5 Car Accident Facts That May Shock You
We are all aware and understand that a car accident could occur anytime for any reason. However, we also tend to believe that “it can’t happen to me.” This is a natural way for the human mind to accept risk and give us confidence. Unfortunately, the truth is we cannot control the actions of other drivers, and the only thing left for us is to pay more attention. Here are 5 car accident facts that may shock you!
1. Car Accidents Are the #1 Cause of Death for Teens
Vehicle crashes kill more Americans between 16 and 19 than any other cause (according to CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). While the lack of experience is surely a factor, teens tend to mix alcohol (or drugs) and texting while driving. We advise all parents to teach their driving kids the dangers of drunk and distracted driving.
2. More Than 120 People Die in a Car Crash Every Day
We all see accident reports on the local news, but it’s easy to forget that traffic deaths are a constant reality. Car accidents kill more people than cancer and heart diseases together. As one of the biggest and most populated states, Texas and California take the lead in the number of deaths per state.
3. Missing JUST 2 Hours of Sleep Doubles the Risk of a Car Crash
Lack of sleep is no joke and a study funded by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that missing just a few hours doubles the chance of a car crash. The same study shows that less than 4 hours of sleep per night increases the chances of crashing 11.5 times.
4. Drunk Drivers Kill One American Every 50 Minutes
Drunk driving accidents kill 29 people each day, and while there is a much greater public awareness about the dangers of drunk driving than there was a few decades ago, we’ve still got a long way to go.
5. Car Crashes Cost Nearly $1 Trillion Each Year
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a study’s results in 2014 that showed that each year, car accidents are causing $871 billion in economics in the US. This includes the following costs:
- Loss of life
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Costs to government agencies
- And more…
Find an Auto Accident Injury Attorney Today
Car accidents are not just statistics. Car crashes are recurring events and we should all be more responsible to avoid these. The fatal ones are devastating enough, but some emotionally, physically, and financially suffer. If you find yourself in a car crash, always contact a professional attorney who can help you with a successful injury claim.
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