What Are the Odds of Dying in a Car Crash?

May 13, 2024 | Car Accidents

What Are the Odds of Dying in a Car Crash?

No form of travel is 100% safe. Even walking down the street can present some hazards. No matter how many precautions you take in life, it’s simply not possible to avoid every accident. However, taking proper safety precautions can help you reduce your odds of being in an auto accident, especially a fatal crash. 

The Odds of Being Involved in an Auto Accident

The longer you drive, the more your chances of being involved in an auto accident increase. According to the National Safety Council, the odds of being in a car crash are 1 in 366 for every 1,000 miles you drive. 

It is difficult to provide accurate odds for an individual’s chance of being in a crash without knowing how much they drive, where they live, and other personal facts about their driving records. Drivers in California, Texas, and Florida, where the most accidents per capita occur, are at greater risk than drivers in states such as Montana, Arizona, and Utah, where accidents per capita are low. 

Teen drivers may have the highest odds of being in a car accident. Driving mistakes made by inexperienced drivers make them three times more likely to be in a crash, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). 

The IIHS also estimates that while men are more likely to be responsible for causing auto accidents, women are more likely to be injured in them. With this information, it’s easy to see that the odds of being in a car crash for a teenage male driver living in Florida who drives every day are much different than the odds for an experienced female driver in Arizona who rarely gets behind the wheel.

The Odds of Dying in a Car Accident

Auto accidents are a major cause of death in the U.S. 

The most current CDC list of the top ten causes of death across all age groups lists these causes in order:

  • Heart disease
  • Cancer
  • COVID-19
  • Accidents (including motor vehicle accidents)
  • Stroke
  • Chronic lower respiratory diseases
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
  • Nephritis, nephrosis, and nephrotic syndrome

If someone you care about is killed in a fatal auto accident, statistics are no comfort. However, it may help to know that any person’s odds of dying in a crash are low. The National Safety Council estimates them at one in 101. 

How To Reduce Your Odds of Dying in a Car Accident

When you take the steering wheel in your hands, you are also taking your life — and the lives of others — in your hands. 

This realization is part of the daunting responsibility of driving, but fortunately, there are ways you can reduce the risk of being involved in or causing a fatal accident: 

  • Avoid distractions and keep your hands, eyes, and mind on the task of driving
  • If you are going to drink any alcohol or use other substances, do not drive
  • Follow speed regulations
  • Don’t tailgate; keep your car at least three seconds behind the driver in front of you
  • Wear your seat belt at all times
  • Never assume other drivers are paying attention
  • Keep your car well maintained with special attention to tire pressure, brake fluid, and washer fluid

Remember that most accidents happen within a five-mile radius of home. Being in your own neighborhood doesn’t mean it’s okay to relax the safety rules. Make sure that all passengers are buckled up and you are ready to focus on driving. 

Drive With Confidence

Driving does pose a risk, but it is still a relatively safe form of transportation. Follow all the rules of the road to reduce the odds of dying in an accident, and you can enjoy the freedom of driving for many years to come.

A Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Right-of-Way Collision 

To learn more about Arizona traffic laws or to discuss your accident, contact a Phoenix car accident lawyer. Your lawyer will analyze your case and discuss your rights. Next, your lawyer will investigate your accident to determine who is liable and gather evidence to support your case. Contact our Phoenix car accident attorneys at Curiel & Runion Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.

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