When you’re planning a long-distance trip, you typically have to choose between flying and driving. Many people choose to fly since it’s faster and more convenient to sit back and relax instead of focusing on the road. 

However, people often worry about the safety of flying. After all, the news only talks about the planes that crash, never the ones that land safely.

But is flying really all that dangerous? Let’s find out.

The Statistics on Airline Crashes

It may seem like planes are always crashing, but the facts are far less intimidating.  According to the 2021 IATA safety report, out of 25.7 million flights conducted in 2021, only 26 resulted in an accident. In total, 121 people died in airline crashes in 2021.

The IATA also found that a single person has a fatality risk rate of 0.23 from an airplane crash. This means that a person would need to take a single flight every day for 10,078 years before they experience a crash.

In reality, accidents rarely happen on planes because of the restrictions on major aircraft carriers. These restrictions and regulations are in place to limit the potential for a crash, and statistics show that they work. 

The Statistics on Automobile Crashes

In comparison, the risk of injury or fatality from an automobile collision is much higher for drivers and passengers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released statistics on the injuries and deaths from car crashes in 2020.

There were 38,824 people killed in car crashes in the U.S. in 2020, representing a fatality rate of 1.34 — almost six times higher than the rate of airplane fatalities. In addition, 2,282,015 suffered injuries in collisions. This resulted in an injury rate of 6.0, more than 26 times the fatality rate from airplane crashes. 

The facts are clear: Individuals have a much higher risk of injury or fatality from an automobile crash than when traveling via airplane.

Reduce Your Chances of a Car Accident Injury

Car crashes aren’t always preventable. While you can take specific actions to reduce your risk of an accident, you can’t prevent another driver from making a grave error or driving under the influence. 

To protect yourself as much as possible, obey the rules of the road when driving. Stick to the designated speed limit, avoid drinking before getting behind the wheel, and always wear your seat belt.

Distracted driving is a common cause of automobile accidents, so if you need to use your phone for directions, don’t hold it in your hands. Instead, attach it to a device you can easily view and ensure the phone provides verbal directions you can listen to.

If you have young children, properly restrain them in a car seat. Babies and toddlers tend to startle drivers if they start crying, so provide your children with a toy or show to watch before you get behind the wheel. 

If you’re driving in an unfamiliar area, examine a map before getting on the road. A map can help you understand what to expect as you go to your next destination. 

Finally, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage to protect you in the event of an accident. Your coverage should include a comprehensive package that provides for medical expenses if you need to visit a hospital or doctor after an accident.

Seek Advice from a Houston Personal Injury Attorney After an Accident 

If you’ve recently been in a car accident or aviation accident in Houston, TX, it’s wise to talk with an attorney. They can advise you on how to receive compensation for expenses like medical costs, lost wages, or property damage.

Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help

For more information, contact the Houston car accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.

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