What Are the Most Common Causes of Accidental Injuries in the United States?

Every day, accidental injuries lead to countless emergency room visits and preventable deaths in the US. The good news is that you can avoid many of the most common accidental injuries if you know what causes them. To help, here are the most common causes of accidental injuries in the United States.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Every year, millions of Americans suffer injuries in motor vehicle accidents. The sheer number and variety of vehicles on the road make these accidents common. Most vehicle accidents happen as a result of speeding, failure to follow traffic laws, and distracted driving. Driving while impaired also causes many accidents.

Vehicle accidents cause injuries ranging from bumps and bruises to spinal injuries and traumatic brain injuries. As a driver, the best way to prevent accidents is to follow the speed limit, stay focused on the road, and avoid driving when you’re tired. It’s also a good idea to keep your seatbelt on and keep your vehicle maintained so its safety systems work properly.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are another common type of accident that leads to injuries in the US. For one thing, they can happen just about anywhere. They can also result from wet floors, damaged pavement, and inadequate lighting. Older adults, in particular, are often injured in slip, trip, and fall accidents.

Fractures, sprains, head injuries, and back injuries are all likely outcomes of slips and falls. Property owners can reduce accident risk by maintaining walkways and lighting and addressing hazards immediately. And whenever you’re walking, pay attention to your surroundings and exercise due care when you encounter hazardous conditions.

Burns and Fire-Related Injuries

Fires are another common source of accidental injuries in the US. Kitchen accidents and electrical malfunctions are two leading causes of fire-related injuries. Unfortunately, burns can leave victims scarred and cause debilitating long-term injuries. The best way to avoid burns is to wear proper protective equipment when you’re near heat sources or open flames.

Smoke inhalation is another consequence of fires that can cause injury. You can’t avoid it altogether if you’re inside a burning structure or near a large outdoor fire. However, you can often minimize smoke inhalation during a fire evacuation by staying low to the ground. Since smoke rises, you’ll often find breathable air there.

Workplace Injuries

On-the-job accidents are also a common cause of injuries in the US. Employees in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing often experience higher accident rates than those in other lines of work. However, office workers suffer accidental injuries, too, and plenty do every year.

Common workplace accidents include falls and machinery-related incidents. However, things like overexertion and repetitive stress injuries are also leading causes of workplace injuries. Employers and employees both play a role in preventing workplace injuries. Employers must enforce all applicable safety regulations, provide necessary protective equipment, address hazards immediately, and train employees in accident prevention. Employees must follow safety regulations and avoid negligent behavior that can lead to injury.

Sports and Recreational Activity Injuries

Participating in sports and other recreational activities is a great way to stay in shape. However, it can also lead to accidental injuries, and frequently does. Sports-related injuries include sprains and strains, but also more serious injuries like dislocations, fractures, and concussions.

The best ways to avoid sports-related injuries are well-known. First, always wear appropriate clothing and use the right safety equipment. You should also stretch thoroughly before any prolonged physical activity. Learning proper techniques for your chosen sport and practicing them often helps, too.

Poisoning and Toxic Chemical Exposure

While not as common as some of the other causes detailed here, poisoning and toxic chemical exposure do lead to significant numbers of accidental injuries in the US annually. They frequently happen due to accidental ingestion, skin contact, injection, and inhalation. If you’ve ever accidentally taken too many over-the-counter painkillers, you’ve come close to experiencing a poisoning accident.

It’s also worth knowing that poisonings can happen because of seemingly innocuous things like household cleaning products and houseplants. They can also happen because of known dangers like pesticides. Common causes of toxic exposures include gas leaks and carbon monoxide.

Poisoning and toxic exposure can lead to nausea and dizziness, and in severe cases, you may experience respiratory, cardiovascular, and nervous system complications. The best way to avoid such injuries is to store medications safely, follow manufacturer guidelines for cleaning product use, and keep carbon monoxide detectors functional.

When to Call a Lawyer

You may have noticed that many of the injury causes on this list can involve others. Distracted drivers and employers who ignore safety rules are among them. You may be able to seek compensation after you suffer an accidental injury if someone else contributed to it. However, it isn’t always easy to know when to call an experienced personal injury lawyer like those at Edwards Law Office, P.C.

Generally, if you’ve been in any serious accident that caused significant injury, you should contact a lawyer. Such incidents rarely involve just the person who suffered the injury. And if your accident forces you to deal with an insurance company, having a qualified lawyer on your side can be invaluable.

You should know, however, that waiting too long to contact a lawyer after an injury can harm your chances of receiving compensation. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to collect evidence to support your claim. So, it’s always best to consult a lawyer immediately to see if they think you have a case. A skilled lawyer will be able to tell you whether you may have a case fairly quickly.

The Bottom Line

Obviously, you should always make your best effort to avoid accidents and injuries. But with so many common hazards out there, it won’t always be possible. So, don’t hesitate to seek help from a lawyer if you’re ever hurt in an incident where others may be at fault. It’s your right to do so, and the compensation you receive can help you get back to your pre-injury life.