Auto Accident Statistics

Automobile accidents are a realistic risk faced by anyone who either operates or rides as a passenger in a motor vehicle. Although the manufacturers of automobiles have taken increasingly proactive measures to improve vehicle safety, and federal and state governments have imposed stricter traffic laws in recent years, between 6 and 7 million accidents occur each year in the United States. In 2005 alone, approximately 40 percent of automotive accidents resulted in injury, while 43,443 deaths occurred. Of these deaths, 64 percent were suffered by drivers, 28 percent by passengers, and 7 percent by motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

Tragically, the most common cause of death among people between the ages of two and 34 is automobile accidents. Approximately two-million people each year are seriously injured in a car, truck, van, or motorcycle accident. Among the most common causes of auto accidents are vehicle rollovers, drunk driving, and excessive speeding.

There is good news, however. In 2008, there was a marked decrease in the number of auto accidents and auto-accident-related deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 2,350,000 people were injured in car crashes in 2008, the lowest number in 20 years. Likewise, approximately 37,000 deaths occurred. While this still represents a tragic and unacceptable loss of human life, it represents a nearly 10 percent decrease from 2007.

The majority of drivers on the road are conscientious; they follow traffic laws and are mindful of and courteous to their fellow drivers. However, even the best drivers are vulnerable to the negligence of poor, inattentive drivers. If you have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have lost a loved one due to another driver’s wrongful actions, you would be wise to contact a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your legal rights and options.