By Pendergast Law on December 12, 2012
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced their top 10 significant public health achievements for the past decade, 2001 to 2010. Included on the list was the significant decrease in deaths and serious injuries caused by U.S. motor vehicle accidents during that period.
According to the CDC, motor vehicle crashes are the number-one cause of death for young Americans, ages five to 34 years, and they are one of the top 10 causes of death for Americans in every age group. Motor vehicle accidents cause approximately $99 billion in financial losses due to medical bills and lost wages every year, and they rank behind only cancer and heart disease in the number of years of life lost to those who suffer in them.
However, the rate of injuries and deaths in motor vehicle accidents has been dropping steadily over the past decade, according to the CDC. For instance, from 2000 to 2009, the death rate in U.S. car accidents dropped from 14.9 deaths per 100,000 people to 11.0 deaths per 100,000 people. The injury rate dropped from 1,130 to 772 injuries per 100,000. During this same time period, the number of miles traveled each year actually increased by 8.5 percent. U.S. motorists are traveling more, but suffering death and injury less.
Although great advancements have been made in motor vehicle safety in the past 10 years, the risks of an accident, injury, or death on the road are still very real. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car crash, the dedicated Washington car accident attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Call us today at 888-539-9211 with your questions, your initial telephone consultation is free and confidential.