According to a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle crashes have an $871 billion economic and societal impact on United States citizens.

The study, titled The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2010, involved an analysis of that year's 32,999 traffic fatalities, 3.9 million traffic accident injuries and 24 million damaged vehicles. The staggering $871 billion in overall costs included $277 billion in economic costs and $594 billion in other losses, including loss of life and the pain and decreased quality of life associated with auto accident injuries.

The study also included a breakdown of the economic and societal impact of collision by cause and type:

• Speeding-related accidents, where a vehicle was traveling above the speed limit or too fast for current conditions, accounted for $59 billion (21%) of economic losses and $210 billion (24%) of societal harm associated with traffic accidents.
• Drunk driving accidents accounted for $49 billion (18%) of economic losses and $199 billion (23%) of societal harm associated with motor vehicle accidents.
• Distraction-affected crashes accounted for $46 billion (17%) of economic losses and $129 billion (15%) of societal harm associated with motor vehicle crashes.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents accounted for $19 billion (7%) of economic losses and $90 billion (10%) of societal harm associated with traffic collisions.

The study also showed that seatbelt use prevented an estimated $69 billion in economic losses associated with medical care, lost earnings and other injury-related costs. The failure to wear seatbelts was estimated to equal $14 billion in economic losses and $72 billion in societal harm.

This study is significant because it shows just how dramatically American's lives are impacted by traffic accidents. And though there is no way to truly compensate a victim for the injuries or loss he or she has experienced, looking at the overall costs of these collisions can provide insight as to the profound importance of accident prevention and overall motor vehicle safety.

Help for Car Accident Victims in Houston, TX

At The Daspit Law Firm, we too recognize the considerable impact of car accidents, motorcycle accidents and truck accidents. We have witnessed how a person's life can be turned upside down in an instant, all due to a preventable accident. As Houston personal injury lawyers, we believe in fighting for auto accident victims with all of our might. Using our experience, resources, and knowledge in this field, we strive to seek maximum financial compensation to help our clients rebuild their lives.

We cannot go back and prevent a collision from occurring in the first place, but we can hold distracted drivers, drunk drivers and other at-fault parties accountable for causing these accidents. We can pursue the money needed for medical care, lost earnings, property damage, emotional trauma and other losses and injuries to move onward and upward. Call our offices today to discuss your case.