Car Accident Statistics in 2024: Key Insights for Safer Driving
If you’ve recently been injured in a motor vehicle accident, then chances are that you’re considering a lot of different issues and possibilities related to the car crash you were just involved in.
You may be contemplating whether you have an actionable legal claim, and whether your injuries are substantial enough to justify a lawsuit. You may also be contemplating car accident statistics in 2024 (and other years, too) in the hopes of understanding the rarity of your circumstances, and what sort of factors like distracted driving may have contributed to the accident.
Recovering from a car accident, and exploring your legal rights, can be extremely confusing and frustrating for the first-time plaintiff. Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free legal consultation with a personal injury lawyer in our network. They’ll be able to provide a case evaluation to help you get started.
Of course, if you’d like to learn more about the basics of car accident litigation, and car accident statistics in 2024 (thus far), then keep reading!
Car accident statistics and traffic fatalities in 2024 at a glance
Though statistics for 2024 are still being compiled and organized, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released some preliminary data that gives us some insight into the dangers we’re likely to encounter on American roadways.
The NHTSA estimated that “8,650 people died in traffic crashes in the first three months of the year — this represents a decrease of about 3.2% as compared to 8,935 estimated fatalities during the same period in 2023.” The leading causes of fatal accidents, such as drunk driving, speeding, and the role of passenger vehicles, are reflected in this preliminary data. Analysts at the NHTSA believe that this was mostly due to a significant decrease in miles traveled, though there was also notable improvement in the percentage likelihood of fatal crashes per mile traveled.
What type of vehicle leads to the most severe accidents, and why? The role of distracted driving.
Motor vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists are particularly severe. In fact, when a motorcycle accident occurs, the motorcyclist has an 80% chance of injury or death, as compared to a passenger vehicle accident, where the driver/occupant has just a 20% chance of injury or death.
Why?
Motorcycles do not feature sufficient barrier material to protect the rider in the event of a collision with a larger vehicle. The force of impact will be directly applied to the rider, which can cause severe injury or even death. In a car, for example, the occupants are protected by the material around them, which can absorb some of the force of impact.
Smart helmet use can help limit these risks. According to the CDC, “motorcycle helmets are 37 percent (for riders) and 41 percent (for passengers) effective in preventing deaths. Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.”
Where and when do most accidents occur?
Where?
Most car accidents occur close to home — according to the data, the majority of car accidents occur within just 15 miles of the occupant’s home. Traffic deaths are particularly high at intersections, contributing significantly to the overall fatality rates.
In fact, accidents at intersections are the most common of any “type” of car accident (with rear-end collisions ranking the highest in this subgroup). According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), nearly one-quarter of traffic fatalities and one-half of traffic injuries occur at intersections. This data comports with the regulatory reality. That’s because safely guiding vehicles through intersections is a task controlled by multiple traffic rules as well as complicated technology that can break down or be poorly designed (i.e., traffic lights, walking signals, etc.).
When?
Though accidents can occur at any time, there are some times of year (and times of day) that contribute to the occurrence of serious accidents. Motor vehicle deaths tend to peak during specific times of the year and day, particularly on weekends and holidays. On a month-to-month basis, for example, most accidents occur in the summer months (July, August) and in October, due in part to more traffic on the roadways, as well as holidays, such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Intoxication during the holidays is a significant contributor. The intoxication issue is also what contributes to Saturday being the most dangerous driving day during the week.
Digging deeper, on a day-to-day basis, most accidents occur between 8 PM and Midnight on weekends, and between 4 PM and 8 PM on weekdays. This seems sensible on the surface, as the threat of drinking and driving is there at nighttime on weekends, while the high volume and speed of traffic during rush hour is likely to increase risks on weekdays. Total traffic fatalities are influenced by these timing factors, with statistical reports showing higher fatality rates during these peak periods.
If I’ve been in a car accident, how do I know whether I have an actionable legal claim?
