PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to compare applicability, explanation power, and flexibility of traffic accident models between estimating model using the statistical method and the machine learning method. METHODS: In order to compare and analyze traffic accident models between model estimated using the statistical method and machine learning method, data acquisition was conducted, and traffic accident models were estimated using statistical methods such as negative binomial regression model, and machine learning methods such as a generalized regression neural network (GRNN). Then, the fitness of model as R2, root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), accuracy, etc., were determined to compare the traffic accident models. RESULTS: The results showed that the annual average daily traffic (AADT), speed limits, number of lanes, land usage, exclusive right turn lanes, and front signals were significant for both traffic accident models. The GRNN model of total traffic accidents had been better statistical significant with R2: 0.829, RMSE: 2.495, MAPE: 32.158, and Accuracy: 66.761 compared with the negative binomial regression model with R2: 0.363, RMSE: 9.033, MAPE: 68.987, and Accuracy: 8.807. The GRNN model of injury traffic accidents also showed similar results of model’s statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Traffic accident models estimated with GRNN had better statistical significance compared with models estimated with statistical methods such as negative binomial regression model.