When we hit the open road, few of us imagine that we’ll end up in an auto accident. Unfortunately, car accidents happen, despite our attempts to drive safely and practice good habits behind the wheel. As we move into the late spring and early summer months, let’s take a look at some factors that may put us at greater risk of suffering an auto accident injury in the Temecula or Murrieta areas.
Age Matters
In general, younger drivers account for a disproportionate number of severe and fatal auto accidents across the country. According to 2018 data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), younger drivers (between the ages of 16-19) make up only 3.9 percent of licensed drivers on the road, but they account for 8.6 percent of all crashes. Individuals between the ages of 25 and 34 are more likely to suffer fatal auto accident injuries than any other age group. Conversely, while we may assume that older drivers may be at an increased auto accident risk, people over the age of 75 account for 7.5 percent of all licensed drivers but account for only 3.6 percent of drivers in overall crashes.
Males More Likely to be Involved in Auto Accidents
Male drivers are more likely than their female counterparts to be involved in a serious or fatal auto accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “the number of male crash deaths was more than twice the number of female crash deaths” between 1975 until 2019. Since 2019, men still account for a greater number of auto accident-related deaths, but the gap is starting to narrow. While men tend to drive more miles and engage in risky driving behaviors (speeding, neglecting to use safety belts, driving while impaired, etc.), women are more likely to become injured or pass away in auto accidents of equal severity.
Road Conditions Play a Role
Fatal auto accidents are somewhat more likely to happen in urban areas (55 percent versus 45 percent in rural areas). Over 50 percent of deadly crashes in 2018-2019 involved a single-vehicle accident. The majority of these incidents involved roadway departures, meaning that a vehicle crossed an edge line or divider and collided with another vehicle or large barrier. Although many people assume that most auto accidents occur at night or during the winter when visibility is poor and the roads may be slicker, the opposite appears true—summer months see a substantial increase in auto accidents. Increased traffic conditions, inexperienced drivers on the road (i.e., tourists, teen drivers), sun glare, and other factors may contribute to an uptick in car accidents throughout Southern California over the summer.
If you’ve suffered an auto accident injury in the Temecula or Murrieta area and you need help collecting compensation, reach out to Hales & Associates, A Professional Law Corporation today at (951) 489-3320 to speak with a knowledgeable and friendly attorney.