Portland, Ore., Residents, Gen Zers and Lincoln Drivers Are Most Accident-Prone Across Biggest Cities

The latest LendingTree study analyzed tens of millions of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quotes to determine the most accident-prone cities in the U.S. (out of the 50 largest). Below are the key findings from the study, along with a breakdown of the data that reveals the most accident-prone drivers by generation, vehicle make and vehicle model.

Portland, Ore., has the highest rate of accident-prone drivers across the 50 largest U.S. cities. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Blazer is the model with the highest accident rate.

As a driver, it’s helpful to understand how your location or vehicle make and model compares to others when it comes to the odds of being involved in an accident. If you live in an area with high accident rates or if you drive a vehicle that’s especially accident-prone, that could impact your car insurance premiums.

Key findings

• Portland, Ore., has the highest rate of accident-prone drivers across the 50 largest U.S. cities. Portland drivers have 7.46 accidents per 1,000 drivers — more than double the 50-city average of 3.58. Kansas City, Mo. (7.11), and Minneapolis (6.48) follow. The cities with the lowest accident rates are New York (0.29 per 1,000 drivers), Detroit (0.46) and San Jose, Calif. (0.71).
• Young drivers in the nation’s biggest cities are most commonly involved in accidents. Gen Z drivers get in 5.70 accidents per 1,000 drivers — the highest by a solid margin. Interestingly, millennials (3.97) have fewer accidents on average than Gen Xers (4.15) and baby boomers (4.01).
• Big-city Lincoln drivers are the most accident-prone, but Cadillac drivers are close behind. Lincoln and Cadillac drivers in the 50 largest cities are involved in 5.40 and 5.39 accidents per 1,000 drivers, respectively. Ram drivers are the only others with an accident rate above 5.00, at 5.16.
• By model, Chevrolet Blazer drivers’ accident rate is the highest. Chevrolet Blazer drivers have 9.21 accidents per 1,000 drivers, slightly higher than Toyota Tundra drivers at 8.92. Toyota Prius drivers are a distant third at 6.38.
• Four of the largest U.S. cities saw fatal crashes jump by at least 50.0%. In Raleigh, N.C., deadly crashes rose by 69.0% between 2021 and 2022 (the latest available data). The other three cities that saw the biggest increases were Long Beach, Calif. (58.3%), Oakland, Calif. (55.6%), and Las Vegas (53.1%).
• Los Angeles and Detroit drivers see the biggest annual auto insurance rate increases after being involved in an accident. Rates in Los Angeles and Detroit are an average of $2,616.45 and $2,514.47 higher, respectively, after an accident. Five other big cities see a difference of at least $2,000 in auto insurance increases: San Francisco ($2,086.60), Oakland ($2,077.57), Las Vegas ($2,073.08), Long Beach ($2,046.05) and Sacramento, Calif. ($2,030.45).

Portland, Ore., has highest rate of accident-prone drivers across 50 largest U.S. cities

LendingTree looked at the 50 largest cities in the U.S. to see which locations have the highest rates of accident-prone drivers. Nationwide, the 50-city average is 3.58 accidents per 1,000 drivers. But certain cities have accident rates that are far above the average.

Portland, Ore., leads the way at 7.46 accidents per 1,000 drivers. It’s also worth pointing out that Portland is home to the speediest drivers in the U.S. (across big cities) — a detail that likely contributes to drivers in the city being more accident-prone.

After Portland, the following cities come in second and third in the U.S. with the most accident-prone drivers: Kansas City, Mo. (7.11), and Minneapolis (6.48).

Cities with the most accidents per 1,000 drivers

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024.

There’s no clear-cut answer as to why the top cities find themselves with the most accident-prone drivers. But Rob Bhatt, LendingTree auto insurance expert and a licensed insurance agent, sheds some light on this complex topic.

“There are a variety of factors that contribute to a city’s accident rates,” Bhatt says. “We usually see higher accidents in areas where drivers speed, drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol and/or use their cellphone while driving.”

On the other end of the scale, the three cities with the least accident-prone drivers are New York (0.29), Detroit (0.46) and San Jose, Calif. (0.71). It’s interesting to note that New York and Detroit also rank among the five cities with the lowest DUI rates — a factor that likely leads to fewer accidents as well.

Cities with the fewest accidents per 1,000 drivers

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024.

Full rankings

Cities with the most/fewest accidents per 1,000 drivers

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024.

Young drivers in nation’s biggest cities most commonly involved in accidents

Age could also play a role in the likelihood that you’ll be involved in an accident — a detail that car insurance companies understand and often rely on to set insurance rates. Certain generations are more accident-prone than others behind the wheel.

