Oklahoma Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents are widespread and a major problem across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 90 people every single day that will die in a car accident in the United States. Large states with robust populations like California and Florida are states that report the most car accidents annually. This is because there are more cars on the road which makes the probability of having a crash much higher than in other states with fewer drivers. Even still, every state has to manage the devastating and costly aftermath of car accidents.
The state of Oklahoma is no different than any other state in the nation. Crashes happen every day and range in their severity. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in Oklahoma, you can call on the Oklahoma City personal injury attorney at the Putnam Law Office for assistance in filing a personal injury claim for compensation.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office detailed that in 2020, there were 169 crashes every day all across the state. That year, there were 654 deaths from fatal Oklahoma car accidents. Also that year there were 27,419 injuries due to auto accidents. A total of 61,739 crashes happened somewhere in the state of Oklahoma, and 602 were deadly.
Alcohol-related crashes accounted for the highest amount of deadly accidents that took place in 2020 with 199 fatal car crashes reported as the results of intoxicated drivers. Driving at unsafe speeds came in second for most fatal accidents at 185 deadly crashes.
Car crashes can result in a wide range of damages for victims, and when an accident produces injuries or death, medical expenses can be costly. Healing from an injury can mean time away from work and lost wages, while a wrongful death can mean loss of future earnings. Car repairs are another financial burden that has to be dealt with. These are only a sampling of the damages that a victim may include in their personal injury claim for compensation.
The CDC offers tips to potentially minimize the severity of injuries when a crash occurs. Some of these include:
- Always use a seatbelt.
- Make sure children are always in the right safety seat or securely buckled in the back seat.
- Never drive while impaired on drugs or alcohol or any type of medication that could affect your ability to safely operate your motor vehicle.
- Drive according to the posted speed limits or appropriate for the weather conditions.
- Do not drive distracted with cell phones, eating, drinking, or anything else that diverts your attention from the act of driving.
Speak with an Oklahoma City Car Accident Attorney Today
Car accidents can be shocking, distressing, traumatic, and expensive. It is critical that victims get the most compensation possible from their injury claims. To improve your chances of securing maximum recovery from your claim, please call the Oklahoma City car accident attorney at the Putnam Law Office at 405-724-7701 to schedule a free consultation at your earliest condolences.