Car crashes occur daily in Maryland, but most of them are minor. Drivers and people who regularly ride in motor vehicles may understand that they are at risk of injury or death, but they may not really understand the likelihood of dying in a crash.
Some people become overly anxious about riding in vehicles due to their fear of collisions. Others may dismiss the risk and choose to ignore it. For people to make informed decisions about their safety, they need to truly understand the odds of dying in a car crash.
How often do people involved in Maryland collisions end up dying?
There are hundreds of fatalities each year
Car crashes can lead to people of all ages and backgrounds dying, even if they are in excellent health. Another driver making a bad choice is the only factor necessary for a fatal collision. While fatal crashes do occur more than once per day on average across the state, they only account for a tiny percentage of the overall collisions reported each year.
The five-year average for total crashes between 2019 and 2023 was 107,886 crashes, with an average of 535 fatalities. That results in a 0.495% chance of dying when a crash occurs. Overall, the odds of dying in a Maryland wreck are low, but traffic collisions remain a leading cause of death.
The odds of dying in a crash aren’t particularly high, but serious injuries and major property damage expenses are an issue as well. Many more crashes result in hospital care and property damage than fatalities.
Regardless of whether a wreck causes minor injuries, personal medical challenges or premature mortality, the people impacted by the collision may have the right to pursue compensation. The party at fault for the crash may need to provide insurance coverage.
In cases involving fatalities, liability may not be adequate to offset the losses generated by the wreck. Litigation may be necessary to fully recoup medical expenses, lost income and other economic damages.
Understanding the likelihood of dying in a crash can help people to make safer traffic decisions and better choices about their insurance coverage. People addressing the aftermath of a car wreck may require guidance when seeking compensation for their losses, and that’s okay.