What Are the Top Causes of Accidental Deaths?

Poisoning, falls, and motor vehicle crashes are the top causes of accidental deaths in the United States, according to research from the National Safety Council (NSC).

If you lose a family member in a fatal accident that occurs for any of these reasons, you could have grounds for filing a wrongful death claim or lawsuit against any liable parties.

Meet with a wrongful death lawyer in Atlanta if you’re debating whether to request compensation from anyone responsible for the loss of your family member.

Your attorney empathizes with you and your loved ones during this difficult time. They will explain your legal options in depth. If warranted, your attorney will pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

What You Need to Know About the Primary Causes of Accidental Deaths in the United States

Per the most recent available data from the NSC on the top 10 preventable injuries in the United States, poisoning, falls, and motor vehicle crashes represented 86% of all preventable deaths in a given year.

Below are additional details about these three leading causes of accidental deaths in the U.S.

Poisoning

The NSC reported an eightfold increase in the number of preventable poisoning deaths in the United States between 1999 and 2023.

It also noted that 97% of these deaths were linked to drug poisonings, also referred to as drug overdoses, and that more than three out of four such fatalities involved the use of opioids.

Falls

NSC research indicates that falls make up 21% of all preventable injury-related deaths in the United States. For working adults, falls can be the leading cause of death, depending on the industry in which they work.

Motor Vehicle Crashes

Based on the NSC’s latest data, nearly 45,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in a given year. However, the NSC pointed out that the number of motor vehicle-related fatalities has declined recently.

The loss of a family member in an accident that occurs for any of the reasons mentioned above has the potential to impact you and your loved ones for the rest of your lives. Speak with a lawyer with wrongful death case experience about your tragic loss. Your lawyer will represent and advocate for you if you proceed with a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.

What to Do if You Lose a Family Member in a Fatal Accident

Losing a family member in a fatal accident is emotionally taxing for you and your loved ones. Taking legal action against a liable party may not be a consideration in the immediate aftermath of your loss.

Yet, submitting a claim or lawsuit is an opportunity to receive compensation that will help you and your family stay afloat financially as you cope with your loss.

Wrongful death lawyers can teach you about the causes of accidental deaths and determine your eligibility for filing a claim or lawsuit. They will also look at your quantifiable and subjective losses as they calculate your compensatory damages.

If you request economic and non-economic damages, your lawyer will position you to get the compensation you deserve.

Your attorney knows the problems that can come with negotiating an auto insurance settlement with the insurer of the motorist liable for your family member’s fatal car crash and similar issues that you could face. They will address these problems and make sure that your legal rights and those of your family are protected throughout your case proceedings.

Who Is Responsible for the Leading Causes of Accidental Deaths?

Product manufacturers, property owners, and motorists are among those responsible for the top causes of preventable deaths in the United States.

Your wrongful death lawyer will investigate the accident that led to the loss of your loved one to identify any responsible parties. From here, your attorney can file your claim or lawsuit.

Your lawyer will focus their argument on negligence. They want to prove that a liable party acted carelessly or recklessly and, due to this, caused your loved one’s fatal accident. As part of your attorney’s efforts to achieve your desired case results, they can utilize photos and videos from the scene of your loved one’s accident, witness statements, and other proof in their argument.

In Georgia, a modified comparative negligence rule applies to wrongful death cases. With this, if your family member was 1-49% liable for their fatal accident, you can still receive damages in a wrongful death lawsuit, but these will be reduced by their percentage of fault. If your family member was 50% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering damages.

The Bottom Line on the Top Causes of Accident Fatalities

Sadly, accidents are sometimes fatal. If someone acted negligently and is responsible for your family member’s fatal accident, hold them accountable. Partner with wrongful death attorneys, and they will seek justice and damages for you.

John Foy & Associates is a Georgia law firm with over 350 years of combined experience. Our team can give you information about the primary causes of accidental fatalities in the United States.

If you want help with a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, we’re here for you. To learn more, schedule a free case consultation.