In a car accident dispute (and any other personal injury dispute), you’ll have an actionable legal claim if you can establish the following unsafe driving behaviors:
- The defendant engaged in negligent, reckless, or intentional misconduct; and
- You were injured and sustained damages as a result of said conduct.
Even if you’re not entirely “sure” that you have an airtight argument, satisfying these elements is enough to give you an actionable claim on which to anchor your lawsuit. Single-vehicle crashes can also result in legal claims.
Notably, you must also bring your legal claim before the applicable statute of limitations period has run out. The statute of limitations is a deadline that is imposed on your claims. In some states, for example, your car accident injury claim may be subject to a two-year statute of limitations period (starting from the date of injury), while in others it may be three or four years.
If you wait too long, courts will automatically dismiss your claims due to you having abandoned or relinquished them under the law, thus preventing you from securing compensation. That being said, there are exceptions to the rule that could allow you to “extend” your limitations period (i.e., the delayed discovery of an injury could give you more time), so be sure to discuss these possibilities with your car accident lawyer.
What sort of damages am I entitled to in the event of a car accident?
In a car accident dispute, damages (i.e., what you can be compensated for under the law) must account for all the losses that you sustained as a result of the defendant’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. Multiple vehicle crashes can result in significant damages. Claimable losses include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of property
- Medical expenses (i.e., medical bills for whatever comprehensive medical treatment was necessary to recover from your various injuries)
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- And more
Speeding drivers can contribute to the severity of accidents and the resulting damages. Damages can vary substantially from case-to-case, as the circumstances are different for every plaintiff — and as such, the losses they sustain due to injury will be different, too.
Consider, for example, a scenario in which you are unemployed at the time of the accident. In this scenario, you would not have much, if any, lost wages to account for when it comes to building up your damages claim. By contrast, if you are gainfully employed at the time of the accident, then any time off from work can be accounted for as “lost wages,” and this amount may be significant.
Skilled car accident lawyers understand how important it is to build a comprehensive damages claim that accounts for all your losses. So make sure to discuss your losses in full with your attorney during your consultation.
How can a personal injury lawyer help me in my car accident dispute?
Personal injury attorneys (which includes those who primarily focus on motor vehicle accident disputes, such as car accident attorneys) handle a variety of tasks and responsibilities over the course of litigation, including cases involving fatal accidents. They aren’t just “courtroom advocates.”
As professional legal representatives, their tasks may include, but are not limited to:
- Identifying, gathering, and preserving relevant evidence
- Communicating with expert witnesses and eyewitnesses to develop supportive testimony
- Communicating with the defendant’s counsel (and various third parties, such as insurance companies and law enforcement) on your behalf
- Building a persuasive legal argument based on the evidence
- Negotiating a potential settlement compromise
- Effectively navigating court hearings and other processes (i.e., discovery) as they arise
- Pushing ahead to trial litigation, if settlement negotiations fall through
- Securing compensation after the payout has been awarded
- And more
A lawyer can help navigate the complexities of cases involving traffic deaths. Now that’s a lot! Without legal training, you may find yourself drowning in the complexity and nuance of court procedure — in addition to all the challenges of developing and executing a cohesive legal strategy on the basis of the evidence. So make sure to consult with an experienced car accident lawyer as early as possible.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a Free Legal Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to another’s fault, then you could be entitled to sue for compensation under the law. That being said, the legal process can feel overwhelming and confusing for first-time plaintiffs. That’s why it’s important to get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney for guidance and assistance.
Contact 1-800-THE-LAW2 for a free legal consultation with a qualified local car accident attorney in our network. During this initial consultation, you’ll have an opportunity to discuss the details of your case, your injuries and the impacts of the accident on your life, and the strategic options that are available to you. If you decide against moving forward with the dispute, that’s okay too — there’s no obligation to continue. So pick up the phone and get started today!
We look forward to assisting you.
