Unfortunately, car accidents happen frequently. In the US, 35,766 people died on the roads in 2020. Accidental injuries totaled 1,593,390, and reported incidents of property damage totaled. 3,621,681.
“Since car accidents are inevitable, it is important to protect yourself after an accident has occurred. Employing an experienced accident lawyer to represent you provides you the best protection,” says attorney Matthew Aulsbrook of Aulsbrook Car & Truck Lawyers,
Causes of accidents
One of the most significant causes of auto accidents is drunk driving. Over 35% of motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol result in fatalities. Shockingly, the majority of DUI accidents (67%) occurred at night, while 23% took place during the day.
Speeding is another critical factor that increases the likelihood of accidents, accounting for 29% of all collisions and resulting in 11,258 fatalities.
Wearing a seatbelt is also crucial to safety while driving, as almost half of passengers and drivers involved in fatal crashes were not wearing one, greatly increasing the risk of severe and catastrophic injuries.
The time of day and day of the week also have a significant impact on auto accidents, with rates higher at night and on weekends and holidays. Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays account for approximately half of all fatal car accidents, with July 4th and September 3rd being the deadliest holidays, averaging 134 and 128 crashes, respectively.
Rates of Fatality
Vehicle incidents that result in death are especially catastrophic. Statistics on auto accidents may reveal when and how tragic crashes happen without proper cause.
In 2020, 38,824 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, with 35,766 being Americans. Shockingly, a fatal car accident occurs every 15 minutes in the US, as per Forbes Advisor. Furthermore, there has been a 7% increase in fatal car accidents from 2019 to 2020. Though thousands of auto accidents take place each year, only a small fraction of them result in fatalities. In 2020, 1% of car accidents resulted in the loss of lives.
Certain types of accidents are more likely to be fatal, such as those caused by drunk driving or speeding. In 2020, 11,654 and 11,259 individuals were killed in such accidents, respectively. Unfortunately, young drivers and passengers under 20 are commonly involved in fatal car accidents, with 4,414 under-20-year-olds losing their lives in 2020, accounting for 11% of all fatal car accidents. Additionally, injuries caused by under-20 drivers numbered 437,677.
Fatalities Based on Age
Newly licensed drivers are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal accident during their first year of driving. In fact, drivers aged 16 to 20 have a twice higher rate of dying in car accidents compared to passengers aged 10-15. However, somewhat older drivers aged 25 to 34 are more prone to suffering severe injuries or dying in auto accidents.
How prevalent is drinking and driving among teenagers? DUI statistics suggest that many young people consume alcohol before getting behind the wheel. In fact, 17% of high school students have ridden in a vehicle driven by a drunk driver, and 10% of them have driven under the influence themselves. This is particularly alarming considering that 29% of young drivers who were involved in fatal auto accidents had alcohol in their systems.
Seniors may face challenges such as slower reaction times or physical and cognitive impairments that can make driving hazardous. In 2020, about 6,500 people aged 65 lost their lives in car accidents, while 230,000 others suffered injuries.
Gender-Based Traffic Collisions
Research on auto accidents has shown that the chances of dying or being injured in collisions differ between men and women. In 2020, 28,033 men and 10,690 women died in crashes, and 1,159,030 men and 1,122,884 women were injured. Furthermore, men are more likely to drive drunk and die on the roadways.
In 2020, there were 39,393 male drunk drivers compared to 13,033 female drunk drivers involved in fatal accidents. Men are also more likely than women to drive aggressively and at high speeds. According to Forbes Advisor, 31.5% of males admitted to quick lane changes and other aggressive driving, compared to 21.4% of females. Men are more likely than women to go 15 mph over the posted speed limit (52% vs. 44.6% of women) and run red lights (32.2% vs. 30% of women).
However, regardless of gender, 80% of drivers admit to driving aggressively. On a positive note, older drivers tend to be more cautious, while drivers aged 16-20 speed more frequently. Among this age group, 35% of males and 18% of females admit to speeding.
Accidents of a Vehicle Type
Statistics on auto accidents show that some modes of transportation are riskier than others.
Motorbike riders and pedestrians are at considerable risk due to the lack of vehicle protection. In terms of types of cars, passenger vehicles are the most prone to accidents. In 2020, 20,868 fatalities and 50,735 injuries were related to passenger vehicles, with station wagons and 4-door automobiles involved in 4,822 and 2,149 fatal crashes, respectively. Motorcyclists are also at high risk, with 5,579 killed and 82,528 injured in 88,107 motorcycle accidents.
Pedestrians are also vulnerable, with 6,516 fatalities and 54,769 injuries in pedestrian collisions. When it comes to trucks, light pickup trucks are involved in more accidents than larger vehicles, with 20,566 killed in 8,779 collisions in 2020, while 4,482 fatal car accidents were caused by semi-trucks and other large vehicles. As for ride-sharing services, in 2020, Uber reported 42 fatalities related to their services.
In conclusion
It is essential to be aware of the high-risk areas, causes of accidents, and the number of casualties resulting from such occurrences. By taking proactive measures, such as avoiding drunk driving, observing speed limits, and wearing seatbelts, we can reduce the number of fatalities resulting from auto accidents.
