CDC Report Shows High Cost of Car Accident Injuries

A three-vehicle crash in Huntington Beach this past Saturday killed one person and left two with critical injuries. Arrests have yet to be made and police are still investigating the cause of the collision. A recent report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spotlights the massive economic hardships injured motor vehicle accident victims face, as the average crash-related emergency room visit costs $3,300, and hospitalization expenses can tally $57,000 over a person’s lifetime.

The report, which cited a staggering $18 billion in lifetime costs for car accident injuries sustained in 2012, outlined the economic costs for both individuals and the U.S. health care system. 

The Los Angeles car accident lawyers at Ellis Law are committed to helping injured victims in the Southern California area secure the best financial recovery. We pursue claims on behalf of clients who have lost a loved one or been harmed by the negligent or reckless actions of others, and have won millions of dollars in personal injury verdicts and settlements over the past decade.

Keys finding in CDC car crash injury analysis

“Motor vehicle crash injuries occur all too frequently…We need to do more to keep people safe and reduce crash injuries and medical costs,” said Ileana Arias, Ph.D., CDC Principal Deputy Director.

The CDC report included the following statistics on motor vehicle accidents nationwide:

• Adolescents and young adults (aged 15-29) are at high risk for car accident injuries, and accounted for roughly 38 percent of all crash injuries in 2012.
• More than two-thirds of car accident-related medical costs occur within 18 months of the collision
• Elderly drivers (age 80 and older)are at the highest risk for hospitalization after an accident
• In 2012, nearly 7,000 individuals received emergency room treatment for car crash injuries. This number has declined greatly since 2002
• In 2012, lifetime work lost due to motor vehicle crash injuries cost some $33 billion

While many states have passed legislation to help prevent car crash injuries, more steps are needed to keep motorists safe on the road. Like other states, California has yet to fully implement measures to curb drunk driving accidents, distracted driving, and to promote the use of seat belts, car seats and booster seats.

Legal advice you can count on

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian or car accident in the LA area, and you need legal representation, here are just a few advantages of working with a Los Angeles crash injury at Ellis Law:

• We work on a contingency basis, which means clients never pay a dime until we recover compensation
• Our Los Angeles car accident lawyers have your best interests in mind, and have extensive experience in front of a jury and negotiating settlements
• We’ll never accept a settlement that’s less than clients deserve and will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf
• Our personal injury law firm works alongside with industry experts and medical investigators who can help us build the strongest case possible

In the aftermath of a traumatic car accident, litigation may be far from your thoughts until hospital bills begin piling up and lost wages take their toll. A personal injury claim can help protect your financial stability and hold negligent parties accountable. For more information about pursuing a car accident lawsuit in Los Angeles, we invite you to call us for a no-charge legal consultation at 310-641-3335.