According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motor vehicle deaths have declined drastically in the past three years. This has been part of an overall decline since 1985 that has occurred largely because of improvements in car safety. However, it is still one of the most common causes of death in the United States. In 2013, there were 33,804 motor vehicle deaths out of 2.6 million deaths in the country overall.
The numbers take into account bicyclists or pedestrians who were killed in an automobile accident. Therefore, an individual has a one in 77 chance of being killed in a crash involving a car or truck, which is similar to the chances of dying because of poisoning or a fall. It is also similar to the number of deaths caused by a firearm.
Despite the relatively high odds of being killed in a car crash, the roads and the cars the drive on them are becoming safer each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic fatalities are likely to decrease further in the future. It is believed that crash avoidance systems and automated driving may lead the way in reducing the number of crashes in the years to come.
People who have been injured in a car accident often face significant financial difficulties due to high medical expenses and the loss of wages when they are unable to work. In the event that the accident was caused by a distracted, impaired or otherwise negligent motorist, an injured victim may find it advisable to obtain the assistance of an attorney in seeking compensation from the at-fault party.