Car Accident Statistics

Looking at car accident statistics can give one a clear picture of some of the most common causes of these collisions, what types are the most common and where traffic accidents most frequently occur.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) was established by the Highway Safety Act of 1970 and works daily to forward the safety of our roads and motor vehicles. One part of the NHTSA's practice is the ongoing research and analysis of traffic accidents throughout the United States. Not only is their website a wonderful source of information about the types of traffic accidents, their causes and the financial and injury-related impact that these have, but you can find numerous statistics related to collisions nationwide.

Following are some key traffic accident statistics presented by the NHTSA for collisions that occurred in 2009:

• There were approximately 5.5 million police reported traffic accidents, and 33,808 people lost their lives in these collisions.
• Approximately 2.2 million people were injured in traffic accidents.
• Approximately 3.9 million collisions involved property damage alone.
• Traffic accident fatalities primarily involved vehicle occupants, which made up 72% of the total number of deaths. Motorcyclists accounted for 13% of fatalities and pedestrians, cyclists and other non-occupants accounted for the rest.
• It is estimated that seat belts have saved 12,713 lives in traffic accidents, and if every vehicle occupant over the age of 4 had properly worn seat belts, it is estimated that another 3,688 lives would have been saved.
• Alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 32% of all traffic fatalities.
• Speeding was estimated to be a contributing factor in 31% of fatal traffic accidents.
• 738 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in Oklahoma in 2009; 32% of these collisions involved a driver who had an unlawful blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater.

Interested in learning more about car accidents and your right to financial compensation if another driver caused your collision? Talk to a legal professional about your particular case.

Contact an Oklahoma City personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Stipe & Belote for an honest, straightforward analysis of your car accident claim.