Every day, millions of Americans get into their vehicles and travel to work, school, medical appointments, visit with friends, or run errands. No one gets into the driver’s seat planning on getting into an accident. However, there were a total of 6,756,084 accidents reported in 2019 across the country — an average of over 18,000 crashes per day. While this tells us little about individual behaviors and crash history, it does tell us one thing — car accidents are unavoidable.
In many of the accidents reported in 2019, one driver was engaging in reckless or negligent behavior, and others involved in the crash were responsible people adhering to the rules of the road. Unfortunately, we all face the risk of an accident on the road because of other people’s actions, but this is the reality we live in. Thankfully, there are laws in place to protect victims and keep those around them safe from undue harm.
According to Insurance Panda, most Americans file an accident claim about every 18 years. This is a decent analog for determining the frequency that an average American is involved in a crash. Does this mean that every American should plan on being involved in a crash every 18 years? Of course not. Averages are not destiny, but they offer some valuable insight.
The best way to avoid being involved in a crash is to be a safe and responsible driver. Obeying traffic laws, staying alert and focused on the road, and not engaging in risky behaviors like speeding, texting while driving, or driving under the influence will help keep you safe on the road.
Keeping your car in good working order — tires properly inflated, brakes in good condition, etc. — is also a smart way to avoid accidents. Most importantly, always remember that even if you are doing everything right, there are other drivers on the road who may not be. Always be prepared for the worst.
Who Is Involved In the Most Accidents?
It may come as no surprise, but 16 to 24-year-old men are the group most frequently involved in accidents, both fatal and non-fatal, with an involvement rate of 10,252. The number drops to 7,732 for men ages 21 to 24. The only other group with similar numbers is female drivers aged 16 to 20 with an involvement rate of 9,320.
These statistics do not necessarily mean that every 16 to 24-year-old man will get into an accident, nor that this group is more likely to cause an accident than others. However, they are useful in indicating which groups are most often involved in accidents.
The Trouble with Accident Statistics
If we simply answered the question “the average driver is involved in a reported accident every 18 years,” there would be a lot of nuances left out.
Many of us know elderly friends or family members who have never been in a car accident with decades of driving under their belts, while someone else we know seems to be in a crash every six months. Is it fair to say that both of these drivers align with this statistic?
There are a lot of factors that can contribute to why one person is involved in more accidents than another. Not all of them have to do with driving ability. For example, someone who drives for a living is going to be on the road a lot more than the average person. As a result, they have a higher chance of being involved in an accident simply because they are exposed to more opportunities for accidents.
The same can be said of people who live in urban areas and deal with a lot of traffic daily — but it is also important to remember that urban accidents are often at lower speeds, which may also lead to lower injury rates.
Conversely, someone who lives in a rural area and only drives a few miles to work each day is going to have a lower chance of being involved in an accident. However, if they are involved in an accident, it may be at higher speeds and lead to more serious injuries. So while the average person is indeed involved in a reported crash every 18 years, there are a lot of individual factors that can affect that number.
The most important thing to remember is that no matter how often or how seldom you are involved in an accident, always drive safely and defensively. Remain vigilant.
Contact 1-800-Injured to Get the Help You Deserve After a Car Accident
If you’ve been driving for 18 years and have so far avoided a crash, don’t let this post scare you into thinking you are due for a crash. But also don’t let it make you complacent — the next accident could happen at any time, or it may never come. That’s why they are called accidents.
Even if you’ve been involved in several accidents, that doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. It could just be bad luck.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Miami that someone else caused, working with a car accident lawyer in your area is one of the best steps you can take to ensure that you are not treated like a statistic. Insurance companies are businesses, and they often try to lowball you or delay your payments to save themselves money. An experienced car accident lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on healing.
Need help finding a car accident lawyer in your area? Contact 1-800-Injured right away. 1-800-Injured is a legal and medical referral service that will connect you with a personal injury lawyer in your area for a free consultation.