Personal Injury Statistics and Industry Trends
David Muñoz | November 14, 2024 | Personal Injury
When it comes to understanding how injuries tend to occur and the ways in which victims are compensated, the numbers provided by trends and similar statistics paint a vivid picture.
However, as vivid as it is, that picture is still a generalization. Each injury incident consists of its own special facts and circumstances. Understanding these factors will help provide a clearer interpretation of the data at hand.
Common Personal Injuries in California and Their Frequencies
All manner of personal injuries occur every day in the state of California, including the following:
Fatal Car Accidents
Auto accident fatalities are an unfortunate reality. In the Golden State alone, over 4,000 traffic deaths occurred in 2021, a figure that works out to over ten each day.
Wrongful death is the most serious type of personal injury. Victims’ family members deserve justice through compensation, as do those who suffer from the other types of personal injuries that commonly occur.
Non-Fatal Car Accident Injuries
The state’s statistics for non-fatal serious injuries are similarly alarming. Between 2016 and 2022, there was a significant uptick in serious injuries caused by car accidents, going from 13,258 to nearly 18,000.
That rise in accidents causing harm has led to a corresponding increase in the number of personal injury claims, and rightfully so. Car accident victims with severe injuries need significant compensation to cover their losses and pain.
Slip & Fall Accident Injuries
Slip and fall accidents occur in many contexts. Specifically, common causes of these incidents include the following:
- Snow and ice
- Spilled liquids
- Auto oil
Falls may also occur due to trips, which are generally caused by things such as:
- Debris
- Cords and cables
- Uneven walkways
- Defective stairs
Whatever the cause, falls often lead to serious injuries, especially when they occur from high places. Stumbling on a broken step and falling on level ground will likely cause a minor injury. But falling off of a raised deck, for instance, will likely cause severe harm.
According to the National Safety Council, over 46,000 people died as a result of falls at home and at work in 2022. Many of these fatalities were the result of trips and slips.
Dog Bites
In 2022, California emergency rooms saw a startling number of visits from dog bite victims. The unfortunate reality is that it is likely that dog bite rates will continue to increase as the rate of dog ownership rises.
Even when most dog owners are safe, there will still be tens of thousands of victims due to the number of dogs in society. In Los Angeles County alone, there are over five million privately owned dogs.
Fortunately, dog bite victims have an avenue toward compensation for their injuries. According to California law, dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their animals, regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous. Plaintiffs are, therefore, able to sue for damages without proving that the dog owner was negligent.
Injuries Caused By Negligent Security
Property and business owners have varying degrees of responsibility to protect visitors. For example, a hotel must reasonably protect its guests from security threats, such as violent criminals. Failure to do so can result in a negligent security lawsuit against the hotel.
Negligent security claims have historically been overwhelmingly based on violent occurrences, such as:
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
- Robbery
- False imprisonment
Common types of negligent acts found in these cases include a lack of surveillance cameras and barriers to entry, as well as untrained personnel.
Each California Personal Injury Case Is Unique
Statistics are helpful for gauging overall general trends in the personal injury world. However, each case is unique. Each car accident, slip and fall incident, and dog bite claim is a unique situation with its own set of specific facts and circumstances.
Contact the San Diego Personal Injury Law Firm of Mission Personal Injury Lawyers Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in San Diego or Chula Vista, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 777-5555
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032
We also serve the state of Texas. Contact our personal injury law office in El Paso for legal assistance today.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000
