The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that every year, over 30,000 people are killed in car crashes across the U.S. alone. In fact, motor crashes number among the top 10 causes of death for people between the ages of 1 and 54. The costs have been staggering as well, with crash deaths leading to as much as $44 billion spent in medical as well as work loss costs.
Iowa Numbers
In Iowa, medical costs reached about $4 million and work loss costs were about 395 million, totaling to a whopping $399 million. That’s how much crash-related injuries and deaths cost the state in a single year, with the highest number of deaths involving motor vehicle passengers and young adults. In fact, 48 percent of all teen death rates in Iowa involve motor vehicle crashes. In the last five years alone, about 162 teen drivers passed away in a car crash.
Drunk Driving
Top reasons for teen deaths in car-related incidents remain the same: driving under the influence. Young adult drivers continue to lose their lives in alcohol-impaired accidents.
Texting While Driving
While nearly all states in the U.S. have a ban against texting while driving, four actually don’t enforce it as a primary offense: Nebraska, Ohio, Florida and, yes, Iowa. It’s a simple misdemeanor that increases or contributes to the death count caused by distracted or inattentive driving. Texting while driving incidents, too, have steadily been on the rise.
What to Do
In case you get involved in a car accident, let your insurance provider know. Don’t forget the details of the other party. And put in a call to an accident lawyer to help you out. Whether you were at fault or not, staying on the top of the legal details will help a lot. Consult with your lawyer on what your next move should be.
