Most people get in a car accident at some point in their lives. The good news is that nearly all of these accidents are minor, causing only damage to your car and perhaps your confidence as a driver. The risk of sustaining an injury in a car accident is lower and the risk of death is lower still—and, thanks to safety innovations in the automotive industry, this risk is decreasing all the time. How likely is it to get in a car accident? Here’s what you need to know.
The Statistics on Car Accidents
When people evaluate their risk of getting into a car accident, they usually look for statistics on crashes. Here’s some data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on car accidents in the United States in 2018:
- There were 33,654 fatal crashes.
- 6,734,000 car crashes were reported to the police.
- There were 2,710,000 people injured in car accidents.
- The fatality rate per 100,000 population was 11.17.
- The injury rate per 100,000 population was 828.
- There was an average of 100 fatalities per day and 7,425 people injured per day; 29 of these fatalities were due to alcohol-impaired driving.
- The percentage of passenger car drivers involved in fatal crashes who had BACs of .08 or higher was 21%.
Understanding the Risks of Getting in a Car Accident
Knowing the statistics and making sense of them are two separate matters. The first thing that these statistics tell us is that drinking and driving increases your risk of being involved in a fatal car accident. Wearing a seatbelt, obeying speed limits, and following traffic laws all minimize your risk of sustaining an injury.
It’s also important to note that risks are different across different populations. Teenage drivers have elevated risk due to inexperience, distraction, driving under the influence, and speeding—this elevated risk continues all the way into your 20s, when it begins to decline. Senior citizens who drive are at a higher risk of fatality and injury because their bodies are less able to withstand the forces of a car crash.
There are a number of additional factors at play that affect your risk. More car accident fatalities occur in rural areas than urban, but in urban areas, car accident fatalities are highest at night, while in rural areas, they’re highest in daytime hours. Men are more likely to be involved in car accidents than women, although this may be because men also drive more miles per year; driving more miles is another factor that increases risk.
In summary, although the overall car accident injury rate was 828 in 100,000 for 2018, your actual risk depends on your age, sex, location, and how well you follow the law, among other factors. Some of these factors you can control, while others you can’t.
What to Do If You’re Involved in a Car Accident
If you’re involved in a car accident in Tacoma, contact Tacoma car accident attorney Bryan P. Stubbs at 253-383-5891. Whether it’s negotiating on your behalf with insurance companies or representing you in court, we’ll fight for your rights and make sure you get the justice you deserve.
