A number taken out of context has no meaning. Standing alone, 65 means nothing of significance. But, if you knew 65 motor vehicle accidents take place every day in Wisconsin, you might use a little more caution when driving. Motor vehicle accident statistics have evolved over the years, and the more statistical information we have, the better drivers we become.

“Data, in one sense, is the DNA of transactions, behaviors, and processes that can, when understood, be optimized.”—Forbes Technology Council

Why Statistics Are Important When It Comes to Safety on Wisconsin Roads

A good driver is a product of experience—traffic fatalities are the leading cause of death for young people ages 15 to 29. The most recent statistics from the state Department of Transportation show 540 fatal crashes out of 23,747 injury-causing crashes in a single calendar year—only 23 states report more fatalities.

Law enforcement officials, legislators, grassroots coalition supporters, and relevant business and industry executives use roadway safety statistics to:

• Develop educational programs focusing on safety issues
• Identify hazardous roads and high crash locations
• Propose and develop roadway safety and infrastructure improvements
• Improve First Responder training

Quality data dramatically increases the probability safety measures will mitigate the number and severity of motor vehicle accidents.

The most recent state-specific numbers from our Department of Transportation indicate the leading four causes of crashes in Wisconsin are:

1. Deer (16,547)
2. Speeding (15,995)
3. Alcohol (6,050)
4. Drugs (2,250)

Every day, 65 Wisconsin families become a motor vehicle accident statistic. State-specific data from the Centers For Disease Control tell us that our residents face $8 million in medical costs alone every year. An experienced personal injury attorney can be instrumental in recovering financial compensation for personal injuries, property damage, and lost wages.

No matter the reason for a motor vehicle accident, timing is critical for those victims wishing to file a personal injury claim against the negligent party. Valuable evidence can often be time-sensitive. For those families who find themselves a “motor vehicle statistic,” an experienced personal injury lawyer can be an avenue to financial recovery.

Motor Vehicle Accidents Caused By Deer

More than 800,000 deer roam Wisconsin woods. If all the hunters on the opening day of deer season in Wisconsin were grouped, they would comprise the sixth-largest army in the world.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently reported, “A vehicle has collided with a deer somewhere in Wisconsin every day for at least the past four years—1,460 days straight.”

Before insurance, the average cost to repair a vehicle following a crash with a deer is somewhere between $2,500 and $6,000. An analysis by State Farm insurance shows a driver in Wisconsin has a 1 in 72 chance of hitting a deer. Eau Claire’s WEAU reported current data from the Wisconsin State patrol indicating more than 300 injuries and seven deaths across the state from motor vehicle crashes involving deer.

Common damages to the vehicle include:

• Hood
• Front grill
• Radiator
• Windshield

Additionally, the vehicle may require a front-end realignment, re-setting the airbags, and replacing safety cameras and sensors.

Reckless Driving Behaviors

Aggressive driving, without regard for the safety of others, is dangerous and often deadly.

On a national level, recent statistics show the following percentages of fatal accidents caused by reckless driving behavior such as:

• Speeding 17.2 percent
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol 10.1 percent
• Failure to yield 7.3 percent
• Failure to keep in lane 6.6 percent

USA Today recently reported a shocking increase (a 15-year high) in traffic accident deaths—the publication called the alarming upward trend a “public safety crisis.” Wisconsin’s numbers also indicate an increase (a 6-year high)—594 fatalities in a recent 12-month period.

Other reckless driving behaviors include:

• Distracted driving
• Failure to observe traffic signs and signals
• Road rage

According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, distracted driving is any activity taking a driver’s attention off the task at hand. This can include eating, personal grooming, changing a radio station, and even conversing with passengers in the car. Distracted driving is dangerous and illegal. Our state’s most recent data shows 29 motor vehicle accident fatalities in one year, a 12 percent increase over the previous year’s metrics. The DOT’s research also indicates” 72 percent of Wisconsin drivers involved in distracted driving crashes were older than 25.”

Despite a 14 percent decrease in the number of motor vehicles on our roadways nationally, Wisconsin notes an increasing number of fatal car crashes related to reckless behaviors such as alcohol, drugs, and speeding.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum, a statewide nonpartisan, independent policy research organization, indicated, “The stress and isolation associated with the pandemic and the rise in unemployment may have contributed to increased levels of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. With fewer vehicles on the road at one time, some motorists may have driven faster—with the outcome being fewer but also more serious crashes.”

Alcohol-involved crash fatalities increased from 52 to 78, or 50 percent, during the study period in 2020 relative to 2019. Meanwhile, drug-involved crash fatalities increased from 24 to 35 (45.8 percent), and speeding-involved crash fatalities increased from 56 to 85 (51.8 percent). The data also show fatalities in which a driver involved was not wearing their seat belt increased from 85 to 106, or 24.7 percent.

#1. Motor vehicle accidents due to speeding

Speeding is responsible for almost one-third of all motor vehicles in Wisconsin. Without question, speed is an issue; driving more than 25 miles per hour over the posted speed limit (in a 55/65 miles per hour zone) can result in an immediate suspension of the violator’s driver’s license.

