Car Accident Statistics 2013

Summary:

• 6 million – the average number of car accidents every year.
• 3 million people are injured every year in car accidents in America.
• Around 2 million drivers experience permanent injuries every year from car accidents.
• 40,000 people lose their lives every year due to major accidents while driving.
• 40% of all deaths caused by car accidents involve alcohol.
• 30% of car accident fatalities are attributed to speeding.
• Reckless driving accounts for 33% of all deaths involving major car accidents.

Did You Know?

• Nearly 1 in 3  people surveys admitted to sending and or receiving text messages while driving.
• Distracted drivers are responsible for 1 in 5 injuries in auto accidents.
• Montana had the highest auto fatality rate in 2009 (2.0)
• Massachusetts had the lowest auto fatality rate in 2009 (0.6)
• 1996 was the least deadly year for motorcycle riders.
• 69% of people surveyed admitted to talking on the phone while driving.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident and experienced physical and emotional injuries, you are not alone. Drivers who haven’t experienced an accident while driving are surprised when they hear nationwide car accident statistics. A staggering number of people were injured or killed in numerous accidents all across the nation during 2011.

Automobile accidents are often associated with financial struggles because of the inability of the injured person to work and the difficulties paying for medical bills and property damage. However, drivers have plenty of rights they should exercise after a car accident, especially if the other driver is at fault. Hiring an attorney that is experienced in dealing with car accident cases is a way to alleviate the stress caused during the aftermath of an accident.

Average Number of Car Accidents Every Year: 6 million

It shouldn’t be a surprise that every year more cars are found on the roadways due to the increased numbers of people entering the workforce. With an ever-increasing amount of vehicles on the road, avoiding an accident becomes more difficult. An average of 6 million car accidents happens every year in the United States.

Out of that 6 million, there are several different categories of car accident statistics to take a look at that can include the age of drivers involved, location, deaths, injuries, reckless driving, distraction, and many other elements. One of the recent elements widely known to cause driving accidents is texting while driving. In fact, new legislation is being passed in a number of states that prohibits texting while driving.

Almost 1.3 Million Cars Deemed Potentially Hazardous

A recent recall specifically targets over 900,000 Toyotas, mostly Corollas, for airbag issues and almost 400,000 luxury Lexus IS model Toyotas for windshield wiper issues — specifically, windshield wipers that stick in heavy snow. The news comes on the heels of Toyota recently being ranked the top auto manufacturer in the world, even above its American counterparts. The news also comes as another in a line of Toyota defects and recalls.

Over the last few years, the automaker has had to recall vehicles for faulty brakes, faulty gas pedals, and unsafe floor mats. The company’s latest recall includes vehicles manufactured as far back as 2001, which is why it is crucial for owners of Toyotas manufactured after the year 2000 to contact their dealer and determine if their vehicle is one of those on the recall list.

According to the facts, operating a recalled vehicle without addressing the points above could potentially be extremely dangerous. In vehicles with airbag issues, the airbags appear to be deployed without cause due to a damaged computer chip. As anyone would be able to guess, having an airbag deploy without cause could injure the driver of the vehicle and/or cause the driver to lose control. In the case of the windshield wipers, heavy snow can cause the wipers to remain in the “down” position and quickly block the driver’s view of the road.

Responding to a Defect

Following a vehicle malfunction, drivers, if able, should activate their emergency lights and attempt to navigate safely to the side of the road before calling for roadside assistance. If safe navigation to the side of the road is not possible, the driver should immediately contact emergency responders so that they can facilitate the safe removal of the vehicle from the road.

Vehicle operators, following any kind of accident, are urged not to exit their vehicles, as passing motorists may not be aware of their presence. It is always better to wait for emergency or roadside assistance from within the car with a seat belt and other safety equipment (like child safety seats) still engaged for all passengers.

Dealing with a vehicle recall is something that should never be delayed. Attending to a serious defect in an automobile’s design or construction could potentially save the lives of the vehicle operator, passengers, and other travelers on the road. If you ever suspect that your vehicle may be subject to a recall, you can always talk to your local dealer for the model of your car. The dealer will have information on where the vehicle can be repaired for free.

Spread the Word

Inform people you care about today by spreading the word. Share this page or refer them to any of the resources listed below. This may not be a viral Sneezing Panda video, but information spreads quickly by those who care.

Educate your children, your husbands, your wives, your students, your friends and save a life.

Distracted Driving Resources

Distracted driving is so prevalent that the resources required to make this issue go away are simply too scarce. The best way we can help curtail the number of accidents due to distracted driving is through spreading awareness. This means we must educated ourselves and everyone we care about on distracted driving.

Learn about distracted driving and how to prevent it with these resources:

• Distraction.gov 
• Cell phone use laws (Governor’s Highway Safety Association)
• NHTS Reports on Distraction
• CDC Statistics on Distracted Driving
• Decide to Drive (catch culprits in the act of distracted driving, accounts and map)
• National Safety Council (information on distracted driving)
• Federal Motor Carrier Administration (distraction laws for transportation vehicles)
• FCC Page on Distracted Driving
• OSHA Distracted Driving Flyer

How to Protect Yourself Legally and Financially

Statistics show that 25% of all drivers can be involved in a car accident within a 5 year period. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the demands for legal representation are quite high. The best course of action for an individual to take in order to be better prepared in case they are involved in an accident is finding a reputable attorney ahead of time. If you’re waiting until you are involved in an accident to find an attorney, it will only add more stress.

These car accident statistics should be a constant reminder about the dangers that lie ahead on the road. Having adequate insurance coverage is no longer enough to protect people’s finances, property, and other elements that are affected by a major car accident. The smartest thing any driver can do is prepare ahead of time is to also find a reputable and dependable attorney in their area.

