Are you wondering what the costs of motor vehicle accidents are in the U.S.? Let’s look at a few different statistics and data points.
- Total cost of all motor vehicle accident injuries in the U.S.
- Average Cost of a Motor Vehicle Accident by injury severity
- Average Comprehensive Cost by Injury Severity
- Average Cost of Medical Bills Following an Auto Accident
- How Much Does Insurance Go Up After a Car Accident?
- State-Specific Costs of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
Total Cost of All Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries in the U.S.
According to the National Safety Council, total costs of motor vehicle related accidents were:
| Description | Amount |
| Total | $473.2 billion |
| Wage and Productivity Loss | $202.5 billion |
| Administrative Expenses | $140.3 billion |
| Motor vehicle damage | $72.1 billion |
| Medical Expenses | $54.1 billion |
| Employer uninsured costs | $4.1 billion |
Total: $473,200,000,000
The Average Cost of a Motor Vehicle Accident by Injury Severity
For direct costs that can be calculated (wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, administrative expenses, motor-vehicle damage, and employers’ uninsured costs) here are the totals, for each individual death, individual injury and per damaged vehicle:
| Injury Type | Amount |
| Fatal Injury | $1,750,000 |
| Serious Injury | $101,000 |
| Minor Injury | $29,200 |
| Possible Injury | $23,900 |
| No injury | $12,800 |
| Property damage only (cost per vehicle) | $4,700 |
As you can see above, the average cost of an accident depends on the severity of injuries involved. There are five categories for classification of injured persons according to the NHTSA.
- person with fatal injury
- person with suspected serious injury
- person with suspected minor injury
- person with possible injury
- person with no apparent injury
Direct Medical Expenses
Direct medical expenses can include:
- emergency care
- hospital stays
- surgeries
- rehabilitation
- medical supplies/equipment
- short-term in home care
- long-term care
Indirect Costs
Medical expenses are just the tip of the iceberg. Car accidents can also have indirect costs, such as:
- lost wages
- lost productivity due to injuries
- increased insurance premiums
- decreased quality of life
Imagine not being able to work for weeks or even months due to an accident – the lost wages can add up quickly and have a significant impact on individuals and businesses. And let’s not forget about the emotional toll – the pain, suffering and decreased quality of life for those involved and their loved ones. Being stuck in a hospital bed and not being able to walk can create serious emotional damage.
Average Comprehensive Cost by Injury Severity
The average total costs on a per injured person basis for direct and indirect costs are:
| Injury Severity | Amount |
| Fatal Injury | $11,449,000 |
| Serious Injury | $1,252,000 |
| Minor Injury | $345,000 |
| Possible injury | $160,000 |
| No injury observed | $52,700 |
What is the Average Cost of Medical Bills Following an Auto Accident?
The cost of an ambulance ride to the Emergency Room following a motor vehicle crash averages $900. The average price for an Emergency Room visit is $3,300, and the average inpatient hospitalization following a motor vehicle crash is $57,000. Additionally, the average air flight bill is $50,000.
Trying to prevent car accidents is crucial in reducing their impact. This can be achieved through a variety of measures such as improved road design, stricter enforcement of traffic laws, education and awareness campaigns and advances in technology such as self-driving cars.
The next time you get on the road, just remember the true cost of car accidents throughout America. It’s not just about what the financial burden will be, but also about the loss of human lives and the emotional toll it takes on everyone affected.
How Much Does Insurance Go Up After a Car Accident?
According to Forbes, the national average rate increase is 45% after an accident with property damage, and 47% for causing an accident that results in injuries. Whenever a claim is made against your primary liability insurance company, this can result in a “surcharge,” meaning that it is the actual rate increase after a car accident claim.
State-Specific Costs of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
| State | 2018 Fatalities* | 10-Year Fatality Total | Annual Economic Cost Due to Motor Vehicle Crashes |
| Alabama | 953 | 8,977 | $4.47 billion |
| Alaska | 80 | 683 | $592 million |
| Arizona | 1,010 | 8,961 | $4.183 billion |
| Arkansas | 516 | 5,398 | $2.386 billion |
| California | 3,563 | 32,472 | $19.998 billion |
| Colorado | 632 | 5,241 | $4.173 billion |
| Connecticut | 294 | 2,712 | $4.880 billion |
| Delaware | 111 | 1,133 | $684 million |
| District of Columbia | 31 | 250 | $859 million |
| Florida | 3,133 | 27,095 | $10.75 billion |
| Georgia | 1,504 | 13,333 | $10.787 billion |
| Hawaii | 117 | 1,081 | $577 million |
| Idaho | 231 | 2,131 | $886 million |
| Illinois | 1,031 | 9,824 | $10.885 billion |
| Indiana | 858 | 7,928 | $6.375 billion |
| Iowa | 318< | 3,495 | $2.188 billion |
| Kansas | 404 | 3,992 | $2.445 billion |
| Kentucky | 724 | 7,428 | $4.363 billion |
| Louisiana | 768 | 7,438 | $5.691 billion |
| Maine | 137 | 1,521 | $1.303 billion |
| Maryland | 501 | 5,049 | $4.476 billion |
| Massachusetts | 360 | 3,587 | $5.835 billion |
| Michigan | 974 | 9,528 | $9.599 billion |
| Minnesota | 381 | 3,885 | $3.057 billion |
| Mississippi | 664 | 6,486 | $2.718 billion |
| Missouri | 921 | 8,504 | $5.560 billion |
| Montana | 182 | 2,027 | $898 million |
| Nebraska | 230 | 2,164 | $1.295 billion |
| Nevada | 330 | 2,860 | $1.978 billion |
| New Hampshire | 147 | 1,165 | $1.374 billion |
| New Jersey | 564 | 5,805 | $12.813 billion |
| New Mexico | 391 | 3,597 | $1.769 billion |
| New York | 943 | 11,079 | $15.246 billion |
| North Carolina | 1,437 | 13,414 | $7.909 billion |
| North Dakota | 105 | 1,311 | $706 million |
| Ohio | 1,068 | 10,724 | $10.125 billion |
| Oklahoma | 655 | 6,801 | $2.910 billion |
| Oregon | 506 | 3,921 | $1.768 billion |
| Pennsylvania | 1,190 | 12,296 | $5.851 billion |
| Rhode Island | 59 | 635 | $1.599 billion |
| South Carolina | 1,037 | 9,009 | $4.045 billion |
| South Dakota | 130 | 1,295 | $720 million |
| Tennessee | 1,041 | 9,992 | $5.6667 billion |
| Texas | 3,642 | 34,267 | $17.044 billion |
| Utah | 260 | 2,525 | $1.725 billion |
| Vermont | 68 | 646 | $538 million |
| Virginia | 820 | 7,654 | $4.998 billion |
| Washington | 546 | 4,938 | $4.469 billion |
| West Virginia | 294 | 3,088 | $1.482 billion |
| Wisconsin | 588 | 5,753 | $4.546 billion |
| Wyoming | 111 | 1,275 | $788 million |