How Many Car Accidents Does the Average Person Have?

Hundreds, if not thousands, of car accidents happen every day. We have gathered car accident statistics from across the United States. There are dozens of factors that come into play when determining how frequently an individual will get into an accident. We have outlined some of these factors below.

How Many Car Accidents Per Year Happen in the U.S.?

First, we consider exactly how many vehicle accidents happen per year. According to statistics from the CDC , approximately 6 million auto accidents of varying severity happen each year.

The vast majority of roadway accidents that happen each year are nonfatal, and many accidents do not result in personal injury. However, many of these minor accidents do result in damage to one or more involved vehicles. For the purpose of these car accident statistics by state, we will only consider accidents in which a vehicle received damage or those in which an individual suffered an injury.

The Causes of Auto Accidents

According to one article published in early 2019, top causes for auto accidents include:

• Distracted driving, which is the number one cause of accidents in the U.S.
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Poor weather or road conditions
• Disregarding traffic control signals

Distracted driving, realistically speaking, has become an increasingly worrisome phenomenon within the last decade. In about half of all accidents, using a cellphone caused the driver to have a lapse in attention; this, in turn, caused an accident. Statistically, this issue primarily impacts drivers under the age of 30.

These car accident facts show that poor driving habits are often to blame for the majority of crashes. In some cases, these poor driving habits include driving during dangerous conditions such as snow or heavy rain.

Accident Statistics by Age

Lastly, before we consider how many car collisions the average person is involved in, we should consider the statistics by age. that teen drivers aged 16 to 17 are nearly two times more likely than drivers aged 18-19 to be in a crash. Likewise, and according to the CDC, older drivers have higher crash death rates than middle-aged drivers.

Ultimately, those who have yet to gain driving experience or whose fine motor skills have declined over time are statistically more likely to be involved in an accident. As we age, we develop a better sense of awareness while on the road. Additionally, with practice, drivers develop the skills necessary to avoid potential accidents in the moment. Naturally, there is a percentage of accidents that are truly accidents. These types of accidents occur due to unforeseen circumstances, such as when neither driver would have been able to avoid the accident.

How Many Accidents Will a Person Be Involved In?

Now that we understand car crash statistics, it may be possible to determine how many accidents the average person could be involved in throughout the course of his or her life. It is important to keep in mind that these numbers are averages and will vary from person to person due to many factors, such as:

• Age
• Driving experience
• Normal driving times
• Reliability of the vehicle you drive
• Normal driving behaviors

Each of these factors will impact how frequently, or infrequently, you may be involved in an accident. For instance, someone who consistently drives older, less-reliable cars may be in more accidents than someone who finances new vehicles on a consistent basis.

With all of this in mind, according to insurance companies that process claims for accidents, the average person is involved in approximately four accidents throughout the course of his or her life. The data suggests that these individuals experience an automobile accident once every 18 years, approximately.

Have You Been Injured in an Accident?

Accidents happen. There will sometimes be instances in which these situations are utterly unavoidable and instances in which no party is at fault. However, ensuring that you have the proper protection and are ready to fight for your rights when involved in an auto accident is vital. We can help injured people hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions.

Additionally, many individuals involved in automobile accidents are unaware that they are entitled to compensation. Being properly represented in the event of an accident could help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been involved in an auto accident and you need assistance, we encourage you to get help now from William Mattar law offices.