If you believe the odds of sustaining a personal injury are slim, you might be surprised. Personal injury statistics from automobile accidents, accidents involving trucks, slip and falls, and those resulting from malpractice are staggering. These personal injuries cause financial tragedies. They create disabilities and the inability to work. They can cause lifelong discomfort and a lower quality of life. They are particularly troubling when they occur due to the fault or negligence of others. Here is a look at some statistics surrounding the frequency of these personal injury accidents.
Automobile Accidents
The statistics surrounding automobile accidents are frightening. The National Traffic Highway Safety Administration states an astounding 5.5 million car accidents occur annually. These accidents result in an annual average of over 3 million injuries and 40,000 deaths. When you include truck accidents, there’s an additional 60,000 personal injuries and another 5,000 deaths each year. These numbers can be so large they are hard to comprehend. They mean that every person in the United States will likely be involved in three to four automobile accidents in their lifetime. Approximately 80% of all individuals will experience at least one auto accident in their lives. Even in a relatively small town of 100,000 people, 11 people on average will die in an automobile accident each year.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall injuries in the country are grossly underestimated. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that more than 1 million people are injured in a slip and fall each year, with 17,000 of those resulting in death. While many of these are accidents that occur at home, many occur at work and in public places like stores, parking lots, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The major causes of slip and fall accidents are wet and uneven surfaces, many of which could have been prevented. Falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims, and 5% of all falls result in a fracture. While the odds of being injured in a slip and fall increase as a person ages, incidents can occur at any age. Far too many minimize the damage from a slip and fall, in some cases due to embarrassment. They may brush themselves off and move on, feeling aches or pain for weeks or longer. If you or someone you know is injured in a slip and fall, medical attention should be sought. If it appears that the fall was due to an unrepaired or uneven surface, spills, unmarked level charges, or other reasons that could have been prevented, seek legal counsel.
Wrongful Deaths and Malpractice
Wrongful deaths can occur from a multitude of circumstances. Perhaps the most tragic is when they are due to medical malpractice. Every year, over 90,000 deaths occur from medical malpractice, over twice those who die in automobile accidents. These deaths came at the hands of people patients were seeking help from. Malpractice claims generally fall into four broad categories with failure to diagnose accounting for about a third of all cases. Another 24% are surgery-related,14% are due to improper treatment, and another 9% due to adverse drug reactions.
Accidents happen, but when they were preventable or occurred due to the fault or negligence of others, the negligent party needs to be held accountable. The Jaklitsch Law Group is here to help. We are a Maryland law firm specializing in personal injury cases. If you or a family member has been a victim of a personal injury, “Call the Big Dogs” at The Jaklitsch Law Group, 855-Big-Dog1.
