If you get into a car accident, you could face weeks or even months of recovery, lost wages at work and emotional and mental difficulties. Depending on the accident you were in, some of your injuries may even be permanent.
Car accidents are common, and many people sustain injuries in motor vehicle crashes every day. However, some groups of drivers are more likely to get involved in a car accident than others.
Teenagers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that when compared with every other age group, drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 have the highest risk of getting into a car accident. If you are a teenage driver, your risk of getting into an accident increases if you drive with other passengers in the car and if you are male.
New drivers
Experience behind the wheel can play a role in your risk of getting into an accident. No matter your age, you are more likely to get involved in a car crash if you have less experience managing different driving situations.
The elderly
The older you get, the higher your risk of getting into a car accident. This risk increases because elderly drivers often have slower reaction times, suffer from vision/hearing impairments and have a harder time focusing.
Even if you are a teenage driver, a new driver or an older driver, you can still minimize your crash risk by practicing safe driving behaviors. For example, do not drive when intoxicated, limit the number of passengers in your car and do not drive and use your cellphone.