2016 Car Accident Stats: A Retrospective Look

According to the CDC, the United States has the highest rate of motor vehicle crash deaths per 100,000 people at 10.3. Every year, the U.S. witnesses roughly 30,000 deaths and two million injuries from car accidents. This statistic is worrying on its own, but unfortunately the data collected from the CDC, NHTSA, and other oversight agencies also indicates that road deaths increased 7.7% between 2014 and 2015.

• Distracted driving is cited as one of the biggest causes of fatal car accidents. Distraction plays a role in roughly 420,000 crash-related injuries each year.
• One out of every four accidents in the U.S. is caused by texting while driving.
• Texting is statistically more dangerous than drunk driving.
• On average, 21% of all teenagers involved in fatal accidents were using cell phones at the time of the crash.
• On average, drunk driving claims 28 American lives per day and causes an injury every 90 seconds.
• Drunk driving costs the United States roughly $199 billion every year.
• Alcohol affects everyone differently, so even one drink can significantly impair a person, even if his or her blood-alcohol concentration level remains below the .08% legal limit.

Although motor vehicle injuries are somewhat predictable and preventable, the high death rate in the United States indicates that American drivers (for whatever reasons) still cling to obviously dangerous habits. It is crucial for drivers of all ages and ability levels to understand the dangers of drunk and distracted driving and to do everything possible to mitigate the chances of a crash by driving safely and defensively.

Call our Washington D.C. car accident attorneys today to determine whether you can hold another driver (or that driver’s insurance company) accountable for your injuries.