California Cities with the Most and Least Slip and Fall Accidents

What the Data Reveals—and What It Means for Injury Victims Seeking Justice

Slip and fall accidents are among the most frequent causes of injury in California, often resulting in broken bones, head trauma, spinal damage, and long-term disability. According to recent analyses by Personal Injury San Diego, Hillstone Law, and the California Office of Traffic Safety, certain cities report significantly higher rates of slip and fall incidents than others. These rankings are based on reported accidents per 100,000 residents, using data from the California Department of Public Health, local health departments, and U.S. Census population estimates.

At The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C., we’ve helped victims across California recover compensation for injuries caused by unsafe conditions—and we know that where an accident happens can shape both its cause and its legal outcome.

Top 20 California Cities with the Most Slip and Fall Accidents

These cities report the highest rates of slip and fall incidents per 100,000 residents:

Rank	City	Population	Annual Incidents	Rate per 100,000
1	Los Angeles	3,979,576	7,548	189.8
2	San Diego	1,423,851	2,630	184.7
3	San Francisco	881,549	1,603	181.9
4	San Jose	1,021,795	1,757	171.9
5	Fresno	530,093	912	172.0
6	Sacramento	513,624	878	171.0
7	Long Beach	466,776	797	170.7
8	Bakersfield	403,455	680	168.5
9	Oakland	433,823	730	168.3
10	Anaheim	350,365	590	168.3
11	Riverside	334,772	562	167.9
12	Santa Ana	332,318	558	167.8
13	Irvine	307,670	510	165.8
14	Chula Vista	275,487	456	165.5
15	Glendale	201,361	335	166.4
16	Huntington Beach	198,711	328	165.0
17	Modesto	218,464	360	164.8
18	Oxnard	208,881	342	163.8
19	Fontana	213,739	348	162.9
20	Moreno Valley	208,634	338	162.0

San Diego: A Legal Perspective

San Diego ranks second statewide for slip and fall accident rates. As a coastal city with high tourism, aging infrastructure, and dense commercial zones, hazards are common in:

Parking lots and walkways near beaches and marinas
Grocery stores, big-box retailers, and shopping centers
Public parks, transit stations, and government buildings

At The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, we’ve handled cases involving wet floors, broken tiles, poor lighting, and negligent maintenance throughout San Diego County.

Top 20 California Cities with the Least Slip and Fall Accidents

These cities report the lowest rates of slip and fall incidents per capita:

Rank	City	Population	Annual Incidents	Rate per 100,000
1	Davis	69,413	80	115.3
2	San Ramon	75,995	89	117.1
3	Cupertino	60,257	70	116.1
4	Morgan Hill	45,742	53	115.8
5	Palo Alto	66,573	78	117.2
6	Pleasanton	82,321	97	117.8
7	Foster City	33,805	39	115.3
8	Rocklin	71,601	84	117.3
9	El Dorado Hills	50,547	59	116.7
10	Yorba Linda	68,336	80	117.1
11	Laguna Niguel	65,265	76	116.5
12	Aliso Viejo	52,176	61	116.9
13	Danville	44,605	52	116.5
14	Los Gatos	30,222	35	115.8
15	Mill Valley	14,456	17	117.6
16	Lafayette	25,391	29	114.2
17	Agoura Hills	20,330	23	113.1
18	Belmont	27,110	31	114.4
19	Moraga	17,783	20	112.5
20	Orinda	19,514	22	112.7

Why These Cities Fare Better

Lower slip and fall rates in these communities are often attributed to:

Smaller populations and lower pedestrian density
Well-maintained sidewalks, parks, and public buildings
Strong municipal investment in infrastructure and safety signage
Community engagement and public education on fall prevention

These cities serve as models for proactive safety planning and hazard mitigation.

What Drives Slip and Fall Risk Across California

Whether in a dense urban center or a quiet suburb, several factors influence the likelihood of slip and fall accidents:

Population Density: More people means more foot traffic—and more opportunities for unsafe conditions to cause harm.
Weather Conditions: Rain, fog, and coastal moisture contribute to slick surfaces and hidden hazards.
Infrastructure Age: Cracked sidewalks, broken tiles, and outdated lighting systems are common in older cities.
Commercial Activity: Retail stores, restaurants, and public venues must maintain safe premises—but many fail to do so consistently.
Negligence: Property owners who ignore known hazards or fail to warn visitors can be held liable under California law.

Legal Rights for Slip and Fall Victims

Under California’s premises liability statutes, property owners and managers have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions. If they fail—and someone is injured as a result—they may be held financially responsible for:

Medical expenses
Lost income and reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Long-term rehabilitation or disability

Victims should act quickly to preserve evidence, seek medical care, and consult an attorney experienced in slip and fall litigation.

Why Contact The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock

At The Law Office of Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C., we represent slip and fall victims throughout California—from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. Our firm offers:

Decades of experience in premises liability and injury litigation
Strategic coordination with medical experts and investigators
Compassionate, client-centered representation
A proven track record of securing substantial settlements

If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident, contact our San Diego office today for a free consultation. We’ll help you understand your rights and pursue justice with clarity and resolve.

References

Hillstone Law. (2025, August 24). 15 slip and fall accident statistics in California you need to know in 2025. https://hillstonelaw.com/15-slip-and-fall-accident-statistics-in-california-you-need-to-know-in-2025/
Personal Injury San Diego. (2025). The cities in California with the most and least slip and fall accidents. https://www.personalinjurysandiego.org/topics/the-cities-in-california-with-the-most-and-least-slip-and-fall-accidents/
California Department of Public Health. (2024). Injury surveillance and fall-related hospitalization data. https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/SACB/Pages/InjurySurveillance.aspx
California Office of Traffic Safety. (2024). Pedestrian safety and injury trends by city. https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/research-statistics/pedestrian-safety/
U.S. Census Bureau. (2024). California city population estimates. https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html
Law Offices of Melinda J. Helbock. (2025). Most Common Slip and Fall Injuries. Retrieved from https://www.helbocklaw.com/most-common-injuries-from-slip-and-fall-accidents/