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Motor vehicle accidents are a common and unfortunate reality, with millions of individuals injured each year in the United States alone. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that around 6,528 Americans were injured in motor vehicle accidents every day. This statistic highlights the alarming frequency with which lives are changed, often permanently, due to the negligence of some motorists. While these accidents affect people of all ages, certain groups, including children and the elderly, are particularly vulnerable to serious injuries.
The severity of the injuries depends on several factors, such as how fast the vehicles were going, whether seat belts were used, and the type of crash. Additionally, reckless driver behaviors, such as distracted or impaired driving, significantly contribute to the frequency and severity of injuries.
Breaking Down The Motor Vehicle Accident Injury Rate: What The Data Reveals
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the U.S. Department of Transportation reported an estimated 5,930,496 road accidents in 2022. These collisions injured 2,382,771 individuals, giving us an estimated daily average of 6,528 injured people, or roughly five injuries per minute. Sadly, these statistics equal about 116 deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes per day.
While that’s certainly an alarming number, it represented a decrease of 4.6% from 2021 estimates. The injury rate of 80 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in 2021 also dropped to 75 in 2022, a decrease of 6.3%. Nevertheless, these numbers remind us of the ongoing need for enhanced road safety measures.
A separate report from the National Safety Council stated that there were 5.2 million medically consulted injuries due to motor vehicle accidents in 2022. These injuries were significant enough to require evaluation and care by medical professionals. The total cost of motor vehicle injuries for that year alone was $481.2 billion, covering medical bills, lost wages, employer costs, and property damage.
If you’ve ever been involved in a car accident, you probably know how quickly the expenses add up, including medical bills and vehicle repairs. Expenses such as these can add to the stress of an already challenging situation. Injured victims have the right to seek compensation for these losses. However, filing a claim and getting compensation isn’t always straightforward. It can vary significantly depending on your location, but dealing with insurance companies and legal procedures can be exhausting no matter where you live.
Skilled car accident lawyers can guide you through every step of the claims process, from collecting key evidence to negotiating with the insurance company. They work to protect your rights and help prevent exploitation. They also assist in pursuing compensation that fully accounts for all your damages.
Motor Vehicle Injury Rate By Group
Every year, thousands of people are injured in motor vehicle accidents that are often preventable. However, some individuals are more vulnerable than others. Factors like age, gender, and overall health can significantly affect one’s likelihood of being involved in a crash or sustaining serious injuries.
Elderly
Senior drivers are particularly at risk for car accidents and moderate to catastrophic injuries. Elderly driving accidents are a notable concern across the United States. In 2022, 268,622 individuals aged 65 and over were injured in motor vehicle accidents, making up 11% of all injured people that year. This figure translates to approximately 736 daily injuries and, unfortunately, represents a one-percent increase from 2021. There were 57.8 million people 65 and older in 2022, making up 17% of the U.S. population. The traffic fatality rate for the older population was 13.79 per 100,000 individuals.
Do you have an elderly family member who is still driving? Senior drivers are often among the safest on the road because of their extensive driving experience. However, it’s crucial to remember that aging can bring unique challenges impacting their driving abilities. As people age, their memory, reasoning skills, vision, coordination, and other physical capabilities often decline. Additionally, seniors take medications that might have side effects, such as drowsiness or dizziness, which could impair their driving.
More importantly, age-related factors make senior drivers more at risk of sustaining severe injuries compared to younger age groups. Whether you’re a concerned family member or an elderly driver, you must remain proactive when addressing senior drivers’ challenges. This driving guide for seniors can help keep older adults and other road users safe.
Children
Witnessing your child involved in a car accident is one of the most distressing and traumatic experiences a parent can endure. Similar to the elderly, children are more susceptible to severe injuries than adults because their bodies are smaller and not fully developed. However, car accidents involving children continue to happen, often due to avoidable mistakes by adults. Additionally, improper or absent restraint leaves children vulnerable to the impact of a collision.
According to a 2022 report by the NHTSA, approximately 156,502 children were injured in motor vehicle collisions. This means that roughly 429 children are injured nationwide daily. On average, traffic crashes claimed the lives of 3 children daily, resulting in a total of 1,129 child fatalities in 2022. Of these, 756 children accounted for 3% of all passenger vehicle occupant fatalities that year. Furthermore, the report revealed that 39%, or 266, of the children killed in passenger vehicle crashes were not restrained.
The National Survey of the Use of Booster Seats (NSUBS) reported that in 2023, 88.2% of children aged 13 and under were restrained using some form of safety device. However, research shows that many children aged 4 to 7 are not using the appropriate restraint system for their size and weight.
As a parent, you’re constantly looking for ways to keep your kids safe, not just from illnesses or bullying but also from the dangers of the road. One of the most important steps you can take to ensure their safety is using the correct car seat or booster seat for their age, height, and weight. This guide provides valuable information on car seat safety for kids, helping you make informed decisions to protect your child while traveling.
