Car accidents are common in Washington, DC and around the country. Researchers have determined that the number of fatal accidents rose in 2020. Catastrophic auto accidents can occur due to various causes.

What does the data show?

Data collected by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration showed that while people drove less in 2020, there was a noticeable rise in catastrophic auto accidents. According to the data, around 38,680 people died in road accidents. This number was the highest since 2007.

By comparison, the NHTSA showed that in 2019, there were 36,096 deaths as a result of auto accidents. At the same time, there was a total of 430.2 billion miles less traveled in 2020 compared with 2019. These horrific accidents resulted in 1.37 deaths per 100 million miles traveled in 2020 compared with 1.11 deaths per 100 million miles traveled the year before.

What are the main causes of such serious car accidents?

Catastrophic auto accidents are usually caused by a few factors. The most common of those causes are distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, fatigued driving, and speeding. Drivers who fall under any of those categories put everyone on the road at significantly higher risk for car crashes that result in debilitating injuries that can prove to be fatal.

There was a 20% increase in people in accidents being thrown from vehicles. Around 11% of these catastrophic auto accidents that occurred in 2020 took place during the night and 9% during weekends.

In spite of these statistics increasing during 2020, there were some positive decreases as well. Accidents involving commercial trucks decreased by 2% and those involving people 65 years and older decreased by around 9 percent.

Staying safe while on the road is important. Avoiding an accident is not always possible, but there are measures you can take to stay safer. Always drive only when you're sober and awake. Stay on the alert at all times when behind the wheel.