If you look at news stories about car accidents, it can seem very daunting and dangerous. Those who live in urban centers are likely around scores of accidents every single day.
For example, one thing that happened recently is that the United States hit a 16-year high for traffic fatalities in 2021. This showed that the roads were more dangerous than they had been in more than a decade. Even if you have worked hard to become a safe driver, you have to understand the risks that you’re facing because other drivers could cause a serious accident.
But there is good news. The older you get, and the lower your odds of getting in one of these serious accidents will become.
A matter of experience
The reason that this happens is simply because younger drivers have a much higher fatal accident rate. It is highest for those between 16 and 19 years old in the United States. You can then see a decline in statistics as soon as people turn 20 years old, and the odds of being involved in a fatal crash continue to get smaller after this.
There’s a slight rise in fatal accidents for elderly individuals. This isn’t because they cause more of these accidents, necessarily, but because they tend to be more frail, and so injuries will be more severe.
But, for the most part, your sheer odds of being involved in a fatal accident are dropping from the moment you get your license. This happens because you’re gaining experience behind the wheel. The more experienced the driver is, the easier it is for them to avoid mistakes that they make – and to avoid the mistakes made by the drivers around them. Your experience can keep you safe in a way few things can.
What if an accident still happens?
Of course, there is always a risk because you could be hit by a younger driver who has less experience than you. If something like this happens and you suffer serious injuries, be sure you know what legal steps to take. You may deserve financial compensation to help cover your medical bills, lost wages and any other costs that come along with that accident.
