Do you ever wonder when the first motor vehicle crash happened? With over 6 million car accidents per year in the United States, collisions on the road seem like an unfortunate fact of life for American drivers. However, there was a time when car crashes were unheard of. To understand how far we’ve come in terms of automotive safety, let’s take a look at when was the first car crash and see how driving has evolved over time.

The Invention of the Car

While ideas for self-propelled vehicles existed earlier, the first working automobile was invented by German engineers Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler in 1885 and 1886. These early cars, often referred to as “horseless carriages,” were just that – wagons and carriages that ran on gasoline engines instead of being pulled by horses.

Over the next few decades, car production started ramping up in the United States. By the early 1900s, dozens of small auto manufacturers existed, selling everything from steam-mobiles to electric cars to gas-powered vehicles.

When was the First Car Crash – The First Documented Collision

On August 31, 1896, British engineer Henry Wells hit a bicyclist while driving one of the first motorcars in the United States. Wells was giving his brother and a few friends a tour of the car around Central Park in New York City.

While driving only 8 mph, Wells turned a corner and crashed into Evylyn Thomas, knocking her off her bike. Thomas suffered a broken leg, making her the first known victim of an automotive crash.

Luckily, Evelyn ended up suing Wells and won a $1500 settlement in court, setting an early precedent for liability in motor vehicle vs. pedestrian accidents. However, at the time, car crashes were still such unusual events that they often ended up making newspaper headlines when they did occur.

Early Car Accident Headlines

Now you know when was the first car crash to take place. During the first decade of the 20th century, cars were still novelties. This meant that car crashes often made front-page news in local papers. Here are a few examples of some notable early car crash stories:

• “The first gasoline automobile made in the United States, known as the Buckeye gasoline buggy or the Lambert gasoline buggy, was made in Ohio in 1891”
• “Walter Johnson Injured” – In 1908, a future baseball Hall of Famer crashed his first ever car minutes after buying it. Miraculously, Johnson avoided serious injuries.
• “Autos Smash, Woman Injured” – A 1909 crash between two autos resulted in a woman passenger getting flung from one of the vehicles (no seat belts!), injuring her hip and arm.
• “Steering Rod Not Broken on Car in Accident” – By 1909 standards, a working steering rod post-crash was a newsworthy occasion. How times have changed!
• “Auto Accidents Numerous” – As motor vehicles increased in cities, so did crashes, occasionally causing minor injury epidemics during the early 1900s.
• “Boy on Bike Hit By Auto, Not Hurt” – Cars colliding with cyclists and pedestrians was common. People marveled at close calls where no one was seriously injured.

As demonstrated by these articles, early car crashes could be quite a spectacle and curiosity for local communities and newspapers. However, as automobiles became more widespread, car accidents became more normalized and every day, no longer garnering front-page attention.

The Evolution of Car Safety

The early 20th century saw rapid advancement in automotive technology and safety:

• Windshields – Glass windshields started replacing goggle-like eye protection on cars around 1910. By the late 1930s, shatter-resistant laminated glass windshields became standard.
• Enclosed Cabs – Early on, many cars were open-aired with no roof or doors. As driving speeds increased, enclosed cabs offered drivers critical weather protection and crash safety.
• Seat Belts – The first vehicle seat belt was patented in 1885 by Edward J. Claghorn. However, safety belts did not start appearing in consumer vehicles until the 1950s and were not mandated in new cars until 1968.
• Airbags – Developed in the 1950s, the first airbags appeared in select models in the 1970s. It wasn’t until 1998 that dual front airbags were required by law in all new vehicles.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) – This computerized safety tech helps drivers stay in control of swerving vehicles. Making its debut in 1995, ESC was mandated in all vehicles by 2012.

Thanks to ongoing safety innovation, the number of car crash fatalities has fallen from a peak of over 50,000 deaths per year in the 1960s to under 40,000 in 2020 despite significantly more cars on the road today. Additionally, the rate of car accident deaths per every million vehicle miles driven has never been lower.

Driving Safety Tips

Although cars have become less dangerous over the years due to seat belts and other safety features, it can still be risky to drive in Ohio today. According to the Ohio State Patrol, there were 1,154 fatal crashes across the state in 2020, with 1,230 traffic fatalities and 166 pedestrians killed.

Just in Hamilton, Ohio, there were two fatal crashes in 2019, another two in Middletown, and one in Eaton. Most of these accidents are caused by a driving error, like driving distracted.

When driving, make sure you are buckled up, and have your focus on the road! Here are some additional driving safety tips:

• Avoid distractions – never text, eat, groom or use electronics while operating a moving vehicle.
• Maintain a safe following distance – leave at least 2-3 seconds between you and the car ahead.
• Check blind spots – glance over your shoulder before changing lanes or merging.
• Watch speed limits – exceeding the limit significantly increases accident risk.
• Drive slowly in bad weather – rain, snow and ice require extra precautions.
• Get adequate sleep – drowsy driving can impair reactions as much as intoxication.
• Leave early – rushing increases mistakes; allot extra travel time instead.
• Service vehicle regularly – faulty parts like bald tires can lead to loss of control.

Following these guidelines can help reduce your chances of being involved in a serious or fatal collision. However, sometimes crashes happen due to the fault of another driver.

If you get injured in an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence, contact our experienced personal injury law firm Atticus Injury Law right away. Our attorneys can help you receive compensation for medical bills, lost income, vehicle damage and other crash expenses. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation!