Car crashes in the United States result in high costs that occur in several key areas:
- Medical costs: Expenses for emergency medical services, hospitalizations, and ongoing medical treatment for injuries from crashes.
- Lost productivity: Economic losses from time lost at work due to injuries or fatalities.
- Legal and court costs: Fees related to litigation and legal processes following crashes.
- Insurance expenses: Costs of claims and administrative costs borne by insurance companies and drivers.
- Emergency services: Costs for police, fire, and ambulance services responding to crashes.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for vehicles and other damaged property.
- Workplace losses: Economic impact of injured workers unable to work.
- Congestion costs: Costs related to traffic delays, increased fuel consumption, and environmental impact due to crash-induced congestion.
Additionally, the total economic cost is much higher when factoring in the loss of quality of life caused by injuries and fatalities. In 2019, motor vehicle crashes cost Americans $340 billion in direct economic costs, and when quality of life losses are included, the total approaches $1.4 trillion. Each fatality incurs an average comprehensive cost of over $11 million, including intangible losses. These costs represent the tangible and intangible financial burdens that crashes impose on individuals, families, businesses, and society at large in the United States.