Kenny Habetz Injury Law | August 22, 2023 | Car Accident
People die in car accidents every day. That knowledge can make you wonder what the chances are of dying in a car crash. Fortunately, only a small percentage of people experience a fatal collision. The car accident injury rate is much higher than the death rate.
Taking a look at U.S. accident statistics can give you peace of mind when it comes to worrying about a fatal crash. And if you do lose a loved one in a car accident, knowing where to go for help protects you from paying the price for someone else’s negligence.
How Many Car Accidents Result in Death?
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) keeps close tabs on car accident fatality rates in an effort to improve safety and reduce the rate of fatal crashes.
NHTSA data shows that in the most recent reporting year, 42,795 people died in car accidents in the U.S.
When it comes to the odds of dying in a car crash, location also plays a major role. Crash fatality rates can vary dramatically by state.
According to CDC data, the five states with the highest crash fatality rate are:
- West Virginia
- New Mexico
- Tennessee
- Louisiana
- Kentucky
Of all 50 states, Hawaii has the lowest car accident death rate. In the continental U.S., the lowest crash fatality rate is found in Nebraska.
Comparing Car Crash Injury and Death Rates
The CDC further breaks down U.S. fatal car accident data, estimating that an average of 110 Americans die in car accidents each day.
Looking at fatal crash rates alone can be sobering. However, there’s more to the picture. The CDC also estimates that there are over 2.1 million emergency room visits related to car accidents in the U.S. each year. These ER visits don’t come close to accounting for all the accidents that result in minor injuries or none at all.
By comparing the car accident death rate to the number of documented emergency room visits, it’s easy to see that only a small percentage of car accidents result in the death of a driver or passenger.
Recovering Car Crash Compensation
Serious and fatal accidents happen on a daily basis. When someone else causes a car accident, you can hold them legally responsible for your medical bills and other costs associated with the accident.
Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries can range from minor to catastrophic. The more serious they are, the more likely it is that they’ll bring significant medical bills and long-term consequences.
If you need help recovering compensation for car accident injuries, you need a lawyer who practices personal injury law with a focus on car accident cases. Car accident compensation can cover current and future medical bills, lost wages, and physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Wrongful Death
When a car accident results in death, it’s possible to recover compensation through a wrongful death claim. In this case, you’ll want to look for a personal injury lawyer who handles both car accidents and wrongful death.
Wrongful death compensation can cover items like:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills incurred before death
- Pain and suffering experienced before death
- Expected future income
If the deceased has dependents, wrongful death compensation can cover their lost financial support. Pursuing a wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident is typically only an option for immediate relatives like a spouse, parent, or child.
Consult a Lafayette Car Accident Lawyer If You Lost a Loved One in a Crash
The odds of dying in a car crash might be low, but they’re not quite zero. If your loved one has been killed or injured in a collision, a car accident attorney can help fight to recover the competition your family needs to heal and recover from the loss.
Contact the Louisiana Car Accident Law Firm Of Kenny Habetz Injury Law for Help Today
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free case evaluation with a Louisiana car accident lawyer or contact us online. We have offices in Lafayette and Crowley, LA.
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Lafayette
110 E Kaliste Saloom Rd Ste 101 Lafayette, LA 70508
(337) 399-9000
Kenny Habetz Injury Law – Crowley
604 S Parkerson Ave. Crowley, LA 70526
(337) 329-8883
