When you are involved in an auto accident, your life can be totally upended. From injuries and medical bills, to property damage and vehicle repair, costs can quickly add up. Aside from physical damage, an accident can also hurt your bank account as well. The “true” cost of an auto accident takes into account many different factors, and can tally much higher than you might initially think.
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, in 2018 there were 127,056 auto crashes in the state, culminating in 36,507 injuries and 916 fatalities. This equates to approximately 146 injuries and 2.77 fatalities daily.
Economic Loss Due to Motor Vehicle Accidents
In 2018, the total amount of Arizona’s economic loss due to motor vehicle accidents was $19.3 billion, with the majority of money lost in relation to fatalities ($9.6 billion).
The National Safety Council has stated that the average economic costs per person involved in an auto accident are as follows:
- Car accidents resulting in property damage only: ($4,400/vehicle)
- Car accidents resulting in no injuries: $11,900
- Car accidents resulting in possible injuries: $22,300
- Car accidents resulting in evident injuries: $27,100
- Car accidents resulting in physical disabilities: $93,800
- Car accidents resulting in fatalities: $1,615,000
Factors Impacting Cost
A number of factors affect the total cost of the accident. Such factors include:
- The severity of the accident as a whole
- The damage to the vehicle
- The physical injuries to passengers
- The number of passengers injured
- The value of affected property, such as the vehicle
- Location in which the accident occurred
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Not only do auto accidents often result in expenses for physical and emotional damages and property damage, but you may also experience lost wages and increased insurance premiums. In fact, according to a recent study, making just one claim on your car insurance can cause your premium to increase by 41 percent on average, and can double after two claims.
What Can You Do?
Of course, accidents aren’t always preventable. However, there are a number of things that you can do to reduce the likelihood of being involved in an accident. Such safety precautions include:
- Always wear a seatbelt
- Avoid distracted driving
- Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Obey all traffic laws
- Always remain attentive
- Anticipate the actions of others and drive defensively
- Ensure your children are safely secured in the proper car seat or booster seat according to age and size
- Purchase sufficient car insurance and health insurance
Auto accidents can result in a number of damages that can impact your life and the lives of your family members. You should not have to deal with the physical, emotional, and financial burden alone.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence or recklessness of another, a qualified Arizona Car Accident attorney can help. At Zanes Law Firm we will help you fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us at 833-214-0917 today.
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