Teen Drivers
You may be a parent whose kid has recently obtained their license for the first time and just started driving. Most young drivers, aged 15 to 20, are also enrolled in graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs. As they develop their driving skills, they can make mistakes or be taken advantage of by reckless drivers and get involved in accidents.
Young drivers aged 15 to 20 face significant risks on the road. According to NHTSA data, in 2021, an estimated 203,276 young drivers were injured in motor vehicle crashes. While young drivers make up only about 5% of all licensed drivers, they are disproportionately represented in traffic crashes. In 2022, there were 339 motorcycle riders 15 to 20 years old killed in traffic crashes, and an additional estimated 6,571 in that age group were injured, highlighting the importance of teen driver safety education. If you’re a parent who wants to get involved in educating your kids on driving safely on the road, this teen safety driving guide can help you out.
Pedestrians
Due to their lack of protection, pedestrians are considered the most vulnerable road users. According to California law, a pedestrian is anyone walking or using a self-propelled wheelchair, a motorized tricycle, or a quadricycle. Because they have no protection against a vehicle, pedestrians often suffer moderate to severe injuries in collisions.
Pedestrian safety remains a significant concern on American roads. According to NHTSA, in 2023, 7,314 pedestrians were killed, and 68,244 pedestrians were injured nationwide. These numbers highlight the vulnerability of pedestrians and the need for increased safety measures.
Gender
Does sex influence the likelihood of being involved in car accidents or sustaining injuries? Interestingly, it does to an extent. According to studies, women are 73% more likely to sustain injuries and 17% more likely to be killed in car accidents. Furthermore, research conducted on 70,000 trapped vehicle occupants in accidents concluded that women were more often trapped than men.
Meanwhile, the study also revealed that the most common injuries sustained by trapped male patients were to the head, face, thorax, and limbs. Pelvic and spinal cord injuries were more common in female patients.
Risk Factors Affecting Motor Vehicle Accident Injury
Several factors can impact how serious your car accident is and determine whether you’re at a higher risk of getting injured. Understanding some of these factors can affect your decisions and the steps you take after an accident, such as getting the kind of medical care you may require.
Driving Speed
If you’re a driver, you most likely know how speed can increase the risk of an accident and injuries. Speeding-related accidents contribute to thousands of preventable injuries each year.
Another study suggested that speeds are directly linked to the likelihood of an accident and its severity. In particular, a 1% increase in mean speed raises the risk of serious injuries by 3% and the probability of a fatal car accident by 4%. Nevertheless, speed isn’t the only factor. You should also understand that even a low-speed collision can result in severe, incapacitating injuries or, worse, fatalities.
Type Of Crash
According to the National Safety Council, collisions between motor vehicles are the most common type of crash resulting in injuries. These accidents represent 79% of injuries, 74% of injury crashes, and 72% of all traffic incidents.
Collisions involving a vehicle and a fixed object represent another significant category of traffic crashes. Single-vehicle crashes involving collisions with fixed objects account for a greater proportion of fatalities than less serious crashes, particularly when vehicles leave the roadway and strike trees, poles, or barriers. Pedestrian accidents and non-collision incidents, such as rollovers, follow closely. Notably, accidents involving vehicles colliding at an angle were among the most common crashes resulting in injuries.
The Use Of Seat Belts And Child Restraints
Time and time again, wearing a seat belt has been proven to significantly lower your chance of suffering severe injuries in the event of an accident. In addition to keeping your body more stable in an accident, seat belts help keep your body from hitting other surfaces. There’s a reason every motorist is constantly reminded to wear one when hitting the road.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), using a seat belt can lower the risk of serious injury and mortality by up to 50%. Meanwhile, child safety seats in passenger cars have been demonstrated to prevent fatal injuries by 71% for infants under one year old and 54% for toddlers aged one to four.
Unsafe Vehicles
A faulty or unsafe car can still injure you in a traffic accident, even if you practice defensive driving and follow all traffic rules. Technological advancements in the automobile industry have allowed for safer cars, essential for preventing collisions and lowering the risk of severe injuries. The question is: Is your vehicle up-to-date?
Automobile defect-related accidents could be prevented if manufacturers effectively implement essential measures in producing vehicles. These include adhering to front and side impact regulations and equipping cars with electronic stability control to avoid oversteering. Without these critical safety measures, the risk of injury during an accident increases significantly.
The Location Of Impact
The severity and type of injury you are more likely to get can also vary depending on whether your car is hit from the front, rear, or side. Furthermore, where you sit also impacts the injuries you receive. If you’re sitting at the front, airbags can help reduce the crash’s impact on your head, neck, and chest and stabilize other body parts.
