Every year, about 37,000 people are killed in car accidents in the United States. Unfortunately, so many of these deadly collisions are preventable.
Florida has one of the highest traffic death rates in the country and counting, with statistics showing a 1.5% increase from 3,135 deaths in 2018 to 3,1383 in 2019.
Oftentimes these accidents are caused by risky driver and passenger behaviors, like speeding, tailgating, distracted driving, and driving in bad weather conditions. Whether or not drivers know the dangers of these bad habits, we can all learn from seeing what unsafe patterns cause crashes and take lives.
Statistics are a great way for us to understand those dangerous patterns and take action to make our roads safer. Here are some important accident-related numbers to know for 2021:
Quick Facts
Here are some car accident statistics at a glance:
- About 1.35 million people die each year worldwide from traffic crashes
- Road crashes cost the U.S. more than $380 million in direct medical costs.
- Drivers using mobile phones are approximately4 times more likely to be involved in a crash than drivers not using a mobile phone.
- The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among teens aged 16–19 than among any other age group.
- Every 1% increase in mean speed produces a 4% increase in the risk for a fatal crash
Car Accidents In America
America has one of the highest crash death rates in the world, with more than 15 deaths per 100,000 people caused by collisions in 2016. With so many busy highways and motor vehicle owners in the country, accidents are one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., with about 37,000 crashes occurring each year.
Who Else Is At Risk in An Auto Accident?
When an accident happens, drivers are not the only people in danger of getting hurt. Despite growing public awareness, so many passengers, roadside workers, bicyclists, and pedestrians are still very much at risk for serious crash injuries to this day.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), 2018 was especially deadly for these groups, as it had the most bicyclist and pedestrian deaths since the year 1990.
When a serious accident takes place, loss of life is also not the only cost. Traffic crashes cost the U.S. economy $871 billion in 2014, one study showed. Commenting on this statistic, the NHTSA said that ‘investments in safety are worth every penny’ to reduce the number and risk of accidents.
What Role Do Gender and Age Have In Auto Accidents?
Although it may seem odd, accident statistics show that a driver’s age and sex can play a part in their likeliness of getting into a crash. One example of this is that despite making up the smallest group of drivers on the road, people in the U.S. ages 16 to 20 are the most likely to be involved in a fatal crash, according to 2018 crash statistics.
When it comes to gender, statistics prove that male drivers are almost 3 times more likely to get into an accident on the road than female drivers.
What Are The Risk Of Accidents For Teen Drivers?
As relatively new drivers on the road, teenagers are extremely vulnerable to fatal traffic crashes. Some factors that make teenagers such an at-risk group include:
- inexperience
- driving at night and on weekends
- failing to use a seat belt
- alcohol use
- speeding
- distracted driving
- failure to obey traffic laws
Whether they engage in one of these habits or a combination, teens need guidance and good practice to become safer drivers.
How Does Time of Day Affect Crash Risk?
Although we all have different schedules and places to be throughout the day, there are trends for certain holidays and times in the day or week when deadly accidents are more likely to occur. For example, Memorial Day has the most collisions of any other American celebration, with 37% of them being alcohol-related.
As far as weekly statistics go, fatal accidents are more common on weekends, with the most happening on Saturdays. On average in 2019, non-fatal crashes were higher on weekdays and peaked on Fridays. Also, the time between 4 pm and 7:59 pm carries the most risk for accidents, which likely affects ‘nine to five’ commuters the most.
Driver Behaviors And Traffic Accidents
No matter how hard it is raining, or how heavy the traffic, your reaction to these kinds of outside conditions can make a huge difference to your safety on the road. Our driving habits are one of the most critical factors involved in causing and avoiding motor vehicle accidents.
Of all crash-causing behaviors, driving too fast and/or racing is the most dangerous, accounting for 16.7% of all fatal collisions involving drivers and motorcycle riders. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication is the second greatest trigger for deadly accidents, as it causes more than 10% of them. Other risky traffic infractions like failing to stay in the proper lane and failing to yield for a right of way result in about 14% of fatal collisions.
When it comes to driver behaviors causing accidents, it is worth noting how cell phone use quadruples your risk of a crash. With so many people now dependent on smartphones for communication and information, distracted driving accounts for 5% of all deadly accidents in the United States. Keep in mind that this statistic also accounts for other distractions, such as talking or eating while driving.
Weather And Road Conditions
According to the NHTSA, road conditions contribute to 3% of all fatal accidents in the U.S., where the driver’s vision is blocked by hazards, such as:
- rain
- snow
- glare
- lights
- a building, or
- trees.
Depending on where you live, weather patterns and environmental risks can put you in danger of a life-threatening collision. For example, Florida drivers can be especially vulnerable to heavy rain and floods, wind, debris, and tornadoes.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that 21% of the total crashes per year (both fatal and non-fatal) are weather-related.
Safety Devices Can Save Your Life
If you are about to crash, a seatbelt or an airbag could make all the difference in the world. For instance, wearing a helmet lowers motorcycle riders’ risk of death by 37% and the risk of head injury by 69%.
Seatbelts remain one of the most life-saving devices in U.S. crashes, saving an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. According to the NHTSA, wearing one reduces the risk of deadly injuries to front-seat passengers by 47%.
What Do I Do After A Florida Car Accident?
As statistics show, drivers with bad behaviors put themselves and others in danger. Negligent drivers can cause unnecessary accidents and put even the safest drivers at risk of death or injury.
If you are suffering from the loss of a crash victim or were injured in an accident, you may want to speak with an experienced attorney. Hiring an attorney can take some weight off your shoulders and result in a much better case outcome.
Call our office today at 813.755.9500 and we can get you started with a free and confidential case consultation. Or contact us online 24/7, anytime.
