
Louisiana releases only limited car accident statistics for individual cities. But Calcasieu Parish, which represents the Lake Charles statistical area, had over 6,600 car crashes in 2022. This statistic represents roughly the number of collisions you would expect. The parish has 4.4% of Louisiana’s population and 4.4% of its traffic accidents.
Just because Lake Charles was as safe as anywhere else in Louisiana does not mean its roads were safe. Crashes in the area injured or killed almost 3,200 drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Those who survived suffered a range of injuries that caused pain and disabilities.
If you’ve been injured in a collision in Lake Charles, LA, Hale Injury Lawyers can help. Contact our law office at (337) 888-4253 and schedule a free initial consultation to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
How Hale Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Car Accident in Lake Charles, LA

Hale Injury Lawyers has provided legal services to accident victims in Lake Charles, Louisiana, since 2008. Since the firm was founded, our Lake Charles car accident lawyers have represented thousands of injured people against at-fault drivers and their insurance companies.
If you get injured in an auto accident, we help by providing:
- A free consultation so you understand your options for getting compensation
- Contingency fee representation so you pay fees only after we win or settle your case
- A knowledgeable and aggressive team with over 61 years of combined legal experience
The injuries you suffer in a car accident can harm your physical and financial well-being. Contact Hale Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your traffic accident and the compensation you may be entitled to pursue under Louisiana law.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Lake Charles, Louisiana?
Louisiana’s most comprehensive crash statistics come from the Louisiana Traffic Records Data Report and the database maintained by the Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS). Both of these resources are maintained by Louisiana State University.
According to CARTS, Calcasieu Parish had 6,619 traffic accidents in 2022. Of these, 1,927 crashes injured or killed at least one person involved in the accident.
Lake Charles had more traffic crashes than any other city in the parish. The city had 889 crashes that caused injury or death in 2022, according to CARTS. This means the city accounted for over 46% of the parish’s fatal and non-fatal injury crashes.
How and When Do Car Accidents Happen in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles car accident statistics can tell you a lot about road safety in the city, along with how and when crashes happen. They can also tell you who causes these accidents and what happens as a result of them.
Here are some statistics about Lake Charles car crashes in 2022:
Crash Outcomes
According to CARTS, Lake Charles had six fatal crashes and 883 injury crashes in 2022. These crashes caused:
- Six fatal injuries
- 1,491 non-fatal injuries
These non-fatal injuries fell into three categories:
- 60% were serious injuries that required an ambulance
- 20% were minor injuries that left a visible wound without requiring an ambulance
- 20% were suspected injuries caused symptoms without leaving a visible wound
The distribution of injuries was unusual. In many other jurisdictions, the majority of injuries are minor or suspected. Lake Charles has a disproportionate number of serious injuries. This means that crashes in the city often involve higher crash energies.
Vulnerable Road Users
CARTS does not give precise data about vulnerable road users. But you can extrapolate that pedestrian accidents caused roughly 20 injuries and four fatalities. Bicycle accidents caused about 14 injuries and killed one.
Bicyclists and pedestrians have no protection in a collision with a motor vehicle. As a result, they can suffer fatal injuries to the head, chest, and abdomen. They can also suffer non-fatal but catastrophic injuries like permanent brain damage, paralysis, and amputation.
Dangerous Times to Drive
The most dangerous time to drive in Lake Charles is between midnight and 6 a.m. on Sunday. You can infer that these crashes resulted from darkness combined with intoxication after a Saturday night spent partying.
The next most dangerous time to be on the roads of Lake Charles is during the afternoon commute. Accidents build through the day on weekdays. They typically peak between noon and 6 p.m.
Common Causes of Lake Charles Crashes
The most common type of collision in Lake Charles is a rear-end collision. According to CARTS, over 29% of car accidents in Lake Charles happen when one vehicle runs into the back of another vehicle.
These accidents can happen for many reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Tailgating
- Speeding
The second most common type of collision in the city is the side-impact collision. These crashes happen at intersections when drivers fail to yield the right of way at stop signs, yield signs, and traffic lights.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Lake Charles Car Accident Attorneys
A car crash in Lake Charles can cause a range of injuries that result in pain, disabilities, and even disfigurement. Contact Hale Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to learn about the personal injury compensation you can pursue after your crash.