Car accidents happen at an alarming rate in Kentucky and across the country. Despite recent advances in vehicle safety, accidents also remain a leading cause of both injury and death for Americans. The individuals who ultimately become victims in traffic crashes, though, may surprise you.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its 2018 report in 2020. According to the report, more than 2.7 million drivers, riders, passengers and pedestrians either died or suffered injuries in car accidents.
How do traffic accidents affect drivers?
In 2018, drivers were most vulnerable to traffic fatalities and injuries. The NHTSA’s report indicates that roughly 18,000 drivers died and another approximately 1.8 million sustained injuries in traffic accidents that year. Among motorcyclists, there were almost 5,000 fatalities and 82,000 injuries. About 850 bicyclists died on U.S. roadways in 2018, with an additional 47,000 riders suffering some type of injury.
What risk do passengers have?
Seat belts, airbags, crumple zones and other safety features protect both drivers and passengers. Unfortunately, though, passenger deaths are not uncommon in traffic accidents. In fact, in 2018, nearly 6,000 passengers died in traffic accidents and more than 600,000 received medical care for accident-related injuries.
How common are pedestrian injuries?
While pedestrians are less likely to die or suffer injuries in traffic accidents than drivers, riders and passengers, they are far from immune. The NHTSA reports that about 6,300 pedestrians died in collisions with motor vehicles in 2018, with another 75,000 sustaining bodily harm.
Even though the NHTSA’s recent report does not account for all traffic fatalities and injuries in 2018, it makes clear just how dangerous the roads can be. Ultimately, if someone you love dies or suffers a catastrophic injury in a traffic crash, you may be eligible for substantial financial compensation from the driver who caused the accident.
