Automobile accident statistics can sometimes be overwhelming. Unfortunately, almost every American will be involved in a car accident at some point in their life. Not all accidents are fatal or involve serious injuries, but many do. It is important to practice safe driving at all times in order to prevent car accidents, although even the safest drivers are involved in accidents due to the negligence of others on the road.

No matter who is found to be responsible for the accident, the damage they can cause runs the gamut from material possessions to physical harm or even death. A car accident can have a significant impact on a person's life, even if the monetary damage is not substantial. The physical and emotional toll an accident takes on a person may far outweigh the material losses sustained in a car accident.

The automobile accident statistics shown below are meant to provide information regarding the frequency of car crashes and their severity.

2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes
Fatal Crashes	39,189	38,444	38,477	38,491	37,862	37,526
Vehicle Occupants and Motorcycle Riders
Drivers	27,472	26,871	26,779	26,659	25,869	25,567
Passengers	10,036	10,355	10,458	10,604	10,469	10,695
Unknown	86	78	104	112	102	86
Total	37,594	37,304	37,341	37,375	36,440	36,348
Nonmotorist
Pedestrians	4,881	4,675	4,774	4,851	4,901	4,763
Pedalcyclists	784	727	629	665	732	693
Other/Unknown	184	130	140	114	123	141
Total	5,849	5,532	5,543	5,630	5,756	5,597
Total	43,443	42,836	42,884	43,005	42,196	41,945
Other National Statistics
Vehicle Miles Traveled (Billions)	2,965	2,963	2,890	2,856	2,797	2,747
Resident Population (Thousands)	296,410	293,657	290,850	287,985	285,108	282,193
Registered Vehicles (Thousands)	-	237,961	230,633	225,685	221,230	217,028
Licensed Drivers (Thousands)	-	198,889	196,166	194,602	191,276	190,625
National Rates: Fatalities
Fatalities per 100 Million Vehicle Miles Traveled	1.47	1.45	1.48	1.51	1.51	1.53
Fatalities per 100,000 Population	14.66	14.59	14.74	14.93	14.80	14.86
Fatalities per 100,000 Registered Vehicles	-	18.00	18.59	19.06	19.07	19.33
Fatalities per 100,000 Licensed Drivers	-	21.54	21.86	22.10	22.06	22.00

*Automobile accident statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Center for Statistics and Analysis.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury, illness, or death as the result of a car accident, call VanDerGinst Law at 1-866-843-7367 or click here for a FREE online case evaluation. The initial consultation is free of charge. If we agree to handle your injury case, we will work on a contingency fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if, and when, there is a money recovery for you. In many cases a lawsuit must be filed before an applicable expiration date, known as a statute of limitations. So please call right away to ensure that you do not waive your right to possible compensation.

Links on the Web