Generation Z leads the way by a substantial margin at 5.70 accidents per 1,000 drivers. The next closest is Generation X at 4.15. Gen Z also has the highest speeding-related incident rate (across the 50 largest cities), as well as the highest DUI rate (across the 50 largest cities), compared to other generations.

Accidents per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities (by generation)

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024. Note: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities.

“Younger drivers tend to have higher accident rates than older individuals for a combination of reasons,” Bhatt says. “For starters, they just haven’t had enough time to gain experience behind the wheel. Ideally, the more you drive, the better you become at handling the various unexpected hazards that can pop up.”

Bhatt also points out that young drivers tend to be less risk-averse compared to older ones. “Excessive speeds, impairment by drugs or alcohol and distracted driving are the most common contributing factors to traffic accidents,” he says.

Big-city Lincoln drivers are most accident-prone, but Cadillac drivers just behind

In addition to certain cities having higher accident rates compared to others, drivers of certain vehicles have higher accident rates as well. LendingTree studied vehicle makes with the highest accident rates per 1,000 drivers (across the 50 largest cities) and found that Lincoln (5.40), Cadillac (5.39) and Ram (5.16) lead the way. Another factor worth noting is that Cadillacs also have the highest DUI rate per 1,000 drivers.

Vehicle makes with most accidents per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

Again, it’s difficult to pinpoint specific reasons that explain why the drivers of certain vehicle makes are more accident-prone than others. But it’s noteworthy that the top two most accident-prone vehicle makes are luxury brands.

The study also revealed the vehicle makes with the fewest accidents per 1,000 drivers. Mercury is the least accident-prone (2.21), while Pontiac (2.58) and Mitsubishi (3.36) follow close behind.

Vehicle makes with fewest accidents per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

Many factors could explain why drivers of the vehicles at the bottom of the list are less accident-prone. For example, Ford stopped making Mercury vehicles in 2010. As a result, there are likely fewer Mercuries on the road compared to other vehicle makes — and fewer of these vehicles available to be involved in accidents.

Full rankings

Accidents per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities (by vehicle make)

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included.

By model, Chevrolet Blazer drivers’ accident rate is highest

The LendingTree study also examined vehicle models with the most accidents per 1,000 drivers. The Chevy Blazer (9.21), Toyota Tundra (8.92) and Toyota Prius (6.38) lead the way. Yet there’s a rather large jump between the model with the third-highest accident rate (Prius) and the model with the highest accident rate (Chevy Blazer).

Again, numerous reasons may explain the higher accident rates among the drivers of the vehicle models listed below. Yet it’s noteworthy (and sad) that in a previous study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the two-door Chevy Blazer ranked as having the highest driver death rate of any passenger vehicle in the U.S. (1999-2002 model years). General Motors initially stopped production of the Blazer in 2005. But the company reintroduced the Blazer into the Chevrolet lineup in 2019.

Accidents per 1,000 drivers in 50 largest cities (by vehicle model)

Source: LendingTree analysis of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quote data from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024. Notes: Our analysis includes the 50 largest U.S. cities. The 100 models with the highest number of quotes were included.

4 of largest U.S. cities saw fatal crashes jump by at least 50.0%

Four cities saw a 50%-plus increase in fatal crashes between 2021 and 2022. Those cities are Raleigh, N.C. (69.0%), Long Beach, Calif. (58.3%), Oakland, Calif. (55.6%), and Las Vegas (53.1%). There’s nearly a 30 percentage point difference in the next closest city — San Francisco at 24.2%.

The city with the highest increase in fatal crashes, Raleigh, also has the highest DUI rate among major cities. There’s a good chance that this factor was a contributing cause of the increase in accidents among its drivers. Raleigh is also the second-fastest-growing large metro area in the U.S. The city is working to improve roadway safety to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths in the future.

Bhatt also points out that many drivers have had to change their habits during the last few years, and those adjustments could be impacting the rate of accidents and fatal crashes. “We saw accident rates spike across the boards nationwide from late 2020 into early 2023. People got used to driving on uncrowded roads during the pandemic,” says Bhatt, who notes that “the uptick in accidents didn’t really begin to subside until late 2022 and early 2023.”

Largest increases in fatal crashes (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data. Note: Our analysis was limited to the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Despite the increase in fatal crashes in many locations, some cities experienced the opposite effect in recent years. Arlington, Texas, saw the biggest decrease in fatal crashes at 48.0% fewer compared to the prior year, followed by Washington, D.C. (30.0%), and San Jose, Calif. (25.3%).

