When many people get injured, it happens close to home. Studies have looked at accidental injuries in general, and it makes sense that many people would suffer such injuries at home. It is where they spend most of their time, so someone who experiences a slip-and-fall accident is likely to be in their house, for example.
But interestingly enough, the same trend holds true for motor vehicle crashes. In one study, a full 77% of them happened within 10 miles of a person’s house. People are often concerned about an accident when they are driving in a new place and on unfamiliar roads, but these statistics show that the greatest risk they face is actually when they are close to home.
3 potential reasons
There are a variety of reasons why this occurs, starting with the fact that most people drive frequently near their house. If someone has to commute 15 miles to work, for instance, the
majority of that commute is still within 10 miles of their house.
Additionally, drivers on roads they are familiar with may be complacent or distracted. They are so used to driving in those areas that they are not fully alert or paying attention.
It can also be helpful to look at drunk driving accidents. Many people would never drive a substantial distance while intoxicated, but they will risk it and try to drive a short distance, especially if they are going home. Some studies have found that the average trip taken by a drunk driver is 9.7 miles.
Have you suffered injuries?
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver or anyone else close to your home, you may deserve substantial financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages and related costs.