Car Accident Statistics

Car accident statistics vary based on the source, but we believe we’ve compiled the most trustworthy sources available. The United States sees an average of six million car accidents reported each year. The National Safety Council reported that 2015 was the deadliest year for car accidents since 2008 with 38,300 deaths and 4,400,000 serious injury. The nearly 40,000 deaths was an 8% increase. The cost of car accidents in 2015 was roughly $412,100,000,000. That includes  medical expenses, wage and productivity losses, and property damage.

Indiana Auto Accident Statistics

Unfortunately Indiana’s statistics aren’t quite as up to date, with the most recent published statistics being mostly from 2014. According to the most Recent Indiana Crash Report there were 205,532 traffic collisions resulting in injury or property damage occurred, a 6% increase from 2013. There were 702 fatal crashes resulting in 743 fatalities. That is a 1% decrease from 2013. This number rose to 817 in 2015 according to the NHTSA.

Of those who died in car crashes in Indiana, 53% were not wearing seat belts. Additionally, 26% of fatal crashes were speed related and 13.4% involved a legally impaired driver. The economic costs of these accidents was roughly $3,800,000,000. That number pales, however,  in comparison to the emotional costs of seeing our loved ones severely injured or even killed. We urge you to slow down and if you are intoxicated, call a cab or even and UBER.

Other Car Accident Statistics

It comes as no surprise that Teen Drivers had the highest rate of collisions at 1,178 per 10,000 licensed drivers. The good news is that child deaths resulting from car accidents decreased by 43%, to just 20. This number is still too high though. Recent trends tell us that increased use of cell phones or other hand-held devices. Distracted drivers injure more than 1,153 people according to the CDC. You increase your chance of being involved in an accident by 23% by using a cell phone while driving. This effects young drivers more than anyone, as texting while driving is now the leading cause of death for teen drivers.

The Indianapolis car accident attorneys at our office see how dangerous texting and driving can be everyday and we urge you not to text and drive, be safe and drive carefully. For more information on the dangers of texting while driving please visit the FCC webpage on the issue.