There is a lot that can be learned by taking a close look at fatal car accident statistics. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, we have helped many victims of car accidents recover compensation for damages. Keep reading to learn about some of the latest statistics if you want a better idea of how to prevent future accidents. If you have lost a loved one in this type of accident, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
The Way the Statistics Were Computed
First, let us discuss the main way the statistics were computed, which was by looking not just at the total number of accidents or fatalities, but the number of accidents and fatalities based on the vehicle miles traveled. They used rates of fatalities per 100 mill vehicle miles traveled (VMT) to make sure that states and areas with more cars did not appear to have a higher percentage of accidents.
There Was a Reduction in Fatalities in 2020
Is it surprising to learn that there were overall fewer fatalities in car accidents in 2020? Likely not – because there were fewer people on the roads due to stay-at-home orders. Not only does this mean that there are fewer cars on the road to get into accidents, but those who are on the road have fewer other vehicles with which to get into an accident.
Some Categories Had Bigger Shifts Than Others
In some categories they studied, they found larger shifts in fatalities and fatality rates in a particular month than were shown in other categories. For example, accidents on rural, local, and collector roads increased from 18% in April 2019 to 22% in April 2020, which comes to a 4% increase in just one year. Additionally, the total fatalities on these roads increased 11% in the same time period.
The categories with the largest increases in 2020 compared to the numbers in 2019 include:
- 11% increase for rural, local, and collector roads
- 15% increase on urban interstates
- 12% increase on urban local and collector roads
- 11% increase in nighttime fatalities
- 9% increase in weekend fatalities
- 6% increase in fatalities involving a vehicle that was at least a decade old
- 9% increase in rollover accidents
- 9% increase in single-vehicle accidents
- 20% increase in occupant ejection
- 11% increase in speeding-related accidents
- 15% increase in accidents involving 16–24-year-olds
- 18% increase in accidents involving 25-34-year-olds
- 14% increase in accidents involving 35-44-year-olds
- 9% increase in accidents involving men
- 15% increase in accidents involving people not wearing seatbelts
Some Categories Saw Reductions in Accidents
Of course, just as there were many increases, there were some reductions, too. Those who are 65 years and older were involved in 9% fewer car accidents, and the number of fatal accidents involving big rigs and other large trucks went down by 2%.
