Which Age Group Has the Most Traffic Accidents and Fatalities?

Analyzing car accident statistics allows us to identify who may be at higher risk of being hurt or killed in a car crash and to take steps to prevent future accidents. However, statistics only tell part of the story. Statistics don’t tell us about the personal suffering of those hurt in Wisconsin car crashes or the intense grief suffered by surviving loved ones of people who are killed.

Below, our experienced Wisconsin car accident attorney takes a closer look at the ages of people hurt and killed on our state’s roadways and identify steps that you can take to protect your legal rights if you are hurt or grieving a loved one of any age.

Who’s Hurt in Wisconsin Accidents?

Unintentional injuries, including but not limited to motor vehicle crashes, are the third leading cause of death in Wisconsin. For people age 1 to 44, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death. In 2018, the deaths caused by Wisconsin motor vehicle accidents occurred in the following age groups:

  • 1% among children five and younger
  • 3% among 5 to 17-year-olds
  • 18% among 18 to 25-year-olds
  • 56% among 26 to 64-year-olds
  • 23% among people 65 and older

Teen Accidents

Teen drivers lack the experience of older drivers, may be distracted by passengers or cell phones, and may take more risks than older drivers.

In 2020, Wisconsin reported:

  • 15,891 accidents involving teen drivers
  • 45 deaths
  • 5,584 injuries

The Covid-19 pandemic made 2020 a different year on the roads. Therefore, it’s helpful to go back to 2019 to see how teen accident statistics compare to 2020. In 2019, Wisconsin reported:

  • 19,983 accidents involving teen drivers
  • 71 deaths
  • 6,649 injuries

Older Driver Accidents

Older drivers have the experience that teen drivers lack, but medical conditions, medications, and other factors may contribute to car accidents.

In 2020, Wisconsin reported:

  • 17,304 accidents involving drivers 65 and older
  • 117 fatalities
  • 5,910 injuries

In 2019, there were:

  • 24,219 accidents involving drivers 65 and older
  • 135 deaths
  • 8,116 injuries

How Wisconsin Compares to National Car Accident Statistics

Wisconsin gives us recent information about teen accidents and senior citizen crashes, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Nationally, we have statistics about motor vehicle fatalities across more detailed age groups.

In the century from 1919 to 2019:

  • 25 to 44-year-olds had more motor vehicle deaths than any other age group
  • 15 to 24-year-olds had the second-highest number of motor vehicle deaths
  • 45 to 64-year-olds had the third-highest number of motor vehicle deaths
  • People age 5 to 14 and 65 and older had similar numbers of motor vehicle deaths
  • People five and younger had the fewest motor vehicle deaths

In December 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released its early estimate of fatalities by age group for the first six months of 2020. Depending on the month, people:

  • Under 16 accounted for 3 to 4% of all motor vehicle accident deaths nationwide
  • 16 to 24 accounted for 16 to 19% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
  • 25 to 34 accounted for 18 to 21% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
  • 35 to 44 accounted for 14 to 15% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
  • 45 to 54 accounted for 13 to 15% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
  • 55 to 64 accounted for 14 to 16% of motor vehicle accident fatalities
  • 65 and older accounted for 14 to 21% of motor vehicle accident deaths

Take Action After a Wisconsin Car Crash at Any Age

The steps you take after a car crash may determine whether you make a fair recovery. After any accident, we encourage you to contact the police, get medical attention, and call an experienced car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Whether you are hurt or grieving your loved one’s death, our Wisconsin car accident lawyers are here to help you. We will fight for your fair recovery of past and future medical costs, lost income, out-of-pocket expenses, physical pain, and emotional suffering.

Insurance companies know that we mean business and are often willing to settle our clients’ claims. However, we will be ready to go to court if the insurance company won’t provide you with fair compensation.

Injured in a Crash? Contact Our Milwaukee Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Consult

Were you or a loved one recently injured in a crash due to another person’s negligence? If so, then it is time to contact our car accident lawyer in Milwaukee for a free consultation. Our team has been practicing law in Wisconsin for over 50 years, and have seen every type of accident there is.

To schedule a consult with our experienced Milwaukee car accident lawyer, start an online chat, fill out our convenient contact form or call 1 (800) 800-5678 today!

 

Jason F. Abraham
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Helping car accident and personal injury victims throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa since 1993.