Although car accidents can happen to anyone, certain drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes than others. Risk factors like age, behavior, fatigue, and distractions behind the wheel all increase the likelihood of a serious motor vehicle accident. Understanding which drivers are most likely to be in a car accident can help you recognize danger on the road, and hold reckless drivers accountable when their negligence causes injuries or fatalities.
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Teen Drivers
Teenagers are among the most high-risk drivers on the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens. Drivers aged 16 to 19 are three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than drivers over 20, per mile driven.
In Illinois alone, 71 teens died in car accidents in 2012. The risk is highest during the first few months of getting a license. Inexperience, peer pressure, speeding, distracted driving, and underestimating dangerous conditions all play a role.
Young drivers also have the highest rate of speeding-related crashes. A recent survey showed that 11% of drivers aged 16 to 20 had been involved in at least one crash involving speeding in the past five years, compared to 4% of the general driving population.
Drunk Drivers
Driving under the influence continues to be one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that drunk driving contributes to nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic-related deaths annually.
Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and reduces coordination, even well before a person feels intoxicated. In 2022, over 13,000 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.
Despite increased awareness and legal consequences, too many drivers still get behind the wheel after drinking. These drivers endanger everyone on the road, especially at night, on weekends, and during holidays.
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is another major factor in motor vehicle crashes, and it’s getting worse. The NHTSA estimates that over 3,000 people are killed each year in crashes involving distracted drivers, and hundreds of thousands more are injured.
Texting while driving is especially dangerous. Typing a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds—enough time to cover a football field while driving 55 mph. Research shows drivers who text are 23 times more likely to crash than those who are fully focused.
Other distractions include eating, using GPS, adjusting music, and dealing with passengers. Even hands-free phone use has been shown to impair cognitive function behind the wheel.
Speeding Drivers
Speeding is a factor in approximately one-third of all fatal crashes in the United States. In 2021 alone, 11,000 people died in speeding-related accidents, according to NHTSA data.
Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases both the severity and likelihood of a collision. Speeding is especially dangerous in bad weather, heavy traffic, or near pedestrians and cyclists.
Surveys show that while almost half of drivers believe speeding is a serious problem, 1 in 5 admit to trying to get to their destination “as fast as they can.”
When reckless drivers treat the road like a racetrack, innocent people pay the price.
Fatigued or Drowsy Drivers
Sleep deprivation is a silent but deadly factor in many serious car accidents. According to the CDC, staying awake for 18 hours impairs driving ability as much as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05%. After 24 hours, it’s equivalent to 0.10%, which is higher than the legal limit in all 50 states.
Fatigue affects reaction time, decision-making, and attention span—critical functions for safe driving. Drowsy driving causes an estimated 100,000 crashes and over 1,500 deaths annually, though experts believe the actual numbers may be significantly higher due to underreporting.
Commercial drivers, shift workers, and parents of young children are especially at risk for driving while sleep-deprived.
New Parents
New parents often drive on dangerously low levels of sleep and are more prone to distracted driving. A study conducted in 2013 revealed that 10% of new mothers reported being involved in a crash with their baby in the car—three times the national average for all drivers.
More than two-thirds of new parents say they have trouble focusing on a single task after having a baby. The same study found that:
- 78% of moms talk on the phone while driving with a child in the car
- 26% text or email behind the wheel
- New moms average only 5 hours and 20 minutes of sleep per night—less than commercial truck drivers
The combination of sleep deprivation, multitasking, and emotional stress can create a perfect storm for dangerous or even fatal driving behavior.
Elderly Drivers
Older adults are often more cautious behind the wheel, but age-related declines in vision, hearing, and reaction time can make driving more hazardous. Drivers aged 75 and older have higher crash death rates per mile driven than middle-aged drivers, due in part to increased physical vulnerability.
Medical conditions like dementia, arthritis, and diabetes—as well as medications that cause drowsiness—can impair driving ability. Many older drivers also avoid driving at night or in heavy traffic, which limits their experience with those conditions and increases the likelihood of an accident when exposure does occur.
Commercial Drivers Under Pressure
While professional drivers are trained and licensed, long hours and unrealistic deadlines can increase crash risk for commercial drivers. Fatigue, tight schedules, and distractions (such as onboard devices) all contribute to thousands of truck accidents each year.
When trucking companies cut corners or pressure drivers to ignore hours-of-service regulations, it can lead to catastrophic consequences for everyone on the road.
Have You Been Injured by a Negligent Driver in Illinois?
Whether you were hit by a drunk driver, a distracted motorist, or someone who simply shouldn’t have been behind the wheel, you have the right to seek compensation. The Chicago car accident attorneys at Ankin Law are committed to helping injury victims get the justice they deserve.
We’ve recovered millions on behalf of clients throughout Illinois who’ve been harmed by negligent or reckless drivers. We understand the real-world impact of auto accidents—lost income, medical bills, chronic pain, and trauma—and we’ll fight to hold the at-fault driver accountable.
Call Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation today. You don’t pay unless we win.
