Georgia car accident statistics offer a look at fatal auto accidents based on age. The national fatal motor vehicle accident statistics also give a broader overview of these tragic accidents. Young adults lead the way in both number of fatal accidents, as well as fatal accident rate.
Auto Accidents Based on Age: National Statistics
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012, patterns can be seen in fatal auto accidents based on age of the driver. The number of drivers involved in fatal crashes was 45,230 in 2009.
The following reflects the ages and number of drivers involved in all fatal crashes in 2009:
- under 16 years old – 181;
- 16 to 20 years old – 5,051;
- 21 to 24 years old – 4,597;
- 25 to 34 years old – 8,610;
- 35 to 44 years old – 7,757;
- 45 to 54 years old – 7,664;
- 55 to 64 years old – 5,276;
- 65 to 74 years old – 2,868; and
- 75 years and over – 2,547.
The young adult group between 25 and 34 years old led the way in number of drivers in fatal accidents, but the leader in terms of fatal accident rate was the 19 years and younger category at 38 teenage drivers in fatal accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers. Next was the 20 to 24 young adult age group at 36 per 100,000, followed by the 75 and older age group at 28 per 100,000 and then 25 to 34 young adult age group at 24 per 100,000.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also note that young adults aged 20 to 34 years killed in motor vehicle accidents account for about 42 percent of the total cost associated with fatal auto accidents. Next is adults 35 to 64 years at 35 percent of total cost. If you were part of these statistics, you may want to hire a Peachtree City car accident attorney to handle your claim.
Risky Driving Behaviors That Contribute to Auto Accidents
When it comes to the age group most likely to be involved in fatal car crashes, which are young adults, many of the accidents are caused by risky behaviors like:
- speeding;
- aggressive driving; and
- impaired driving.
Teens and young adults are also more likely to be distracted by cell phones and behaviors such as texting while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 18 percent of injury crashes in 2010 were attributed to distraction and nine percent of fatal crashes the same.
Again, we look at fatal auto accidents based on age and the age group with the largest number of drivers distracted in a fatal crash was those under the age of 20. And of those, 19 percent were distracted by cell phones.
Georgia Car Accident Statistics
Georgia car accident statistics told a similar story to national stats in some respects. According to a report from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, in 2009 the age group to experience the highest number of motor vehicle fatalities was individuals between the ages of 25 and 34. That fits national statistics. The age group with the second largest number of fatalities was 45 to 54 years old.
The NHTSA found that in 2010, there were 12.81 traffic fatalities in Georgia per 100,000 population, compared to 10.63 per 100,000 in the United States overall. Of the 1,244 fatalities in Georgia in 2010, 712 involved a single vehicle and 217 involved speeding.
Seeking Help from a Car Accident Attorney in Peachtree City
If you or a loved one were seriously or fatally injured in an auto accident, compensation may be available.
You could be entitled to damages that address:
- medical expenses;
- lost income; and
- pain and suffering.
To learn more about the legal options you may have and for help in determining liability, contact an attorney at the Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 (Peachtree City) or 404-513-5415 (Atlanta). Meanwhile, you can start preparing for your case by learning about some of the costly mistakes you can avoid. We offer lots of helpful advice in our FREE injury book. Remember, anyone can be injured as a result of someone else’s careless or reckless actions.