Law & Safety Brief - Motor Vehicle Accidents have $871 Billion impact on U.S. Economy

In our most recent Law & Safety Brief, published monthly in the Greater Ashland Beacon, we are highlighting a recent study released by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  This report shows the massive impact automotive accidents have on the U.S. economy - totaling $871 Billion.  The report indicates that economic costs - which includes factors such as congestion costs, medical costs, property damage, legal and court costs - totaled $277 billion, or $897 for each of the 308.7 million people living in the U.S., and 1.9% of the $14.96 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for our nation in 2010.  

As a result of all auto accidents in 2010, 32,999 people killed, 3.9 million were injured, and 24 million vehicles were 
damaged.  Intersection crashes represented 26% of all fatalities and approximately 55% of all nonfatal crashes, while interstate highway crashes represented 13% of all fatalities and about 8% of all nonfatal crashes.  Single-vehicle accidents resulted in 58% of all fatalities and about 20% of all nonfatal crashes.  Although motorcycles accounted for only 0.6% of all vehicle miles traveled in 2010, motor cycle accidents accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities and 3% of all police-reported injuries.  

The study also shows the positive impact of passenger car occupants wearing safety restraints.  Seatbelts prevented $69 billion in medical care, lost productivity and other injury related costs.  However, preventable fatalities and injuries to non-restrained automobile occupants accounted for 5% ($14 billion) of the total economic loss and 8% ($72 billion) of the overall societal harm resulting from auto crashes. 

For the full Law & Safety Brief article published in the Greater Ashland Beacon, visit www.ashlandbeacon.com.  If you would like more information regarding the NHTSA's recent study, or to view the full report, go to www.nhtsa.gov.  

Posted by Andrew Wheeler