Car accidents happen in every country, including the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that a car accident occurs in the United States once every 13 minutes. In 2020, 5,250,837 collisions occurred in the United States, and most of these crashes were due to drunk driving and/or speeding. Even though new laws and technology are trying to make cars safer, car accidents remain the nation’s leading cause of fatalities. This article highlights the most recent accident statistics, the major contributing factors, the locations and times where accidents are most likely to happen, and the most likely victims.
Accidents Involving an Intoxicated Person
The statistics on driving under the influence (DUI) are horrifying. About 13,695 fatalities (35 percent of all fatal accidents) were due to drunk driving. 23 percent of the accidents happened during the day, while 67 percent of DUI accidents happened at night.
“With such troubling DUI statistics, it is unsurprising that 29 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents had alcohol in their system during the deadly accident,” says Attorney Russell J. Berkowitz of Berkowitz Hanna Malpractice & Injury Lawyers.
Based on the location of prevalence in the United States, Montana has the highest rate of fatal DUI accidents. Surprisingly, drunk driving is responsible for 51 percent of the accidents in the state.
Accidents Involving Speeding
Analysts opine that speeding increases the possibility of collisions as well as the likelihood of fatal injuries. Speeding drivers are responsible for 29 percent of all fatal car accidents and 11,258 deaths in automobile accidents.
Similar to drunk driving, some states have a big speeding problem. With a total of 46 percent of deadly accidents, South Carolina is recognized as the highest-risk state for speed-related accidents.
Car Accidents Involving People Not Wearing Seatbelts
The purpose of seat belts in a car is to save lives, so the risk of death increases when drivers and passengers do not wear them. Studies have revealed that about 46 percent of drivers and passengers involved in fatal collisions do not wear seatbelts.
When Most Car Accidents Happen
According to statistics on auto accidents, the time of day and season influence the likelihood of a collision. About 35 percent of fatal road accidents happen between 6:00 pm and midnight.
Also, collisions are more likely to occur during the holiday season. According to annual data on auto accidents, there were about 134 and 128 fatal crashes on July 4th and September 3rd, respectively.
Car Accidents Statistics by Age
Anybody, irrespective of age, can be involved in motor accidents. That is a known fact. However, due to inexperience and increased risk-taking, drivers and passengers below 20 are more likely to get involved in an accident.
The 2020 car accident statistics show that 437,677 people in this age bracket were injured in car accidents, while 4,414 lost their lives. That accounts for 11 percent of all fatalities from road accidents. Despite the dangers posed by newly licensed drivers, those between the ages of 25 to 34 are most likely to die or suffer severe injuries in car accidents.
The population of Teenagers who Drink and Drive
DUI statistics show that many teen drivers drink before driving. About 10 percent of all the teenagers in high school confessed that they drink and drive, while 17 percent admitted they have at one point or the other been in a car with a drunk driver.
Car Accident Statistics by Gender
Although both men and women can be killed or injured in a crash, statistics on car accidents show that the risks are not equal for both sexes. Men are more likely to be killed or hurt in a road accident.
Statistics show that about 28,033 males lost their lives in collisions in 2020, compared to less than 11,000 females recorded. There were also approximately 1,160,000 injured men as opposed to 1,122,884 wounded women.
Final Notes
Car accidents remain a major issue in the United States, with factors like drunk driving, speeding, and not wearing seatbelts contributing to a significant number of fatalities and injuries. While there are laws and technologies aimed at improving safety, the statistics show that more efforts are needed to prevent these tragedies. It’s important for all drivers to stay aware of the risks and drive responsibly to help reduce these accidents and save lives.
