Car accidents in the USA are a very serious matter and many Americans have been injured or died. Many people know that there is an increase in car accidents across the board, but most don’t know where to start when it comes to stopping them. Take a look at this blog article for some ideas on how to reduce your own risk of being involved in an accident!
What causes car accident?
There are many causes of car accidents in the United States, but some of the most common are driver error, weather conditions, and distracted driving.
3 main causes of car accidents: driver error, weather conditions, and distracted driving.
Driver Error is the biggest cause of car accidents in the United States, accounting for almost three-quarters (73%) of all crashes. This includes failing to yield to other drivers or not using proper lane usage, which can lead to collisions.
Weather conditions can also play a role in car accidents. Heavy rain or snow can increase the chances of a crash, as can inclement weather conditions like high winds or fog. Drivers who are unfamiliar with these conditions can also be at risk for accidents.
Distracted driving is also a major cause of car accidents in the United States. Cell phone use while driving is now considered a primary contributing factor in crashes, and drivers who are using their phones are four times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who aren’t using their phones. Other causes of distraction include eating or drinking, adjusting radio stations, and taking care of children or pets in the car.
How to prevent a car accident?
If you’re like most drivers, you probably take for granted the many safety features your car provides. However, even the most reliable cars can be involved in accidents. In fact, car accidents are the number one cause of death for Americans aged 16 and older. Here are some facts about car accidents in the United States:
-Car accidents kill more people than any other type of accident. In 2012, car accidents killed 31,500 people in the United States. That’s more than deaths from AIDS, homicide, suicides, and accidental poisoning combined!
-Bad weather is not a factor in car accidents. In fact, cold weather is actually associated with an increase in crashes because it makes motorists less alert and slows down their reaction time.
-Distracted driving is a major factor in car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting while driving results in about 100 fatalities each year and driving while impaired by alcohol results in about 500 deaths each year.
-The risk of being involved in a fatal car accident goes up as you get older. In 2012, there were almost twice as many fatal car accidents involving drivers age 65 or older as
The effect of car accidents on the economy
The economic cost of car accidents in the United States is staggering. In 2009, there were an estimated 32,000 car accidents that resulted in personal injuries and $215 billion in economic losses.
The costs of car accidents can be divided into three categories: medical expenses, property damage, and lost productivity. Medical expenses account for the largest share of the economic cost of car accidents, followed by property damage and lost productivity.
Medical expenses include both out-of-pocket costs (such as doctor’s fees and hospital bills) and insurance pay-outs. Out-of-pocket costs are typically higher for people who are injured in a car accident than for those who are not injured. This is because people who are injured often have to spend money on things like medications and physical therapy that they may not be able to afford on their own. Insurance companies also tend to pay out more money for car accidents than they do for other types of injuries. This is because car accidents are typically considered to be more serious than other types of injuries.
Property damage includes damage to cars, homes, and businesses. Lost productivity refers to the time that people must spend away from work due to their injury.