Largest decreases in fatal crashes (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of NHTSA FARS data. Note: Our analysis was limited to the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Full rankings

% change in fatal crashes (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of NHTSA FARS data. Note: Our analysis was limited to the 50 largest U.S. cities.

Los Angeles, Detroit drivers see biggest annual auto insurance rate increases after being involved in accident

When you have a new accident on your driving record, it’s often only a matter of time before your car insurance rates rise in response. Yet drivers in certain cities may experience bigger auto insurance rate increases after accidents than others.

Overall, annual auto insurance premiums average $2,400.18 per year in the 50 largest cities. With an accident, however, the average premium jumps to $3,764.83 — a difference of $1,364.66 per year.

By comparison, average rates in Los Angeles and Detroit are $2,616.45 and $2,514.47 higher after an accident. Five other big cities see a difference of at least $2,000: San Francisco ($2,086.60), Oakland ($2,077.57), Las Vegas ($2,073.08), Long Beach ($2,046.05) and Sacramento, Calif. ($2,030.45).

“Insurance companies see drivers with an accident history as riskier to insure,” Bhatt says. “Risky drivers cost insurance companies money, in the form of accident claims, so they charge you more if they consider you risky. If you have two or three accidents within a two- or three-year period, your insurance company may drop you.”

Yet keep in mind that the point of paying for insurance is to protect yourself from potentially large expenses that can take place if you’re in a car accident. So, if you’re involved in a car accident that’s going to cost you thousands of dollars for car repairs or medical treatment, don’t hesitate to report it to your insurance company. On the other hand, if you’re in a minor accident that causes less than a few thousand dollars’ worth of damage and no injuries, you might be better off avoiding an insurance claim.

Full rankings

Difference in annual auto insurance premiums with an accident (by city)

Source: LendingTree analysis of Quadrant Information Services auto insurance rate data.

3 ways to manage insurance premiums following an accident

If you’re in an accident, your car insurance costs could go up. Below are three tips to help you manage rising auto insurance premiums following an accident.

• Understand when rates increase after an accident. After an accident, it’s important to understand that if your insurance rates increase, the change won’t take place right away. In fact, your current insurance contract shouldn’t adjust until it’s time to renew your policy. That gives you time to shop around for new car insurance and compare rates from multiple providers.
• Consider higher deductibles. If you need full-coverage car insurance, consider increasing your deductible. Raising your collision deductible has the potential to save you a lot of money. “Just make sure you have money in the bank to cover your costs in case you get into another accident in the future,” Bhatt says.
• Avoid claims when possible. If you can afford to make small repairs yourself, Bhatt recommends that drivers consider avoiding the claims process. But if another vehicle was involved in the accident, the repair estimate costs more than your deductible or the repairs cost more money than you have available in savings, you may need to contact your insurance company to file a claim.

Methodology

Researchers analyzed tens of millions of QuoteWizard by LendingTree insurance quotes from July 30, 2023, through July 30, 2024.

Researchers calculated the number of accidents per 1,000 drivers in the 50 largest (by population) U.S. cities. We followed the same process across the same cities to determine the:

• Most accident-prone drivers by generation
• Most accident-prone drivers by vehicle make
• Most accident-prone drives by vehicle model

To define generations, LendingTree analysts used the following ranges from Pew Research Center:

• Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2005: ages 18 to 26 in 2023 — only adults)
• Millennial (born between 1981 and 1996: ages 27 to 42 in 2023)
• Generation X (born between 1965 and 1980: ages 43 to 58 in 2023)
• Baby boomer (born between 1946 and 1964: ages 59 to 77 in 2023)
• Silent generation (born between 1928 and 1945: ages 78 to 95 in 2023)

The 30 makes with the highest number of quotes were included. By vehicle model, the 100 models with the highest number of quotes were included.

Additionally, LendingTree researchers analyzed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data using the Fatality and Injury Reporting System Tool (FIRST).

Researchers analyzed fatal crash data in each of the 50 largest U.S. cities to calculate the percentage change from 2021 to 2022 — the latest available data.

Finally, LendingTree researchers gathered quotes for a 2015 Honda Civic EX driven by a man who is 30 with a good credit score, both with and without an accident on his record. This portion of the study shows the average annual cost of a full-coverage insurance policy in the same cities as above.

The analysis used insurance rate data from Quadrant Information Services. These rates were publicly sourced from insurer filings and should be used for comparative purposes only, as your quotes may be different. Full-coverage policies include coverage limits above minimum requirements.

Full-coverage policy