Are Car Accident Fatality Statistics Different for Men and Women?
Posted on: December 20, 2021
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), men make up over 70 percent of all fatalities from car accidents. Men take more risks behind the wheel than women, and men are more likely to drive than women. As a result, not only do men usually pay more for car insurance than women, but also men are more likely to be a cause of an accident, or at least play a role in the accident.
Women make up the majority of licensed drivers. However, that does not mean they cause more accidents. According to statistics, women are generally safer drivers, resulting in fewer accidents and fewer fatalities.
Key Statistics
Looking at data, we learn that women make up more of the licensed drivers but cause fewer accidents. Can we conclude that women are just better drivers? The answer is possibly yes.
Young men cause more accidents. We now know that men cause more car accidents than women. The data also shows that specifically younger men, those under age 25, are most likely to cause accidents.
This age group tends to take more risks than other drivers. Young men are more likely to drive fast, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and more likely to drive aggressively.
More men die in accidents than women. According to the IIHS, twice as many men die in car accidents as women. Although men make up a minority of licensed drivers, men drive more than women, drive longer distances, and are more likely to have jobs that require driving.
Because men are simply more likely to be drivers, they are more often the people injured or killed in accidents. Also, women are not frequently as risky drivers as men. Women are less likely to drive aggressively or drive after having too much to drink. They are also more likely to wear a seat belt than a male driver.
Men are also 56 percent more likely to drive drowsy than a woman. Drowsy driving occurs when someone does not get more than four hours of sleep the previous night but gets behind the wheel. This behavior mimics the effects of driving drunk, making drowsy driving extremely dangerous and often deadly.
Peer pressure is a factor. Men, especially young men, are more likely to cave to peer pressure than women. After a young man gets his driver’s license, he is likely to try and show off for his friends.
This often results in catastrophic consequences. Whether a young man is drag racing on an empty street or driving aggressively to show his friends his driving skills, inexperienced drivers are a frequent cause of accidents.
What to Do if You Have Been in a Car Accident
The steps you take after your car accident can play an important role in your ability to collect compensation for your injuries. The last thing on your mind after a car accident is a lawsuit, but it could be the best way for you to make sure you do not pay out of your own pocket for your car accident injuries. Follow these steps to ensure you preserve evidence of who caused your accident and injuries.
Call 911. After any car accident, call 911. Even if you do not think you have serious injuries, call the authorities because emergency medical personnel will rush to the accident scene to evaluate you. Your adrenaline is pumping and may mask the pain. It is important that you let a trained professional evaluate your condition to make sure you are safe. Calling 911 will also send the police to your accident scene, where they will speak with all drivers involved and any witnesses. They will compile this information in a police accident report. Although this report may not assign fault, it will provide useful information for your legal team.
Take pictures and video. The old cliche is true: a picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures and video can preserve evidence of the cause of your accident better than almost anything else. Get images and video of your injuries, all the vehicles involved, and the full accident scene. This information can prove vital to your legal team as they work to prove that someone else caused your accident.
Speak with witnesses. The police will talk to witnesses, but not all witnesses will wait around for the police to arrive. If you can, at least get witness contact information so your legal team can speak with them about what they saw. Witnesses often provide unique information about the seconds leading up to your accident, something that can help definitively prove you played no part in causing the collision.
See your doctor. Even if you are treated at the accident scene or at the hospital, see your doctor. No one knows you better than your family physician, who can help you chart a path for recovery. Your doctor will also keep detailed records that can provide crucial information about the effect your injuries have on your life and your ability to return to your daily activities.
Do not provide a statement to the insurance company. When you get into a car accident, you need to inform your insurance company that you were involved in a collision. Do not file a claim with your company, and do not give them a statement. You might think that your insurance company will help you, but in reality, they just want to expend as little money as possible. Giving them a statement could lead to you saying something innocent, but that your insurance company could use against you to say you were partially at fault. It is always best to have your legal representative speak with the insurance company on your behalf.
Keep a diary. This might sound like a tedious thing to do, especially if you have severe injuries that will require a long rehabilitation process, but keeping notes about your injuries and recovery goes a long way to show how the accident has affected your daily life. Write in your diary every day. Describe your pain levels and what you were able to do and not able to do. Make sure you note any progress or setbacks you have made. This information can prove invaluable in making the case that the other driver is at fault for your accident and should be responsible for your medical bills and your other financial losses.
Speak with a lawyer. After a car accident, you have legal options available. Although a lawsuit might be the furthest thing from your mind, you need to explore your options. If you have serious injuries, you may never be able to go back to work in the same capacity as before your accident, severely limiting your ability to pay your bills. Most importantly, you need to make certain that you do not pay a penny out of your own pocket for your medical expenses and financial losses relating to your car accident. That should be the sole responsibility of the negligent driver. Partnering with a trusted and assertive lawyer may help you achieve that goal.
Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyers at Ellis Law Help Clients Recover from Accidents
No matter who caused your car accident, you or a loved one may have suffered serious injuries that impact your ability to go about your regular life. To help you get the compensation you need to recover, speak with the Monmouth County car accident lawyers at Ellis Law. For a free consultation, call us at 732-308-0200 or complete our online form. We are located in Freehold, New Jersey, and help clients throughout Freehold, East Brunswick, Toms River, Middletown, Jersey City, Neptune, Hudson County, Union County, Essex County, Monmouth County, Marlboro, and Ocean County, as well as Brooklyn, New York, and New York City.
