Anderson Injury Lawyers | August 19, 2022 | Car Accidents
There are nearly 300 million registered vehicles in the United States. With so many drivers on the road, accidents are bound to happen. The unfortunate truth is that many of them cause death. It may seem like every day that the media reports another fatal accident, so many people wonder what their odds are of dying in a crash.
A look at the statistics and factors involved in fatal crashes can give you some insights into your chances of surviving a car crash.
Fatal Car Crash Statistics
In 2021, 42,915 people died in car crashes, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). It was the highest number of car-crash fatalities on record since 2005.
To present a more digestible number, dividing that number by 365 gives you 117 car fatalities per day on average, and dividing it further by 24, you get nearly five car accident deaths per hour.
However, knowing these statistics only gives you a faint idea as to your odds. The numbers may sound grim, but other factors come into play, some of which you can control and thus reduce your odds of dying in a car accident.
Lower Your Odds
Most car accident fatalities are preventable. They are usually caused by negligent or reckless acts on the road, so the best thing you can do to avoid dying in a car accident is to be a safe driver. Doing so can keep you from being one of the thousands who suffer fatal accidents each year.
Defensive Driving
Assuming you are a safe driver, you might consider taking driving a step further and engaging in defensive driving. While driving in this manner, you will be more aware of your surroundings and the goings-on around you. It will allow you to spot and avoid dangerous situations and drivers as you traverse the roadways.
Always Buckle Up
It’s strange but true that some of the most competent drivers behind the wheel don’t always wear their seatbelts, nor do they always require their passengers to. Some of them don’t buckle up for short trips, while others refuse to do so the entire time on long hauls. However, regardless of how well you drive or how much faith you have in another driver, you increase your odds of dying when you fail to buckle up.
Knowing When Car Fatalities Occur
According to the NHTSA, the deadliest times of the year for motorists are historically the summer and winter holiday months. Staying off the roads or driving with extreme caution when you must drive will help drop your odds of dying in a car crash.
You can reduce your odds further by examining the days and times that see the most fatal accidents. Data shows that fatal accidents are disproportionately more common on the weekends, from Friday to Sunday. Looking further, we see that the deadliest hours of each day fall between 4:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. So avoiding driving on the weekends and at these times can reduce your odds of experiencing a fatal motor vehicle accident.
Ultimately, it is impossible to know your exact odds of dying in a car crash. Nor is it possible to guarantee that you will never experience one. However, you can effectively reduce your likelihood of dying in one if you keep these factors in mind and travel safely.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our car accident lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 610, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