Sources:

• Motor Vehicles Accidents and Fatalities – Census.gov

Updated on: December 16, 2013.

What to Do After a Car Accident

If you drive, you probably have an idea of what to do after a car accident. You may have even been in an accident and dealt with your insurance company at some point. But, are you doing it right? Are you unwillingly making mistakes that can cost you dearly?

What are the right steps to take after a car accident? Let’s take a look.

Be Prepared

Before we discuss what to do after a car accident, we should say a few things about what you should do before you even hit the road. By being prepared, you can save yourself many headaches and a lot of money down the road.

1. Read these tips, top to bottom.
2. Keep a copy of our free auto accident checklist in your glove box, available in our auto accident handbook.
3. Keep an emergency kit in your car. Your emergency kit should include at a minimum:
   1. A cell phone,
   2. A disposable camera (or a smartphone camera on your phone),
   3. Pen and paper to take notes,
   4. Medical card/allergy card if you have special medical conditions or allergies which require specific handling,
   5. A flashlight,
   6. Cones, warning triangles, and emergency flares are added bonuses to your kit.
4. Raise your insurance policy limits to whatever you can afford. You should always purchase as much coverage as you can reasonably afford. The difference in coverage can mean a smooth recovery or enormous unpaid medical bills, all for a small monthly premium increase.
5. Get medical payments coverage (MedPay). Here’s why.

When There Are No Injuries

When nobody is injured, follow these steps:

1. Stay safe by moving your vehicles off to the side of the road, or if not possible remain in the vehicle buckled in until help arrives.
2. Turn on your hazard lights and set up cones, triangles, and flares if available (especially at night).
3. Call the police (even if it’s a minor accident). The report made by the responding police officer can help settle disputes with your insurance company.
4. Keep your cool, don’t say much. Do not apologize or get angry. Simply exchange information with the other driver as calmly as possible. Apologizing is the same as admitting fault while being angry won’t help the situation.
5. Exchange information – get the other person’s license information including license number, name, and address, contact information. Write down the make, model, and year of the vehicle, license plate number insurance policy number.
6. Get contact information from any witnesses to the accident.
7. Be honest with the police officer, and don’t exaggerate. Tell them exactly what happened.
8. Take pictures of the accident scene and damage to your vehicle as evidence in case there is a dispute with your insurance company.
9. Report the accident to your insurance company.
10. In California, report traffic accident to the DMV if there was property damage of more than $750, if anyone was injured (no matter how minor), or if anyone was killed:

When Someone is Injured

1. Make sure to get medical treatment. When anyone is injured in an accident, follow the same steps as when there are no injuries, except be sure to put extra emphasis on getting medical care first. It is important that you get treated in order to recover faster and better, and to get a detailed report of your injuries.
2. Speak to an attorney. When injuries are involved, it is in your best interest to speak to an attorney as soon as possible, before talking to the insurance company. If you are injured, claim payments can skyrocket, making it a priority of your insurance company to lower the payout when you need the money most.

Attorneys can help make sure you get the maximum compensation for your injuries, time off work and medical bills. You only get one chance at compensation, once you accept a lower amount without consulting an attorney there is no going back.

If the driver or passenger dies, you or your family members should always speak to an attorney. Claims involving fatalities are more complex and have a higher possibility of being lowered significantly without the help of an attorney.

Other Driver’s Insurance Company

The easiest way to deal with the other driver’s insurance company is not to deal with them. Avoid taking, giving any recorded statements or trying to settle anything with the other driver’s insurance company.  They are not looking out for your interests and there is nothing to be gained by talking to them. It’s that simple.

Your Insurance Company

If the damages are to the vehicle only, you can deal directly with your insurance company to make a claim.

However, if injures are involved, you should contact an attorney first. When you are injured, your insurance company is not necessarily your friend. They will seem fair and offer compensation, but often that amount will be reduced from what you really deserve. You never know when your injuries will last past initial medical treatment and what kind of other conditions may be exacerbated by the accident. Auto accident attorneys have the experience needed to get you the maximum compensation you require and deserve.

What You Should Never Do

1. Never flee the scene of an accident. Not only is it rude to not check to see if everyone is okay, it is also a crime to leave the scene without reporting the accident. No matter who is at fault, you should always stop and follow the steps outlined above.
2. Never make “gentlemen’s agreements” to handle the accident on your own with the other driver without calling 911. There needs to be third-party proof that the accident occurred. You never know when the other driver is lying, has no auto insurance or carries fake insurance and or identity. Do yourself a favor and look out for your own interests by calling 911. This will also go a long way in making sure your injuries are properly documented, no matter how seemingly small, which will help with your claim.
3. Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company or give any recorded statements.
4. Do not admit fault by apologizing to the other driver, or admitting fault verbally through a direct statement. Even when you may think you are at fault, you may not be.
5. Do not lose your cool. Staying calm will help you assess the situation better and make good decisions that won’t come back to haunt you.
6. Do not forget to exchange information and document the accident. Your memories are freshest immediately after an accident. Waiting or forgetting to document the damage and conditions which lead to the accident may hurt your claim.
7. Never avoid medical care, even if you don’t have medical insurance. Without proof of the accident causing your injuries, you may be hard-pressed to get money from your auto insurance company to cover your medical bills. Even if you’ve delayed getting treatment and have yet to settle with your insurance company, it is always best to contact an attorney to figure out what your options are.
8. Do not wait until it’s too late to talk to an attorney if you are injured. Maximum compensation is contingent on circumstances and time. If you wait too long, you diminish the chances of getting the money you deserve. If you are unsure whether you’ve waited too long, call an attorney anyway.