1 Every 5 Minutes – New Data Regarding Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents
Data analysis conducted by representatives with John Foy recently laid bare the unfortunate reality of national motor vehicle accidents. As of 2022, motor vehicle accidents injured 2,382,771 people. In other words, the United States saw at least one accident every five minutes that required survivors to receive restorative medical care.
The Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
These accidents tended to stem from drunk driving, distracted driving, and drivers’ deliberate disregard for posted speed limits. According to John Foy’s representatives, these accidents were otherwise completely avoidable. Instead, they left survivors with profound physical, emotional, and financial losses.
The injuries stemming from these accidents ranged from minor bruises and whiplash to severe trauma, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and internal organ damage. Many victims also reported long-term psychological conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
The Frequency of Motor Vehicle Accidents Puts Strain on the American Healthcare System
These accidents do more than complicate the lives of victims and their family members. The American healthcare system saw significant strain as a result of these frequent accidents. In 2022, reports revealed that avoidable motor vehicle accidents resulted in an estimated 2.76 million emergency room visits.
The medical costs associated with these visits cost American citizens over $18 billion.
The average trip to the emergency room costs an average of $6,540, which is more than most American citizens have in their savings. Knowing that these financially devastating trips are avoidable leads our team to believe that increased awareness about the dangers of drunk, distracted, and reckless driving may save Americans money – and preserve their well-being.
Leading Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2022
As of 2022, the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents included drunk driving, distracted driving, and speeding. Drunk drivers caused over 300,000 injuries, making up over 13% of accidents in Georgia alone. Comparatively, distracted drivers sent over 289,310 people to the emergency room and accounted for 12% of Georgia’s motor vehicle accidents.
John Foy’s representatives again emphasize that drunk and distracted driving accidents are avoidable so long as drivers on the road make a point to look out for one another. Instead, negligence behind the wheel can see victims undergo a lengthy and challenging recovery process – one that might become fatal if they can’t get the care they deserve.
Raising Awareness Before the Holiday Season
The team hopes that greater awareness about the dangers of distracted and drunk driving may curb these behaviors ahead of the coming holiday season. We want to emphasize that drivers can make safer decisions before getting behind the wheel. It’s easier than ever to lock up drivers’ phones or use rideshare services to stop intoxicated drivers from hitting the road.
What’s more, everyone traveling for the holidays can prepare themselves for increased traffic and reckless behavior. Obeying posted roadway signs, pre-planning a driving route, and regularly checking the weather can help drivers stay alert while traveling.
A Wake-up Call for All Drivers
“The number of preventable accidents we’re seeing on a year-to-year basis is staggering,” says a spokesperson from John Foy. “Every five minutes, someone’s life is changed by a preventable accident. This data is a wakeup call for all drivers to take their roadway safety more seriously.
John Foy wants to share tips and tricks with Georgia residents that can reduce their chances of getting into accidents, especially as we move into the holiday season. Our experienced car accident lawyers in Atlanta are also ready to provide legal support to anyone struggling to recover from a recent collision.
No one should have to try to recover from a car accident alone,” the spokesperson concludes. “We’re a community. Together, we can reduce the number of accidents Georgia sees every year.”
Looking Ahead: Reducing Accidents in 2025
John Foy wants everyone on the road to stay as safe as possible throughout the coming holiday season. We hope that our team’s safety tips can help drivers in Georgia and beyond reduce the number of drunk, distracted, and reckless driving statistics we see going into 2025.
2,382,771 were injured in avoidable accidents in 2022, and survivors spent over $18 billion on the care they needed to get back on their feet. It’s time to do something about those shocking numbers. If we work together to increase awareness about the risks of driving while impaired or distracted, we can make the roads in Georgia safer for everyone.
