Overview
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 36,096 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes on U.S. roadways during 2019. This represents a 2.0-percent decrease from 36,835 fatalities in 2018, or 739 fewer fatalities. The estimated number of people injured on our roadways increased in 2019 to 2.74 million, rising from 2.71 million in 2018, an increase of 1.1 percent. The estimated number of police-reported crashes increased from 6.74 million in 2018 to 6.76 million in 2019, a 0.3-percent increase.
Fifty-seven percent of fatal crashes involved only one vehicle.
Collision with another motor vehicle in transport was the most common first harmful event for fatal, injury, and property-damage-only crashes. Collisions with fixed objects and non-collisions accounted for only 16 percent of all crashes, but they accounted for 37 percent of fatal crashes.
Alcohol-impaired driver was involved in twenty-eight percent of all fatal crashes where the highest BAC among drivers involved in the crash was .08 g/dL or higher. For fatal crashes occurring from midnight to 2:59 a.m., 55 percent involved alcohol-impaired driving.
Ninety-four percent of the 12.1 million vehicles involved in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 were passenger cars or light trucks.
Large trucks were involved in 9.8 percent of the vehicles in fatal crashes, but only 3.3 percent of the vehicles involved in injury crashes and 4.8 percent of the vehicles involved in property-damage-only crashes. Of the 5,005 large trucks involved in fatal crashes, 65.8 percent were combination trucks.
Motorcycles in fatal crashes had the highest proportion of collisions with fixed objects (22.7%), and large trucks in fatal crashes had the lowest proportion (4.2%).
Drivers were the most affected in traffic crashes, accounting for 68 percent of those killed and injured in traffic crashes, followed by passengers (24%), motorcyclists (3%), pedestrians (3%), and pedal cyclists (2%).
Car Crashes by Age
Per 100,000 population, people aged 21 to 24 years old had the highest fatality rate and the highest injury rate. Children 5 to 9 years old had the lowest fatality rate, and children under 5 years old had the lowest injury rate per 100,000 population.
The fatality rate per 100,000 population was lower for females than for males, except for children under 5 years old and 5 to 9 years old. The injury rate based on population was higher for females than for males, except for children <5 years old, children 5 to 9 years old, people 55 to 64 years old, people 65 to 74 years old, and people over 74 years old.
Car Crashes By States
Traffic fatalities decreased by 2 percent from 2018 to 2019 for the Nation as a whole. Thirty-six States and Puerto Rico showed decreases, ranging from 1 percent to as much as 31 percent.
The pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population was 1.89 for the Nation. New Mexico had the highest rate (3.96), and Vermont had the lowest rate (0.48).
About 2.3 percent of all traffic crash fatalities in 2019 were pedal cyclists. New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wyoming reported no pedal cyclists killed.
In 2019 there were over 30 states, that had primary seat belt laws in effect and 15 States had secondary seat belt laws. Only one State (New Hampshire) has no seat belt law for adults.
All 50 States do have laws requiring that children of younger ages be restrained in child safety seats.
3,183 persons were killed in car crashes in Florida, that’s 8.82% of the total deaths for 2019.
1 Killed, 1 Injured In Lake City Crash
A 75-year-old woman was killed after a two-vehicle crash in Lake City Wednesday.
According to the Lake City Police Department, the accident occurred when a 42-year-old woman driving a GMC pickup truck was turning from SR 47 onto US 41 where the 75-year-old was traveling southbound.
Investigators are still trying to piece together what happened from there, saying it is not yet clear which vehicle had the right-of-way at the intersection.
“At this point, we have completed our forensic at-scene investigation and we will continue with the investigation so that we can determine the sequence of events that led to this traffic crash,” said Lake City Police Chief Dr. Argatha Gilmore. “We are continuing to interview additional witnesses to confirm conditions at the scene, and must follow up with the Medical Examiner before making a final determination.”
LCPD said the driver of the GMC pickup truck was flown to UF Health in Gainesville where she is in stable condition. The 75-year-old Lake City woman later died at Lake City Medical Center.
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call LCPD at (386) 752-4343.
What To Do If You Are Involved In A Car Crash
The first step in pursuing a car crash is to reach out to an experienced attorney who can help guide you through the many questions that you will have about the legal process and potential compensation for your medical bills and other possible claims. An attorney will help investigate to determine who caused the accident and who is responsible. They will also review accident reports, speak to witnesses and other evidence to determine accident fault. They will ensure that all filing deadlines are met, including notice requirements for claims against the government.
Accidents involving drunk drivers sometimes have one or more drivers involved. This means that there are times that multiple insurance companies will be involved. Our team of lawyers will negotiate with all parties at fault, and their insurance companies, with the goal to reach a settlement agreement without ever having to go to an actual trial. If they cannot reach an agreement that provides you with the compensation that you deserve, they will then pursue your financial recovery in court.
In an accident involving more than one vehicle? The Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine Can Help.
For more information please contact us.
Call the Law Firm of Anidjar & Levine at (800) 747-3733 for a free consultation.
