Fatalities in Traffic Accidents in Turkey Decreased by 5 Percent

According to the 2025 report based on TÜİK data by the General Directorate of Highways, fatalities in traffic accidents in Turkey decreased by 5 percent compared to the previous year. While a total of 1 million 549 thousand 574 traffic accidents occurred in the country last year, 288 thousand 321 of them were recorded as fatal or injury accidents. As a result of these accidents, 403 thousand 937 people were injured to various degrees, and unfortunately, 6 thousand 35 people lost their lives. Another important data revealed in the report was that the fatality rate per 100 thousand vehicles decreased from 20.3 to 18. Authorities believe that the security measures taken and road works were effective in this decrease.

In the report, which emphasized that driver errors play a decisive role in the occurrence of accidents, it was stated that 90.6 percent of the faults causing fatal and injury accidents stemmed directly from drivers. In the assessments made by the authorities, it was noted that the most common traffic violation was the failure to adjust speed according to road, weather, and traffic conditions. This situation once again reveals how vital the sensitivity that drivers must show towards traffic rules and environmental factors is. Experts believe that factors such as distraction, fatigue, and non-compliance with rules are among the root causes of accidents. It is stated that increasing driver training and awareness campaigns could further reduce accidents in the future.

Attorney Şule Çatlı, stating that traffic accidents are not limited to material damage, emphasized that the incidents have significant criminal and compensation dimensions. Çatlı stated that the accident report, expert witness reports, fault examination, and medical reports form the basis of both the criminal investigation and the compensation process. She warned that if fault rates are not objected to within the time limit, rights losses that are extremely difficult to compensate may occur in later legal stages. She added to her words that victims must collect all evidence flawlessly in order to protect their rights. Additionally, she stated that correctly utilizing the means of seeking legal recourse during the judicial process is the greatest tool for remedying grievances.

On the other hand, according to the data of the Insurance Arbitration Commission, the most frequent applications within the scope of traffic insurance in 2025 consisted of vehicle depreciation claims, and exactly 396 thousand 945 files reached the commission on this subject. Attorney Çatlı specifically emphasized that the decrease in the second-hand market value of a repaired vehicle is a category of damage independent of the direct repair cost. She stated that vehicle owners who are faultless or less at fault in the accident have the right to claim this depreciation from the faulty party's compulsory traffic insurance. In addition to this, there are many extra rights, such as the vehicle deprivation fee incurred during the time the vehicle stays in the service, loss of income compensation, and treatment expenses. It was also reminded that in the event of a fatal or serious injury accident, the relatives left behind can claim compensation for loss of support.

According to the March 2026 data of TÜİK, it is seen that the number of registered motor land vehicles in Turkey reached 34 million 23 thousand 986. Along with this massive vehicle fleet, approximately 871 thousand vehicles changing hands in a month further increases the importance of accident history and damage records in the second-hand vehicle market. Looking on a global scale, World Health Organization data shows that approximately 1.19 million people lose their lives in traffic accidents every year worldwide, and 20 to 50 million people are injured. The fact that traffic accidents continue to be one of the most important causes of death worldwide among young people aged 5-29 reveals the seriousness of the issue. Experts persistently warn that in order to avoid experiencing both material and legal rights losses after an accident, all drivers must carefully track their application and statute of limitations periods.