Tens of thousands of people are killed in car accidents in the United States each year. Distraction, ignorance, or infirmity may have contributed to some of these mishaps. Others, however, cannot be avoided. There is one thing they all have in common: they all result in the loss of life.
Even while most drivers are aware of the potential perils of driving and the possibility of dying in a car accident, only a small percentage have faced the actual numbers that demonstrate exactly how great a risk they are taking each time they step behind the wheel of a vehicle. These numbers are all too known to car accident lawyers, including the experienced trial attorneys at Stoy Law Group.
We’ve gathered a comprehensive look at the death statistics associated with automobiles to help put things in perspective. The goal of this study is to identify the risks that all drivers face of being involved in a fatal accident and to identify the most important elements and behaviours that influence those risks.
What Happens if You Die in a Car Accident?
If you’re an American, your lifetime odds of being killed in an automobile accident are approximately 1 in 107. There is a 0.91 percent possibility that every person in the country with a valid driver’s licence and a working vehicle will be involved in a traffic-related accident.
A number of important data points are used to calculate these odds, including the total number of vehicular deaths, the current population, and the average life expectancy of driving-age individuals across various demographics. These odds are considered highly accurate and reliable in predictive modelling.
A slip and fall accident’s death rate is around 1 in 106, whereas an opioid overdose’s death rate is 1 in 92, and a suicide’s death rate is 1 in 88. Cancer and heart disease, which kill 1 in 7 Americans, are still the most common causes of mortality in the United States.
Many of the dangers that lurk over people’s daily lives are more immediate, and driving is one of the more perilous activities.
Regardless, these statistics show how critical it is to maintain safe driving habits in order to reduce the manageable risks that will prove fatal to 1 in every 107 Americans.
Crash Factors That Affect Your Probability of Death
When you grab your keys and leave the house, you’re taking a risk with your health and well-being.
Nevertheless, your ability to survive can be enhanced or harmed by a variety of factors, some of which are more favourable than others. To increase your chances of becoming a statistic, consider the following things.
Frequency of Driving
The more you drive, the more likely you are to be in a catastrophic accident, according to basic probability. Even yet, that’s only one factor that contributes to an elevated risk; none of the other factors discussed here are considered.
If you must drive, there are steps you may take to lessen the risk of injury or death. When you do venture out, make only necessary journeys and use defensive driving techniques. Plan your errands for times when traffic is less congested, such as early in the morning or late in the evening after the rush has passed.
Negligent Driving Practices
When negligence and technology distractions are added to the equation, the overall chance of car accidents climbs significantly. Distracted or inattentive driving may be to blame for as many as 40% of all car accidents, according to some estimates.
Disconnecting from electronic devices and concentrating solely on driving and handling your vehicle is the greatest approach to avoid such mishaps. It’s also a good idea to pay attention to your surroundings, keep a safe distance from other motorists, and avoid engaging in distracting conversations with your passengers while driving.
Gender
Men are more than twice as likely as women to die in car accidents, according to a report released by the Department of Transportation in 2012.
Due to the fact that men drive a lot more frequently than women, this gap is most likely due to this.
Also well-documented is the tendency of male drivers, particularly those who are male, to engage in risky behaviours such as speeding or driving under the influence, which demonstrates the importance of these two characteristics in determining road fatality rates.
Intoxication
Your ability to drive can be severely impaired by the effects of alcohol, narcotics, and some prescription medications. All three forms of intoxicants have been shown to diminish visual acuity, reaction time, perception of events, and critical thinking in its users.
As a result, it should come as no surprise that over 30% of fatal single-vehicle accidents and close to 15% of fatal multiple-vehicle accidents are caused in part by these chemicals.
Do not drink or use recreational drugs before driving if you want to prevent increasing either of these numbers. Only take legally prescribed medications as instructed by your doctor (or altogether).
Speed
When discussing reckless driving, it’s common to include speeding as a contributing factor. In light of the fact that even if you strictly adhere to all other traffic laws, you might still end up in a car accident by driving too quickly, we thought it was important enough to bring up in this article.
Excessive speed, rather than inattentive driving, is the most common cause of car fatalities. If your speed rises by just one percent, your risk of being involved in a fatal car accident rises by four percent.
In fact, the National Highway Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found that speeding is responsible for more than a quarter of all traffic deaths.
Watch your speed, that’s all this situation teaches you. There’s a good purpose for speed limits, and that’s to keep people safe. As a result, people suffer.
What Is the Fatality Rate of Car Accidents?
The National Safety Council estimates that 0.91 percent of the 13.5 million car accidents that occur each year in the United States result in fatalities.
Less than one percent mortality may not seem alarming, but in actuality it equates to 39,000 annual deaths, or 12 fatalities per 100,000 drivers in a given location.
The number of persons killed by gun violence, drowning, or house fires in a typical calendar year is significantly less than this number of people.
There are an additional 4.1 million crashes each year that result in moderate to severe injuries that require medical attention. Such injuries can quickly become fatal if they’re not treated properly and promptly, which is why so many people fail to do so. Many people are left with life-altering injuries, such as shattered bones, brain trauma, nerve damage and paralysis from even the most minor accidents.
Odds of a Car Crash-Related Death Per Year
Accident fatality rates are not predetermined. Variations occur on a yearly and monthly basis because of numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the amount of vehicles on the road. In fact, there is some evidence to suggest that things are actually improving right now.
All of these numbers have one silver lining: the number of deadly car accidents in the United States each year appears to be decreasing. There were considerable decreases in most road safety categories in the last data collection period for the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Fatalities among those inside of motor vehicles carrying passengers (630 fewer deaths, a 2.8 percent decrease)
- The number of fatalities caused by alcohol-impaired driving (568 fewer deaths, a 5.3 percent decrease)
- Injuries to pedestrians (169 fewer deaths, a 2.7 percent decrease)
- Fatalities using pedal-powered vehicles (25 fewer deaths, a 2.9 percent decrease)
This pattern can be explained by a number of different factors. On the plus side, recent NHTSA car safety evaluations show that automobiles are becoming safer.
On the other hand, a rising number of motorists have come to realise the dangers of distracted and intoxicated driving, not to mention the more harsh legal consequences that await those who are found guilty.
In any case, this is a promising development that should lead to fewer people dying needlessly in the future.
In the Event of a Car Accident, Here’s What to Do
It doesn’t have to be a tragic car accident to have a major impact on your life. For those who have suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you’re likely wondering what your next step should be.
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Fortunately, you Don’t have to do it by Yourself.
Warriors for Justice’s personal injury attorneys have a combined total of more than 100 years of experience in resolving traffic-related misdemeanours. We’re convinced that we can win your case and obtain the restitution you deserve if you have a compelling claim of liability against another party.
Fill out our online case evaluation form or call us at (817) 820-0100 for a free consultation with one of our accomplished attorneys. In order to make our world a safer and more accountable place, we must work together.
