State-Specific Costs of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths

Over 30,000 people are killed in crashes each year in the U.S.

Over 30,000 people are killed in motor vehicle crashes each year in the United States. In 2013, crash deaths resulted in $44 billion in medical and work loss costs in addition to the immeasurable burden on the victims’ families and friends.

The fact sheets below highlight the cost of deaths from motor vehicle crashes and show which age groups and types of road users account for the largest portion of these costs in each state. Within these fact sheets the CDC also makes recommendations of proven strategies that could strengthen each state’s motor vehicle injury prevention efforts, and save both lives and money. For example, rates of seat belt use are 9 percentage points higher in primary enforcement states compared to secondary enforcement states.1 Such an increase is important since seat belt use reduces the risk of death by about half.2 Many evidence-based strategies, including the primary enforcement of seat belt laws for all seating positions, can significantly reduce the number of injuries and deaths from motor vehicle crashes and the related costs.

Take a look at the fact sheets below to find strategies specific to each state.