What Are My Odds Of Getting Into An Auto Accident In SW Florida?
Corbin Sutter
Traffic Accidents
The average motorist in Port Charlotte might not think too much about getting into an auto accident. Afterall, the average person gets into 3 to 4 accidents throughout their entire life and with the vast majority of these consisting of very minor accidents with little more than cosmetic damage. Many will never experience an accident either as a driver or as a passenger with another motorist. However, the truth of the matter is that accidents do happen, they’re not rare around Port Charlotte, and they can happen at any time. Motor vehicle accidents are responsible for about 32,000 fatalities across the United States every year, a figure which averages out to be about 90 each day. When it comes to injuries, the figure is much higher at about 2,000,000 per year. The average Port Charlotte motorist’s odds of getting into an accident that causes injury on any given day are around 1 in 366 for every 1,000 miles driven according to a recent Esurance study.
Port Charlotte and the surrounding areas are not small with a population of over 62,000. With so many motorists on the road, it’s important that every driver remains vigilant to avoid becoming one of these accident statistics themselves.
Minor Versus Serious Auto Accident Injuries
It can be difficult to track minor versus serious auto injuries simply because some with minor injuries are never seen by a hospital, doctor, or any sort of medical professional. However, according to the CDC, for every 2,500,000 hospital visits for auto accident injuries, around 200,000 results in hospital admissions. This means that around 8% of auto accident injury cases result in severe enough injury to warrant an overnight stay at the hospital, while 92% are treated and sent home the same day.
Auto Accidents And Age
A person’s likelihood of experiencing an auto accident on any given day varies greatly depending on their age. Younger drivers are far more likely to be in an accident when compared to older adult drivers, but the likelihood does go up again for seniors. Auto collisions are the third most common reason for emergency room visits for individuals aged 15 to 24 and the second most common cause of emergency room visits for individuals aged 25 to 35. For those aged 36 to 45, it’s the fifth most common reason for an emergency room visit, and the sixth for those aged 46 to 64. For those 65 and up, the number goes back up to fourth.
It's easy to see why these numbers are so high for younger drivers. Young drivers lack the experience and wisdom on the road to avoid accidents, they often have an overabundance of confidence in their limited driving skills, and they’re largely still learning what to do on the road in a variety of situations.
What To Do If You’re In An Accident
The best thing you can do as a motorist in Port Charlotte is be prepared in case an auto accident happens to you. There’s no warning before an accident occurs, and it pays to know what steps to take after the fact. A skilled personal injury lawyer can walk you through the evidence collection process, help you to stand up to insurance providers who may try to downplay your injuries, and work to get you the settlement you deserve. Recovery after an auto accident doesn’t have to be more stressful than the accident itself.
If you’re looking to learn more about auto accident law in Florida, or you’ve been in an accident and you need skilled representation, we can help. Contact us at AllInjuriesLawFirm.com today to see what our experienced team can do for you, your accident, and your claim.