What To Do After A Motor Vehicle Accident
Motor vehicle accidents happen so suddenly that those involved are often confused. Many things could go wrong. You or a loved one may be injured, the other motorist may flee the scene, or they may try to turn the tables and blame you for what happened. If this happens, here are some steps to consider to help protect yourself and your rights after a car crash:
- If possible, take yourself and any passengers off the road to a safe location, but do not leave the scene.
- Call 911 for emergency medical care. If you tell the dispatcher you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, they will also send the police. The authorities’ official report can serve as evidence in establishing fault and supporting your compensation claim.
- Gather as much evidence as possible. Take pictures and videos of the vehicles involved, tire marks, road conditions, signage, injuries, and other relevant details. Ask for witnesses’ accounts, contact information, and the other driver’s contact and insurance details.
- See your doctor immediately, even if you feel fine. Some serious injuries don’t show immediate symptoms. Medical records are also essential to your claim.
- Report the accident to your insurer within 24 hours if possible. Give them the relevant information and evidence, but do not make a recorded statement or sign documents without legal counsel.
- Contact a personal injury lawyer to guide you through the claims process. They can gather evidence, help you make informed decisions, and negotiate with insurers. Remember that insurers often try to keep payouts as low as possible to protect their financial interests, which may result in you receiving less compensation than you may be entitled to. A skilled auto accident attorney will advocate for your rights and pursue fair compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other losses.
With the help of your lawyer, file a claim for damages with the insurer of the party responsible for the accident. Include medical reports, evidence, and records of your damages, such as medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. They can help you claim compensation and represent you in court if negotiations fail. Generally, you only have two years after the accident or discovery of the injury to file a claim. Your injury lawyer will guide you so you don’t miss the deadline and forfeit your chances of seeking financial recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are You More Likely To Be Injured In A Motor Vehicle Accident In An Urban Or Rural Area?
The road networks in urban and rural areas differ significantly in terms of utilization, traffic patterns, restrictions, and density. As a result, it is reasonable to assume that outcomes for car accidents in urban and rural areas will differ. You might think accidents would inevitably occur more frequently in metropolitan settings because of the increased traffic. While that’s true, the truth is not that straightforward.
In 2022, of the 42,514 motor vehicle traffic fatalities, 59% (25,023) happened in urban areas, while 41% (17,283) happened in rural regions. Compared to the prior year, both figures were lower. What’s noteworthy, though, is that while only 32% of the total VMT in 2022 were in rural areas, and with only 20% of the U.S. population, 41% of all traffic deaths occurred there. The fatality rate per 100 million VMT was 1.5 times higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
Car accidents in both urban and rural areas can result in severe injuries that last a lifetime. Nonetheless, the data above indicates that accidents in rural areas have worse results. Perhaps due to longer emergency response times, crashes in rural areas are more likely to result in death.
Do Most People Survive Motor Vehicle Accidents?
The NHTSA reports that in 2022, the injury rate per 100 million VMT was 75. Compared to the fatality rate of 1.33, this means you will more likely get injured than be killed in a motor vehicle collision. Given current car safety features like seat belts and airbags, the survival rate for auto accidents is high, so there shouldn’t be much cause to be afraid to drive.
Should I Hire A Lawyer After Getting Injured In A Motor Vehicle Accident?
Hiring a lawyer after a motor vehicle accident is not required, but having legal representation can be helpful. There are numerous advantages to having legal representation after a car accident. For instance, one of the most challenging aspects of managing an injury claim is identifying, assessing, and calculating accident-related damages. You won’t have to worry about this when you work with car accident attorneys. They are skilled in figuring out the recoverable damages in your case and building a compelling claim. Some of the damages you can claim include:
- Current and future medical bills and car repairs or replacements.
- Loss of income from time missed at work and diminished earning capacity due to disability.
- Non-economic damages, including pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death damages, like burial and funeral expenses, may arise if a loved one dies.
A car accident attorney can handle the legal matters of your case so you can concentrate on your medical care and recovery. Whether through a lawsuit or an insurance claim, your injury lawyer will guide you through the process and help you seek compensation for your injuries and related losses.
Injured? Call The Experienced Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys At Arash Law
Are you or someone you love injured in a motor vehicle accident? The car accident attorneys at Arash Law have your back. We have the experience and resources to represent you and help you pursue fair compensation from the at-fault party.
Our injury attorneys will manage the legal aspects of your case and negotiate with the insurance company, protecting your rights and advocating for your best interests. Like many car accident lawyers in California, we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to pay any attorney’s fees upfront unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for case costs and expenses regardless of the outcome.
Schedule a free, no-obligation initial consultation with us now. Call (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here. We serve clients across California, including in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, San Jose, Sherman Oaks, Sacramento, Irvine, Fresno, Beverly Hills, and Riverside.
