Everyone knows that car accidents are a possibility, and we’ve all driven by numerous wrecks, some more serious than others. But most people don’t really think about this problem when they get in the car. They’re not worried that they’re going to get in an accident.
What should they be? Is the real issue just that we don’t understand the full scope of the problem? Some have gone so far as to call it an epidemic, and it’s important to know why.
42,000 fatal accidents tell a story
Exact totals may vary from report to report, but the National Safety Council estimated that more than 39,000 people lost their lives in 2019 due to auto accidents. Next, they found that the fatality totals only went up in 2020, exceeding 42,000 people.
This alone is something that a lot of people don’t fully grasp. A large college may have 40,000 students. The amount of deaths on the road every year is similar to the full population of that college. It’s a staggering thing to think about, but it largely goes under the radar.
Why does this happen? Much of the reason why people don’t understand the full threat is that car accident fatalities tend to come in ones and twos. When you add up the numbers at the end of the year, the totals are frightening, but you simply don’t pay attention to all of the accidents that take place to get to that number. It’s impossible to do, and it skews the way people think about the risks they face on the road.
Have you lost a loved one?
If you’ve lost a loved one in a car accident or if you’ve been seriously injured, it’s wise to look into your rights to seek financial compensation.
