How Many Car Accidents Does The Average Person Get Into In A Lifetime?

How many car accidents does the average person get into in a lifetime? No one knows for sure the number of car accidents they might get into in a lifetime. Some people seem to be magnets for accidents, while others can go their whole lives without getting into one. There are a number of factors that contribute to how many car accidents someone gets into, such as driving habits, type of vehicle, and luck. This article will take a closer look at car accidents, why they happen, and how many accidents are recorded each year.

Whether you get into multiple car accidents or you do so rarely, it is best to be prepared. Having good insurance coverage is one way to ensure that you can recover compensation after a car accident. Another way is to speak to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after (or even before) the car crash.

In Hollywood, Florida, personal injury lawyer Jared Spingarn is an expert at handling cases involving car accidents. Jared knows what to do in the event of an accident and can assist you with an insurance claim or lawsuit if it comes to that. Get in touch with Jared to schedule a free consultation today.

How many auto accidents occur every day?

In the US, there are about 6 million car accidents every year. That’s an average of 15,000 to 16,000 accidents per day. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 6 million reported traffic accidents in the United States in 2019 and over 5 million in 2020. Of these, an estimated 2 million resulted in injuries and more than 3 million caused property damage.

Additional data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IISA) shows that there were more than 38,000 traffic fatalities in 2020 with an estimated 35,000 fatal crashes. On a daily rate, about 102 fatal car accidents happen with 108 traffic deaths. But according to the National Safety Council (NSC), an estimated only 3 out of 100 accidents are fatal, even if more than 14,000 car accidents occur every day or one auto accident every minute.

How many accidents will the average driver get into?

As mentioned, it’s impossible to know how many car accidents the average person will get into over their lifetime. But there is some data from the NHTSA that can be used as an estimate. The NHTSA reports that the average driver in the United States will be involved in three to four crashes in his or her lifetime. Insurance companies estimate that these crashes occur every 17 to 18 years.

Who is more likely to get into a car accident?

There are a number of risk factors that contribute to how likely someone is to get into a car accident, as outlined below. Although these factors affect the number of auto accidents that occur, it’s important to remember that car accidents can happen to anyone at any time.

Age

Young drivers, aged 16 to 24, are more likely to get into an accident than any other age group, as data from the NHTSA shows. In fact, they are three times as likely as drivers over the age of 25. In 2019 alone, over 900,000 accidents involved teen drivers and young adults.

On the other end of this age group are the elderly drivers. Studies show that while they are not as likely to be involved in an accident as young drivers, they are more likely to die in one. In 2020, around 23% of all fatal crashes involved a driver over the age of 65.

Additionally, some elderly drivers who have pre-existing medical conditions may become impaired motorists while operating a vehicle. While younger drivers can cause an auto accident due to their recklessness, older drivers can cause an accident because of their poor vision, hearing loss, or slowed reaction time.

Gender

The NHTSA reports that in 2019, male drivers were involved in more accidents than female drivers. But when fatal accidents were taken into account, the numbers were almost equal with 10,511 male fatalities and 8,927 female fatalities.

There are a number of factors that contribute to this difference in numbers. First, men are more likely to take risks when driving, such as speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol. Second, women are more likely to wear seatbelts than men, which can help to reduce the severity of injuries in an accident.

Driving Habits

Your driving habits play a big role in whether or not you’ll be involved in an accident. If you’re a speeding, reckless, or aggressive driver, you’re more likely to get into an accident than someone who drives safely and follows the rules of the road.

Additionally, if you drive often, you’re more likely to be involved in an accident than someone who doesn’t. The more time you spend on the road, the greater your chances are of being in an accident. This is especially true if you drive in high-traffic areas or during rush hour.

Other Risk Factors

There are other risk factors that can contribute to your likelihood of being in a car accident. If you live in a rural area, you’re more likely to be in an accident than someone who lives in an urban area because there are fewer drivers on the road and more opportunities for accidents to occur. But urban areas are also dangerous and drivers are more vulnerable to getting distracted while driving.

Weather conditions can also play a role in car accidents. Wet roads, for example, can increase your chances of skidding or sliding. And when visibility is low, such as during a fog, it can be more difficult to see other cars on the road and avoid an accident.

What are the common causes of car accidents?

While there are a number of factors that can contribute to car accidents, there are some that are more common than others. The most common causes of car accidents include the following:

Distracted Driving

One of the most common and dangerous causes of car accidents is distracted driving. This can refer to anything that takes your attention away from the road, such as talking on the phone, eating, or changing the radio station.

Speeding

Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents. When you’re driving above the posted speed limit, you’re more likely to lose control of your car, have a harder time stopping, and be involved in a serious accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is one of the most dangerous things you can do. Drunk driving impairs your judgment, reaction time, and motor skills, making it more likely that you’ll be involved in an accident. During weekends and Friday nights, there are also more impaired motorists on the road after nights out, which increases the chances of being in an accident.

Road Conditions

Bad road conditions can also contribute to car accidents. If the roads are icy, wet, or have potholes, it can be more difficult to drive safely and avoid an accident. Winding roads also cause accidents quite often, especially for inexperienced drivers.

Weather Conditions

Weather conditions are uncontrollable, but they can still play a role in car accidents. If it’s raining, snowing, or foggy, visibility is decreased and it can be more difficult to avoid an accident. Usually, it is best to refrain from driving when the weather is bad especially if your vehicle is not equipped with the safety features to handle fog or snow.

What are the consequences of car accidents?

Car accidents can have a number of serious consequences, including death, injury, and property damage. But even if you’re lucky enough to avoid these, there are other consequences that can be just as serious.

For instance, car accidents can result in points on your license, which can lead to higher insurance rates. And if you’re involved in a serious accident, you may be sued by the other driver or their insurance company.

Car accidents can also cause emotional distress and trauma. If you’ve been in an accident, you may experience anxiety, fear, or post-traumatic stress disorder. You may also have a hard time sleeping or concentrating. All of these can take a toll on your life and make it difficult to move on from the accident.

Conclusion

Getting into an accident can be a traumatic experience – aside from dealing with medical expenses and lost wages, you can also sustain emotional trauma and anxiety when riding a vehicle. How many car accidents does the average person get into in a lifetime? The data shows that you can be involved in an auto accident three or four times in your life.

If you get into a car accident, regardless of the cause, be sure to get in touch with Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney. Jared will help you sort out the legalities, claim damages, and get the compensation that you rightfully deserve.

>> If you’re involved in a car accident in Florida, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jared Spingarn, Accident Attorney at 1-954-781-2316 for a Free Case Review or drop a message on their Contact Us page.