Americans regularly drive, whether to work, to the grocery store, to visit friends, or all the above.
Since driving is so ordinary, people hardly think of the risks of being behind the wheel every day. Yet, using the open road often increases the likelihood of an accident.
Car accidents are among the leading causes of death in the U.S. In 2021 alone, more than 42,000 people died, and thousands of others were injured in motor vehicle accidents. This was a 10.5% increase in traffic deaths from 2020.
The increased tendency to engage in dangerous driving behavior, such as speeding and not wearing a seat belt, contributes to this increase in motor vehicle fatalities.
This post will look at important car accident statistics and facts you probably did not know.
Car Accident Statistics and Facts
Car crash 2022 statistics and facts reveal that:
- About 38,000 people die in car accidents in the U.S every year.
- Nearly 4.8 million sustain severe injuries in auto collisions.
- 33% of all fatal car accidents occur at night.
- A third of fatal car accidents involve drunk driving.
- In 2019, more than 600 children under 12 died in auto accidents.
- 9% of teenage car accidents result from distracted driving.
- The average cost of a car accident is $9,500 in medical expenses, lost work time, and property damage.
- Car accidents cost the U.S about $474 billion in economic and social costs.
How Many Fatalities Are Caused Each Year by Car Accidents in the U.S.?
Approximately 38,000 people die in car accidents in the U.S every year. It is a serious problem not only in the U.S but rather globally.
If you look at auto accidents by year statistics, you will realize that 1.2 million people die in road crashes globally. Luckily, car makers are developing vehicle technologies to reduce traffic accidents.
Such technologies as preventive braking systems, self-steering cars, and automobile black box recorders are helping. The most effective one is a driver safety system known as Automatic Emergency Breaking (AEB).
How Many Car Accidents Take Place at Night?
Wondering what percentage of fatal car crashes occur at night? Well, 40% of all fatal car accidents in the U.S take place at night.
That is a jarring statistic considering that there’s 60% less traffic on the roads. That means you are at higher risk of being involved in an accident at night.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) analyzed factors contributing to the increased risk of fatal car accidents at night. They found that motorists are less likely to use safety belts at night due to the following:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
According to the NHTSA, speeding alone is responsible for 30% of all car crash deaths. 54% of these collisions occur at night and involve drunk drivers.
How Many Car Accidents Involve Drunk Driving?
Nearly a third of all fatal car accidents in the United States involve drunk driving. More than 11,654 people died in these preventable crashes in 2020.
On average, about 10,500 people died every year between 2011 and 2020 in drunk driving accidents.
Every state has laws that prohibit driving under the influence. Despite this, one person dies in a drunk-driving car crash every 45 minutes.
The thing is, even a negligible amount of alcohol that is below the legal limit of 0.08 can impair your driving skills. The only way to protect yourself is not to drink when you intend to drive.
How Many Children Die in Car Accidents?
According to the CDC, 607 child passengers aged below 12 died, and 63,000 more were injured in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S in 2020. Of those killed in an accident, 38% were not buckled up.
Apart from the seat belt, alcohol-impaired driving is another major threat to road users, including children. In 2020, 24% of child passenger deaths (14 years and younger) involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
Parents must be aware of these facts and statistics. This way, they can take necessary measures to protect their children from getting injured and possibly losing their lives in car accidents.
Which State Has the Lowest Percentage of Car Accidents?
Michigan has the lowest rate of motor vehicle crashes in the U.S at 6.18%. The state’s low accident rate can be attributed to the constant presence of traffic police on the streets and highways.
Motorists are also reminded to be cautious when driving because snow and ice often make the roads slippery.
Another interesting thing about Michigan is that it has only one traffic light per a thousand people. This factor contributes to the state’s low accident rate.
Nevada is another state with relatively low car accident rates in the U.S. Statistics of teenage accidents in Nevada show that it is the sixth least dangerous state for young drivers aged 15 to 20.
Which State Has the Highest Percentage of Car Accidents?
If you are wondering what state has the most car accidents in 2022, the answer is California. In 2020, California had the highest number of fatal crashes at 3,558, while Washington, D.C., had the lowest, 34.
Population size is a significant factor – California’s population is almost 56 times that of Washington D.C, and California residents probably drive longer distances more frequently than D.C motorists.
Insurance companies know that more people on the road lead to more car accidents. That is why drivers in populated cities pay more for car insurance than those in less populated areas.
Which State Has the Highest Number of Teens in Car Accidents?
Kentucky records the highest number of teen car accidents in the U.S. the number of teens involved in car accidents in the state is almost twice the national average.
Similarly, Kentucky has the country’s most teenage car accident fatalities, with 71.45 deaths per 100,000 teen drivers. The worst states are North Carolina, Arkansas, Montana, Mississippi, and New Mexico.
The primary reason teenagers cause these many accidents is that although they are eager to drive, they are not patient enough to learn. The thing is, not everyone passes their driving test on their first trial.
Most people fail severally before passing the test. So, if you wish to be a good driver, you must be patient.
What Is the Average Cost of a Car Accident?
People hardly think of a car crash as anything beyond a terrible life-changing event. But the truth is, the cost associated with a motor vehicle accident is far more than you can imagine.
A car accident will cost you money through medical bills, lost work time, and property damage. The average cost adds up to about $9,500.
Generally speaking, car accidents can cause personal and financial problems to the victims. In addition to the medical expenses and property damage, victims will spend time off work and lose income.
How Many Teen Accidents are Caused by Distracted Driving?
Distracted driving is a leading cause of car crashes among teenagers and young drivers. According to the CDC, 9% of teenage car accidents result from distracted driving.
The NHTSA further mentions that every day in the U.S, nine people die, and 1,000 more are injured in crashes involving distracted drivers.
In 2017, 3,166 individuals died in an accident caused by a distracted driver. These figures are shocking. It is crucial that parents talk to teen drivers about distracted driving and how to avoid tragedy.
What Is the Most Common Type of Crash Among Young Drivers?
Collision with fixed objects is one of the most common car crashes among young drivers. This type of accident commonly occurs among individuals between 16 and 21 and accounts for about 20% of all fatal crashes in the U.S.
Trees, guardrails, and utility poles are the most commonly struck objects. Nearly half of the fatalities resulting from fixed-object collisions happen at night, and alcohol is often a contributing factor.
Drivers are also likely to run off the road because of excessive speeding, poor visibility, or inattention. So, regardless of how often you drive, you can collide with fixed objects if you are not careful enough.
What Are the Most Crashed Cars in America?
When buying a new car, you may want to consider the vehicle’s overall safety rating. IIHS data shows that some vehicle makes and models are safer than others.
According to the report, Ford Fiesta tops the list of the most crashed cars in America, with 141 driver deaths for every million registered vehicle years.
Hyundai comes second with 116, Chevrolet Sonic with 98, and the Nisan Versa Note with 96.
These are 2017 statistics, and the IIHS publishes data after some years. Typically, the agency accesses vehicle registration data of a car model nearly two years after its release, and accident data take almost one more year to compile.
Legal Giant Is Here for You!
Car accidents occur far too often in our country, and many, if not most, are preventable. At Legal Giant, we take pride in representing car accident victims and fighting for their justice.
We care about helping victims of car crashes recover financially, physically, and emotionally following a car accident. Contact us for a free consultation today.
