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Car accident injuries and deaths aren’t distributed evenly among age groups. Do you know which age groups are more likely to get hurt in crashes and why?
People Aged 30 to 39 Have the Highest Risk of Car Accident Injuries and Deaths
According to the most recent data from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, people aged 30 to 39 are the most likely to sustain injuries or die in a crash. During one recent year, 138 people in this age group died in collisions, while 5,164 people in that cohort suffered injuries. The age group with the second-highest number of deaths was those aged 40 to 49, with 117 people killed, while the group with the second-highest number of injuries was people aged 16 to 20, with 4,291 injuries.
Some reasons why people in their 30s might be more likely to sustain injuries or die in crashes include:
- Busy Lifestyles – Many 30- to 39-year-olds are juggling careers, parenting, errands, and other obligations, which can lead to fatigue and inattention behind the wheel.
- Higher Exposure – This age group tends to drive more often and for longer distances than older or younger drivers, increasing their likelihood of being involved in a crash.
- Occasional Risk-Taking – While generally more cautious than younger drivers, some drivers in their 30s still speed, drive while distracted, or fail to wear their seat belts.
- Impaired Driving – Alcohol or drug use may still play a role in many crashes involving drivers in their 30s, especially during social events or weekends.
Other Noteworthy Trends Among Different Age Groups
While people in their 30s face the highest risk of death or injury in Mississippi car accidents, drivers in their 40s to 60s have a heightened risk compared to drivers at either end of the age spectrum. For example, 117 drivers in their 40s died in crashes during one recent year, along with 98 drivers in their 50s and 100 drivers in their 60s. By comparison, 70 drivers aged 16 to 20 died in crashes that same year, while there were 32 deaths among drivers in their 70s.
The picture’s a bit more complicated for crash-related injuries but still reflects the same general trend. While drivers aged 16 to 20 suffered the second-highest number of injuries during the most recent year researchers analyzed, the group with the third-highest number of injuries was drivers in their 40s, with 3,945 reported injuries. Next are drivers in their 50s (3,532 reported injuries), followed by drivers aged 25 to 29 (3,341 reported injuries).
No single factor makes these age groups more likely to suffer severe injuries or deaths, though we can make some educated guesses. For example, the high number of crash-related injuries among people aged 16 to 20 suggests inexperienced drivers may take more risks or fail to react in time to avoid a crash. These risky behaviors may include speeding, impaired driving, and not checking blind spots before changing lanes. The fact that injuries among people in their 20s are much lower compared to teenagers supports this hypothesis.
Unsurprisingly, the groups with the lowest numbers of crash-related injuries and deaths are at the extreme ends of the age spectrum. Just 32 people aged 15 and younger died in crashes during the most recent year researchers examined, while there were 60 fatalities among people 70 and older. The same trend holds when you look at injuries among people in those age groups.
Contact Our Hernando, MS, Car Accident Attorneys Now
A Mississippi car accident can have catastrophic consequences no matter your age. The team at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman has served clients in Hernando and throughout North Mississippi for decades, and we can help you fight for the money you need to rebuild your life. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
