So there were 220,000 car wrecks in North Carolina the last year we have records for. This means there were 600 or so a day in a 365 day year. Assuming that the majority happen where the majority of cars are would lead one to believe that in a major metro area it wouldn't be hard to see a wreck most days. Maybe even witness a few if you do more than commute. And NC isn't the biggest state population wise.
By the way the one percent figure given, if even close, still means 2200 of those are caused by distracted drivers with phones.

No way would someone witness an accident even once a week even if they were on the road all day long.
You may be able to drive around and see the aftermath of a accident almost every day, but actually witnessed the event is a rare thing. I have seen maybe three or four in my entire lifetime.
Oh I've seen a bunch.
Aside from those I've been directly involved in, I've seen fender benders at drive-thrus, I saw a truck run OVER a car trying to take a left turn in a right turn only lane, neglecting to look to see if a car was in the left lane.
I saw a car sideswipe another car on a double lane off ramp.
I've seen multiple other fender bender/rear endings.