (1-888-278-6688) today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our San Diego car accident lawyers will review your case, explain your rights, and fight to get you everything you deserve so you can focus on healing.