The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release about data showing that traffic crashes cost the U.S. $340 billion in 2019. According to the report, The Economics and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes in 2019, an estimated 36,000 people were killed, 4.5 million were injured and about 23 million vehicles were damaged. The total estimated cost of these crashes was around $340 billion.  

The report gathered data about property damage, serious injuries and fatalities occurring from motor vehicle crashes. Data was pulled from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the Crash Investigation Sampling System and the Crash Report Sampling System. Additionally, data was examined from crashes not reported to the police using consumer surveys, in-car observation techniques and various other sources.  

The Breakdown of Costs Associated With Motor Vehicle Crashes  

The $340 billion in costs associated with these crashes breaks down to the equivalent of $1,035 for each of the 328 million people in the U.S., and 1.6 percent of the $21.4 trillion real U.S. gross domestic product for 2019. According to the report, those not directly involved in these crashes pay for about three-quarter of all crash costs. These costs include insurance premiums, taxes and congestion-related costs like lost time, excess fuel consumption and increased environmental impacts.  

In 2019, motor vehicle crashes cost taxpayers $30 billion. That’s the equivalent of $230 added in taxes for every household in the U.S. When quality-of-life valuations were considered, the total value of societal harm from traffic crashes was almost $1.4 trillion in 2019.  

Risky Behaviors Contributing to Fatal and Injury Causing Crashes  

The report also included data analyzed about risky driving behaviors that contributed to fatal crashes. Alcohol involvement, distraction and speeding were three major and preventable factors. They also looked at issues like failure to wear a seat belt, which was a factor in an estimated 2,400 fatalities in 2019 crashes.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a dangerous or distracted driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact the skilled team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.