One of the most common personal injury accidents is a car accident. Because they’re so common, you want to know as much as possible about them. The more you know about car accident statistics, the better you’ll be able to handle a car accident from a legal perspective.
Here are some of the more interesting car accident statistics from 2022 from the BDIW Law team.
Decrease in Traffic Fatalities
Since the beginning of the pandemic, car accidents have increased significantly across the country. But according to recent statistics, there may be a small decrease in traffic fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 31,785 people died from traffic fatalities in the first nine months of 2022.
Compared to 2021, that is a 0.2% decrease. While it may not seem like such a significant decrease, it is a potential sign that fatal car accidents are starting to decline. NHTSA also projects another slight decrease in traffic fatalities during the third quarter of 2022.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYThe Average Number of Car Accidents
You may think that being a safe driver will help you avoid getting into a car accident. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Every driver is statistically expected to get into a couple of car accidents in their lifetime.
The average driver is expected to be involved in at least 2 to 4 accidents in their lifetime. There may be several factors that can contribute to this statistic. The increase of cars on the road and reckless driving behaviors are some of the factors that can cause you to be involved in an accident.
This leads to another interesting statistic.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Despite the changes in the transportation industry, there are still two main causes of car accidents: speeding and driving under the influence (DUI). According to the National Safety Council (NSC), speeding is still the leading factor in fatal car accidents. Since 2020, speeding has been the leading factor in 29% of fatal car accidents.
Because many drivers began to engage in dangerous behaviors like speeding during the pandemic, this isn’t surprising.
Another dangerous behavior that increased during the pandemic was driving under the influence. The NHTSA reports that there were 11,654 who died from car accidents caused by drunk driving in 2020. While drunk driving has always been a threat to drivers, there was a significant increase in alcohol consumption during the pandemic.
Gender Statistics and Car Accidents
Another interesting statistic is the different driving behaviors between men and women. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men are more likely to engage in riskier driving behaviors than women. According to the IIHS, this may happen because men drive more miles than women.
Because of this, car accidents involving male drivers are more severe than car accidents involving female drivers. However, women are more likely than men to be killed in car accidents of equal severity. However, the probability of a car accident with both genders decreases because of the next statistic: age.
Age Statistics and Car Accidents
The driver’s age is one factor that can decrease the risk of fatal car accidents. According to the NSC, certain age groups have a greater risk for crash rates. Even though drivers between the ages of 16 to 19 account for 3.5% of all licensed drivers, they are responsible for 8.9% of all crashes.
The agency also notes that the crash rate decreases as the age of the driver increases. Compared to drivers between 16 and 19, 65 and 74 account for 6.9% of all crashes and 7.7% of all fatal crashes. The same is true for other age groups. The crash rate generally decreases from the age of 24 and up.
Times of the Year
If you’ve ever felt like car accidents spike during certain seasons, you’re not alone. The NSC also reports that car accidents increase during certain months and that June is the month when the crash rate increases significantly. With the summer vacations and increased travel, many cars are on the roadways.
Compared to warmer months, the crash rate decreases during the colder seasons. According to the NSC, January and February contained the lowest fatal car accident rates.
Use of a Seat Belt
Seat belt use is another important factor in car accidents. It can make all of the difference between minor and fatal injuries. According to the NHTSA, seat belt use has increased for passengers in vehicles. The use of seat belts for front-seat passengers increased to 91.6% in 2022.
For cars traveling in fast traffic, passenger seat belt use increased to 93.3%. For medium-speed traffic, the percentage was also 91%. This may be in part because of the mandatory seat belt laws in some states.
Why You Should Work with an Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer
Each of these factors can contribute to your car accident. A drunk driver may seriously hurt you.
Another driver may have been engaging in reckless behaviors during the summertime.
You may even have some trouble seeking compensation for your injuries. The insurance company may argue that you weren’t wearing your seatbelt during the accident. You need a motor vehicle accident lawyer who can represent you with aggressive advocacy.
At BDIW Law, we represent clients involved in all types of motor vehicle accidents. Whether your injuries were moderate or catastrophic, you deserve to be properly compensated. Knowing you will be able to pay utility bills, medical expenses, and provide for your family while recovering from your injuries can help relieve a lot of stress.
Contact BDIW Law for a Free Consultation Today
The BDIW Law car accident team is here to examine your case, speak to witnesses, collect evidence, and fight for your right to fair compensation. Schedule a free consultation today if you’ve been seriously hurt in a car accident. We do not charge attorney fees until we are successful in our client’s cases.
Call our office, or submit a contact form today.
