Each year, motor vehicle crashes cost the country nearly $720 million dollars and tragically end the lives of 43,000 Americans. Those recent government statistics also conclude that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 3-33 since 2002.
Despite all the safety features and accidents prevention measure you take, there is a high likelihood that you or someone you love will be involved in a motor vehicle accident. While minor fender benders result in inconvenience and frustration, serious crashes can alter a driver’s life forever. Drivers can always replace their car, but may never be able to recover from the physical damage suffered in a car accident.
Attorneys who handle car accidents play a major role in protecting the legal rights of victims, it doesn’t matter whether you are living in Phoenix or Sacramento, choosing an experienced compassionate attorney is a critical step toward recovering both physically and financially from a car accident.
Although driver reaction times and skill comprise a large part of accident prevention, a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gathered data on fatality rates among different types of motor vehicles.
Generally, a larger the car is, the smaller the risk of a driver fatality. Hence, smaller cars have a greater risk of fatality in a vehicle crash. Pickups and SUVs have a higher rate of fatalities than cars when weight is similar. Another factor is electronic stability control. The safest models of vehicles with the lowest fatality rates all have ESC.
Car accidents are divided into a few categories:
Truck under-ride accidents
Backup accidents
Suicides
Rear-end collision
Head-on collisions
Rollovers
Side impact collisions
While most injuries suffered by car accident victims are minor they are still painful. Whiplash, as well as cuts and scrapes or bruised muscles. Sadly, others are tragic and can result in crippling brain and spinal cord injuries, paralysis, or even death.
Though some accident circumstances do not cause serious personal injury or require a lawsuit to be filed, you should always be aware of your legal rights and have information accessible if the need arises.
Drunk Driving Accidents and Statistics
• 80% of all drunk driving accidents are from beer consumption.
• 30% of all Americans will be in a drunk driving crash at some point.
• 51% of all fatal crashes happen on the weekends.
Deadliest days to Drive
Based on 25 years of research statistics compiled by NHTSA:
• July 4
• July 3
• Dec. 23
• Dec. 24
• Dec. 22
• Aug. 3
• Jan. 1
• Sept. 1
• Sept. 2
• Aug. 4
Latest Car Accident Research: Carnegie-Mellon University released a study on January 18, 2007, revealing a number of startling statistics about vehicle accidents:
• There are 1.35 male deaths as opposed to .77 female deaths for every 100 million miles driven.
• Male drivers are 77% more likely to die in a car accident than women.
• Elderly women are 60% more likely to suffer a fatal accident than a 16-year-old boy
• Elderly women are 5 times more likely to die on the road even as a passengers, and are subject to the highest road related death risks in the U.S.
• Male drivers 16-23 are four times more likely to be involved in a fatal vehicle accident than the average driver, due to inexperience and lack of maturity.
• The reasons for elevated risks of male drivers include speeding, and a higher likelihood of drinking and driving.
• Drivers between 40 and 50 have the lowest risk of being involved in a fatal car accident
• Infants and children up to 4 years old have the lowest death risks
• School buses had a similar safety rating, with a one-50th fatality rating in comparison to passenger cars
• Motorcycle riders were 32% more likely to suffer fatal accidents compared to passenger vehicles