Car crashes occur all across the U.S., yet we often only see statistics on a national scale. As personal injury attorneys primarily serving Missouri, we wanted to show you a more direct picture of crash crash statistics within our state. As car crash attorneys near you, Casey, Devoti & Brockland sorted through reports by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and pulled eight compelling Missouri car crash statistics from this past year.
1. A total of 31,599 personal injury crashes occurred in 2022.
Personal injury crashes impact thousands of people, leaving them with property damage and physical harm to one or multiple motorists. While this number seems large, it’s the lowest number of reported automotive crashes in over 20 years. However, it’s worth noting that countless other crashes go unreported by those without proper insurance coverage.
2. 3,919 personal injury crashes occurred due to distracted driving.
Some crashes are due to actions taken at the wheel, such as the decision to drive while distracted. While this number seems low, it is likely due to a large underlying factor — police investigating crashes in Missouri are now not required to note on an accident report whether the motorists involved in the crash were distracted driving.
As leading car crash attorneys near you, we’ve found that the primary distraction involved in a crash is often the use of a phone while operating a vehicle. As Missouri car crash attorneys, we’ve worked on cases that resulted from texting while driving, taking a phone call, using a GPS and beyond. Generally, we recommend placing your phone entirely out of reach when you get behind the wheel.
3. Nearly 95,008 crashes involved property damage only.
A substantial portion of total crashes reported in 2022 only involved damage to the vehicles themselves. Though victims sustained no injuries in these crashes, property damage is still a valid claim under Missouri law. Motor vehicle insurance may cover all of the damages involved with your vehicle, but car crash attorneys near you can be valuable resources in securing maximum compensation.
4. The majority of fatal crashes in MO in 2022 did not involve speeding.
Missouri car crashes often turn fatal, but the statistics may surprise you. Contrary to popular belief, most fatal accidents were not the result of speeding. 278 fatal crashes involved speeding, compared to the 504 not involving speeding and the 96 with unknown causes.
5. Alcohol was a contributing factor in 5% of injury crashes.
It’s never safe to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks. Alcohol inhibits our ability to react quickly, process information accurately and more, leading to an increased risk of injury or death on the road.
In 2022, 1,676 personal injury crashes involved alcohol. With the help of car crash attorneys near you, you can wage a strong case against a drunk driver who caused you harm.
6. 19.72% of crashes involved a young driver.
A substantial portion of car accidents in Missouri involve young drivers. Teenage drivers often cause crashes due to their lack of experience on the road or failure to avoid driving distractions such as texting. Notably, teenage drivers experience an increased risk of collisions during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day — also referred to as the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers.
7. 8 percent of personal injury crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle.
Semi-trucks tower over cars on the road, making them a dangerous hazard for nearby motorists. Though federal and state regulations aim to mitigate the dangers of these Missouri car crashes, negligence by the driver or their trucking company often causes significant problems on the roadway. This past year, 2,756 out of 31,599 personal injury crashes involved commercial motor vehicles.
8. 2.39 percent of personal injury crashes involved a construction or work zone.
As summertime construction ramps up, we’ll see an increase in workers on or near busy roads. Construction injuries often go beyond standard jobsite hazards, such as equipment issues, to include reckless driving from passing vehicles — leading to the search for a car crash attorney near you.
Cars driving negligently in construction or work zones cause 2.39 percent of personal injury crashes. When passing through construction zones, we advise that you follow proper speed guidelines and watch out for construction workers — pedestrian crashes can quickly turn fatal.
Need a Missouri Car Crash Attorney?
As a personal injury law firm, we understand that the people behind each statistic have difficult stories to tell. Though no amount of compensation can heal you from the trauma, our team is ready and willing to help you and your family pursue justice after a Missouri car crash.
With decades of experience behind us, we strive to secure all possible avenues of compensation to cover medical bills, property damage and beyond. Have you been impacted by a car crash? Contact Casey, Devoti & Brockland to work with a car crash attorney near you.
