TL;DR: The United States experiences thousands of car accidents every day, resulting in injuries and fatalities. Leading causes include distracted driving, alcohol, speeding, and fatigue.
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Car accidents happen every day across the United States, often with devastating consequences. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report showed that about 2.44 million people were injured in U.S. motor vehicle crashes in 2023. More recent reports show a continuing trend. In the same year, approximately 40,901 people were killed in U.S. motor vehicle crashes.
Based on these figures, more than 100 people die each day due to these crashes. That adds up to more than 36,000 traffic deaths per year, showing how even small daily numbers reflect a major public safety issue.
The United States experiences more car accident fatalities and injuries than any other developed country. For injury victims, these numbers show just how common crashes are and how easily they can happen to anyone. Even careful drivers can find themselves hurt because of someone elseโs negligence. According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT), the U.S. has a higher traffic fatality rate per capita than many other high-income countries.
California is among the states with a high number of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. In 2023, the state reported over 4,000 traffic deaths, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.
Negligent driving is one of the common causes of car accidents in California. If another driverโs actions led to your injuries, you may have legal options. Many personal injury claims each year arise from situations just like yours.
The team at Arash Law has years of experience helping injury victims understand their rights and navigate the claims process. If you have questions about what to do next, weโre here to listen and provide guidance. Reach out at (888) 488-1391 for a free, no-obligation initial consultation.
Car Accidents In The United States Every Day
There are thousands of motor vehicle accidents in the United States every day, which result in hundreds of deaths. Understanding the numbers behind these crashes helps highlight just how common and serious they are.
- The NHTSA notes that there were 6.76 million police-reported auto accidents in the United States in 2019, resulting in more than 18,000 auto accidents daily. The actual number may be even higher, as many minor or property-only accidents go unreported.
- Approximately one in three auto accidents results in non-fatal personal injuries.
- More fatal car accidents in urban areas occurred in 2019 than in rural areas.
- In 2019, an estimated 19,595 fatalities occurred in urban crashes, compared to over 16,340 deaths in rural crashes.
- There were approximately 28 deaths per day in 2019 caused by drinking and driving, which is roughly one person every 50 minutes.
- About 17 pedestrians died daily in 2019 from a car accident; 208 pedestrians sustained injuries daily.
- Damages from auto accidents in the United States include medical costs, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
At Arash Law, our accident lawyers help Californians understand their rights and navigate the aftermath of car accidents. If youโve suffered injuries in a crash, call us to book a free initial case review. We have decades of experience handling car accident claims and are committed to advocating for your rights.
Causes Of Fatal Car Accidents In The United States
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), several major factors contribute to car accidents each year:
- Drunk Driving โ In 2019, there were 10,142 fatalities linked to alcohol-impaired driving.
- Speeding โ As a form of reckless driving, speeding contributed to 9,478 traffic deaths that same year.
- Distracted Driving โ Activities like texting behind the wheel were tied to 3,142 deaths in 2019.
- Drowsy Driving โ Police-reported data attributed 697 fatalities to drowsy driving in 2019, although researchers suggest this figure may be an underestimate.
- Marijuana Use โ Research shows that drivers who use marijuana may have an increased risk of being involved in a crash.
Data from 2010 estimated that drunk driving accidents and speeding-related crashes cost the U.S. around $201 billion in total economic losses, including medical costs, lost productivity, and more. These costs include emergency response, medical treatment, property damage, lost wages, and long-term care for the injured.
Alcohol And Fatal Accidents In The United States
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is illegal in both California and across the United States. Even small amounts of alcohol can impair a personโs judgment, coordination, and reaction time, raising the risk of a serious crash.
A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered over the legal limit. At this level, key driving functions such as concentration, perception, and information processing become compromised. Drivers may have difficulty controlling speed, detecting danger, or reacting in time.
In 2019, over 646,000 people were arrested in the U.S. for DUI-related offenses. Thousands of fatal crashes that year involved alcohol impairment, according to national data.
In addition to criminal charges, an impaired driver may be held civilly liable for any damages they cause. Californiaโs comparative fault laws may allow injured parties to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and other losses even if they were partly responsible for the accident. DUI accident victim lawyers often handle these claims, helping victims and families understand their rights, deal with insurance companies, and pursue financial recovery after a crash.
What Is The Chance Of Getting In A Car Accident?
The average American driver has a 2โ3% chance of being involved in a car accident each year. That means roughly 1 in 40 drivers is involved in a crash annually. This estimate is based on national data showing around 6 million crashes a year and about 243 million licensed drivers. By dividing the number of crashes by the number of drivers, we get an annual risk of about 2.5%.
These crashes range from minor fender benders to catastrophic injuries and fatal accidents. In 2022, for example, there were approximately 2.38 million injuries and 42,514 deaths from motor vehicle accidents nationwide.
Crashes happen for many reasons, but distracted driving accidents are among the most common, fueled by texting, phone use, and other in-car distractions. Other risk factors include alcohol, speeding, and fatigue.
Many traffic accidents are not fatal, but even minor collisions can lead to injuries, vehicle damage, and financial losses. Driving defensively, avoiding distractions, and following traffic laws can reduce your risk, but they canโt eliminate it entirely.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Understanding the types of injuries that commonly occur in crashes can help victims recognize symptoms, seek prompt treatment, and preserve documentation for legal purposes.
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor scrapes to more serious trauma. Many injuries fall into two categories: impact injuries, which happen when a body part strikes a part of the vehicle, and penetrating injuries, such as cuts from broken glass or objects inside the car. These injuries often form the basis of personal injury claims, especially when they lead to medical bills, lost income, or long-term care.
Here are some of the commonly reported bodily injuries after a crash:
- Soft Tissue Damage โ Sprains, strains, or whiplash affecting muscles, ligaments, or tendons.
- Scrapes & Cuts โ Minor wounds or deeper lacerations caused by sharp objects.
- Head Injuries โ Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or other forms of head trauma.
- Chest Injuries โ Chest wounds, bruises, fractures, and internal injuries.
- Arm & Leg Injuries โ Fractures, joint damage, or injuries that may result in partial or full loss of use.
This is not a complete list. Many other types of injuries can occur depending on the nature of the crash. If youโve been in a collision, itโs important to keep copies of all medical records and accident-related documents. Avoid signing anything from an insurance company before understanding your legal options.
Injured In A Car Accident? Speak With A California Car Accident Lawyer
In California, thousands of people are injured or killed in car accidents every year. If you were hurt in a crash and are unsure of your next steps, you can speak with a lawyer about your options. At Arash Law, our personal injury team is committed to helping injured Californians understand their rights. We offer free initial consultations and only charge attorneyโs fees if we recover compensation on your behalf. Case-related costs may still apply regardless of the outcome. To learn more, call us at (888) 488-1391 or reach out to us online.