#2. Alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recently reported our state ranks third (64.4 percent) in alcohol consumption, trailing only Washington D.C. (68.7 percent) and New Hampshire (64.6 percent). Sobering, to say the least. The national average for alcohol use in the past 30 days is 55.1 percent).

#3. Drug-related motor vehicle accidents

A recent one-year study shows that fatal accidents involving drugs increased by 45.8 percent.

A report indicated the most common drugs involved are:

• Marijuana
• Opioids
• Cocaine
• Painkillers

#4. Fatigued driving

Driving while fatigued impairs performance. According to the National Safety Council, a person is three times more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident if they are overtired.

An in-depth study sponsored by the National Center on Sleep Disorders tells us:

• The loss of even one night’s sleep can cause extreme short-term fatigue.
• In addition to sleep loss, crash-risk factors for drivers include the use of sedating medications, driving from midnight to 6 a.m., and driving for long periods without taking a break.

Drowsy driving accounts for about 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities every year, according to Bankrate.

Dangerous Roads - Damaged Roads

According to a recent report by Consumer Affairs, Wisconsin has the third-worst roads in the country (falling behind Rhode Island and Hawaii.) Interstate 94 is considered the most dangerous road in the state. Wisconsin’s recent infrastructure report showed almost 200 bridges and in excess of 1,949 miles of highway in poor condition. We received a C—mediocre overall on a grading scale from A-F, and the state of our roads received a D+.

This is most definitely a factor in motor vehicle accidents. The President’s infrastructure bill will give Wisconsin $5.2 billion for highway-apportioned programs and $225 million for bridge replacement and repairs disbursed over five years.

Every city has its share of dangerous roadways. A release from WQOW states Clairemont Avenue in Eau Claire had 1,249 reported crashes over five years, an average of 21 collisions a month.

“The Eau Claire Police Department has responded to a crash nearly every day since 2018, according to WQOW.com.

The most dangerous roads in Eau Claire are

• Clairemont Avenue at Fairfax Street
• Hastings Way at Birch Street
• Golf Road at Commonwealth Avenue
• Farwell Street at Wisconsin Street
• North Crossing at Old Wells Road
• Main Street at Margaret Street
• Clairemont Avenue at Keith Street
• Clairemont Avenue at London Road
• Lake Street at Graham Avenue
• Clairemont Ave. at Craig Rd.

Statistics from Brown County in Wisconsin: Every six hours, someone is in a motor vehicle crash. A distracted driver contributed to 24 percent of injury-causing or fatal crashes. Alcohol or drugs contribute to 40 percent of motor vehicle fatalities.

Large Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are a pervasive problem on our roadways. Despite strict federal and state mandates, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation reports an average of 7,514 large truck accidents a year over five years. Drivers and passengers of automobiles make up 68 percent of truck accident fatalities nationwide. It would seem timing plays a role in truck accidents throughout the country.

Noteworthy statistical information from The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration tells us, on a national level:

• 36 percent of all fatal crashes involving trucks happen between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• 83 percent occur on weekdays
• Over the last 20 years, as a country, we have seen a 29 percent increase in truck accidents

Statistics For Common Types Of Crashes Reported In Wisconsin

• Nationally, rear-end collisions account for almost 29 percent of all traffic accidents resulting in serious injury
• Side impact or T-bone accidents are said to be the cause of 23 percent of motor vehicle accidents
• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tells us head-on collisions have a 58 percent fatality rate
• In one recent calendar year, 6,358 passenger vehicle occupants were involved in fatal rollover accidents

The More Common Injuries From Motor Vehicle Accidents

Emotional injuries are debilitating, long-lasting, and as real as any physical injury. One research study shows 39.2 percent of those who survive a motor vehicle accident demonstrate symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Although there are medical and research-based databases about injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, state-specific metrics are somewhat limited.

A glimpse at some national numbers:

• Fractures are common after a car crash. In a 25-mile per hour motor vehicle accident, the physical damage to a 175-pound person (wearing a seat belt) is the same as being hit with 2,785 tons of bricks.
• More often than not, spinal cord injuries result in some degree of paralysis. Information from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation shows that less than 1 percent of spinal cord injury victims experience complete neurological recovery by leaving the hospital.
• The loss of a limb is one unfortunate outcome of a severe motor vehicle accident. Based on data from the Amputee Coalition, 45 percent of the annual amputations in the U.S. are the result of trauma.
• Injury to muscles, ligaments, and tendons is prevalent in car and motorcycle accidents. About 80 percent of accident victims will suffer from whiplash and soft tissue damage.
• A closed head injury following a motor vehicle accident is often not diagnosed immediately following the incident. Symptoms, such as headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, and confusion, can sometimes take time to be evident. A traumatic brain injury can leave a victim with a lifetime of physical and cognitive defects. According to recent CDC metrics, about 161 deaths are attributed to a brain injury every day in this country.

Why Fight Alone?

The right personal injury firm has served thousands of families facing the challenges and changes that come with being injured or disabled due to another’s negligence. They know how quickly life can upend after a motor vehicle accident. They are committed to helping their clients recover the maximum compensation possible so that they may rebuild their lives.
Look for a firm with members from local communities and an entire legal team ready to leverage their collective skills to help their personal injury clients receive fair and just financial compensation. Contact a personal injury attorney today to schedule your no-cost consultation.