Motor vehicle accidents are an unfortunate part of driving on public roads. Whether the accident is a minor fender bender with little damage or injury to the passenger or a more serious car accident, the odds are that you will be involved in a car accident at some point during your lifetime.

According to various studies, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and insurance industry sources, the average person in the United States will be involved in 3 to 4 car accidents throughout their lifetime.

This figure includes all types of car accidents, which include fender benders, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, rollovers, etc. In 2020 alone, more than 8.5 million vehicles were involved in accidents, comprising 4.7 million passenger vehicles and 3.8 million light trucks.1

With these incredibly high numbers, it is no wonder why motor vehicle fatalities continue to be one of the leading causes of preventable death among individuals under the age of 55.

Why Are Car Accidents So Common?

Many factors contribute to the high number of car accidents in the United States, most related to human error. Here are some of the top reasons why motor vehicle accidents happen so frequently:

Distracted Driving. One of the leading causes of car accidents today is distracted driving, which includes behaviors such as texting, scrolling through social media, using video chat, eating or drinking food, or even adjusting the radio. The NHTSA reports that in 2022, distracted driving was responsible for approximately 1 in 4 accidents in the U.S. In a report titled “Distracted Driving in 2022,” the NHTSA reports that distracted driving was the cause of 8% of fatal crashes, 12% of injury crashes, and 11% of all police-reported motor vehicle crashes.2

Speeding. Speeding has always been a major factor in car accidents. It continues to contribute to a significant portion of crashes each year. If you’re driving above the speed limit, it reduces your ability to react to road hazards and greatly increases the likelihood of losing control of your vehicle. Car crashes at higher speeds often result in more severe accidents and injuries to the passengers. In a report titled “Speeding: 2022 Data”, the NHTSA reports that 28% of fatal crashes, 12% of injury crashes, and 8% of property-damage crashes were speeding-related traffic crashes.3

Bad Weather. Poor weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, or fog can make driving more dangerous. Wet or icy roads reduce traction, and poor visibility increases the likelihood of collisions. While drivers can’t necessarily control the weather, they can reduce their risk of getting into an accident by being more defensive and cautious on the road.

Driving Under the Influence. Despite decades of public safety campaigns, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs continues to be a leading cause of accidents. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them more prone to causing crashes. According to an NHTSA report, in 2022, there were 13,524 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes where at least one driver was alcohol-impaired.4 There were four male alcohol-impaired drivers involved for every one female alcohol-impaired driver.5

What to Do If You’re in a Car Accident

Being involved in a car accident, even a minor one, can have a lasting impact on your life. Even a minor fender bender from a rear-end collision can cause lasting neck and back pain for the driver and other passengers.

Many individuals have medical bills, physical therapy costs, lost wages from missing work, and large automobile repair bills.

If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it’s recommended that you always seek legal counsel. You should seek legal counsel whether you are at fault, partially at fault, or not at fault at all.  

Check out our blog post, “Top 5 Things to Consider When Picking a Personal Injury Lawyer,” for a discussion on selecting a personal injury lawyer to represent you following your car accident.

Many persons involved in a car accident often wonder if they should even bother contacting an attorney. Our recommendation is ALWAYS to contact an attorney to discuss what happened.

Most personal injury attorneys in this space offer free consultations and take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay absolutely nothing unless they recover money for you. Given that there is no out-of-pocket cost to you, why not have the conservation?

Final Thoughts

While it’s unpleasant to think about the likelihood of getting into a car accident, knowing the primary causes of accidents and the steps you can take to reduce your chances of an accident is helpful.

With the average U.S. person expected to be involved in 3-4 accidents in their lifetime, practicing safe driving habits and ensuring you have sufficient automobile and health insurance coverage is essential.

If you are involved in a car accident, contact a reputable personal injury attorney to discuss your options.

  1. https://www.statista.com/statistics/192097/number-of-vehicles-involved-in-traffic-crashes-in-the-us/ ↩︎
  2. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, April). Distracted driving in 2022 (Research Note. Report No. DOT HS 813 559). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ↩︎
  3. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, July). Speeding: 2022 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 582). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ↩︎
  4. National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2024, August, Revised). Alcohol-impaired driving: 2022 data (Traffic Safety Facts. Report No. DOT HS 813 578). National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ↩︎
  5. Id. ↩︎