Accidents, also called unintentional injuries, are the number three cause of death in the United States. Here are the basics.
- About 31 million Americans visit the emergency room annually for accidents such as concussions, fractures and sprains and strains.
- Drug overdose, falls, fires and auto collision contribute to the most fatal accidents, with the first two being the most common causes of accidental death.
- In 2014, nearly 10,000 U.S. people died in drunk driving crashes and nearly 300,000 were injured. Young people under age 26 account for the highest number of drunk drivers.
- Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties with non-functioning smoke alarms—or no smoke alarms at all.
