Car accident fatalities are on the rise for the first time in over 6 years. Even though vehicle manufacturers continue to improve the safety of cars and trucks, drivers are still getting seriously injured and killed behind the wheel. Many of these accidents involve drivers who are driving under the influence of alcohol or who are engaging in distracted driving behaviors. In 2012 alone, over 33,561 motorists died in motor vehicle crashes.
If that statistic shocked you, here are 23 more that are guaranteed to surprise.
- There are more than 6 million car accidents on U.S. roads every year.
- Over 3 million people are injured in car accidents annually. Greater than 2 million of those injuries are permanent.
- More than 40,000 people die in car accidents every year, including more than 1,600 children under age 15.
- More than one-fifth of all motorists are involved in at least one car accident within a five year period.
- Distracted driving is responsible for at least one of every five auto accidents.
- More than half of the motorists fatally injured in automobile accidents were not wearing a seatbelt.
- The majority of fatal crashes in the United States occur in rural areas, not cities.
- Car accidents are the leading cause of death for people ages 1 to 30. People who are 15 to 24 years of age and those age 75 and older are the groups most seriously affected by car accidents.
- Speeding was the main contributing factor in nearly one-third of fatal car crashes.
- Among fatal crashes, more than three-quarters of occupants who were ejected from the vehicle were killed.
- Your greatest risk for being involved in a car accident comes between the hours of 3-6 p.m., and 9 p.m. and midnight.
- Every twelve minutes, a person dies as a result of a car accident. Every 14 seconds, a person is injured in a car accident.
- One-third of car accident fatalities result when reckless drivers leave the road and cause an accident.
- Males account for almost three-fourths of automobile accident fatalities.
- Almost half of drivers involved in speeding-related fatal crashes had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher.
- Drunk drivers contribute to 40 percent of car accident fatalities.
- Teen drivers are at least ten times more likely to be involved in a crash during their first year of driving than at any other time.
- The majority of car accident victims are the driver, then passengers, then pedestrians, followed by cyclists.
- Car accidents cost the U.S. $230.6 billion each year.
- In 2012, there were over 5.6 million car accidents across the United States, leading to 1.6 injury crashes.
- Over half of all motorists who were killed in car accidents were not wearing their seatbelts.
- In states that do not have universal helmet laws, there were 10 times as many motorcycle fatalities.
- 61% of large truck occupants that were killed actually died in single-truck crashes.
Car crashes are not always fatal, but they are always damaging. Even minor injuries can quickly become chronic conditions without the right medical care and rest. Many accident victims experience chronic neck and back pain long after their initial injury is “healed”. When a negligent driver injures you or someone you love, you have a right to seek legal compensation for your injuries.
CONTACT DENVER CAR CRASH LAWYERS
The experienced Denver car crash lawyers at Denver Trial Lawyers ® are ready to help you and our family after a devastating car crash. Our attorneys have a proven track record of success and can help you get the money you need to pay all your medical bills and fully recover. Remember-if we do not recover anything for you, you don't pay.
In a free consultation, a Denver attorney at Denver Trial Lawyers ® can inform you of your rights, educate you about the legal process, and discuss how we may be able to obtain compensation for you.
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