When you get into a collision, you may be wondering, “How common are car accidents?” Nearly every American driver will have at least one minor fender bender in his or her lifetime. Determining your personal likelihood of experiencing a car accident will involve several factors, including your age, your driving habits, and where you live.
One indication of how common car accidents are in your area can be your auto insurance rates. Insurance companies use local statistics about car crashes to create a formula for determining their customers’ car insurance premiums.
- How Age Factors into Collision Rates
- Understanding the Economic Impact of Car Accidents
- Other Factors that Increase the Odds of a Collision
- Car Accident Statistics in New York
- Using Facts in the Case to Show that You Deserve Compensation
How Age Factors into Collision Rates
Younger drivers are far more likely to be involved in both major and minor car crashes when compared to older drivers, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Statistics for drivers in the United States between 2014 and 2015 revealed the following:
- Ages 16-17: 1,432 collisions per 100 million miles driven.
- Ages 18-19: 730 collisions per 100 million miles driven.
- Ages 20-29: 549 collisions per 100 million miles driven.
- Ages 80-plus: 432 collisions per 100 million miles driven.
Collisions for all other age groups amounted to less than 330 per 100 million miles driven.
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Understanding the Economic Impact of Car Accidents
Car accidents not only pose a significant risk to life and health but also have considerable economic consequences. The costs associated with medical care, vehicle repairs, lost wages, and insurance rate hikes can be substantial. Additionally, accidents can lead to increased premiums for all drivers in a high-risk area. Economic impacts extend to societal costs, including emergency services and long-term care for severe injuries. Awareness of these financial implications emphasizes the importance of safe driving practices and comprehensive insurance coverage.
Other Factors that Increase the Odds of a Collision
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the chances of an American dying in a car accident is approximately 1 in 106. You have a far greater chance of dying from a variety of ailments and accidents than a car accident.
However, certain factors may increase your likelihood of a collision. While you cannot control how other drivers operate their vehicles, practicing good driving habits may lower your chances of getting into an accident even more. Common behaviors like texting while driving, speeding, and neglecting important vehicle maintenance can all lead to accidents.
In addition, where you live can add to your risk factors. Some areas of the country are known for having more reckless drivers, heavy traffic congestion, and poor road maintenance. All of these elements can further contribute to the local rate of collisions.
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Car Accident Statistics in New York
When it comes to answering the question, “How common are car accidents in New York?” you can begin by looking at the number of accidents reported. According to the most recent statistics from the New York Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the police received 254,829 reports of vehicle collisions, resulting in 1,026 fatalities and 148,620 people suffering an injury.
To determine the possibility that you could be involved in a crash while driving in the State of New York, you have to consider the total number of miles driven in the state, as well as the total number of licensed drivers.
State Collision Rates
New York DMV statistics show that the odds of any single person getting into a car accident that results in injuries or fatalities are relatively small. The rates for such accidents in the most recent available statistics appeared as follows:
- 124.16 injuries for every 100 million miles driven
- 1,384.43 licensed drivers out of every 100,000 suffered an injury in a collision
- 0.79 fatalities per 100 million miles driven
- 8.85 licensed drivers out of every 100,000 suffered a fatality in a collision
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Using Facts in the Case to Show that You Deserve Compensation
Nearly all drivers in the United States will experience a car accident at some point in their lives. Still, this does not mean that all drivers have an equal chance of causing an accident and being liable for the injuries someone else suffers in the crash.
If you experienced a car accident in which you suffered an injury, you may also be considering whether or not to hire a personal injury lawyer. When you hire an attorney to help with your car accident case, he or she will study the facts in the case and work to show that the other driver behaved in a reckless or negligent manner, leading to the crash.
The team at Friedman & Simon, L.L.P., can begin working on your personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party as soon as you choose to hire us. We will work hard on your behalf to help you receive the best possible settlement for your pain, suffering, and medical bills. Contact us today at (516) 932-0400 for a free consultation.
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