Annual Cost of Fatal Traffic Crashes in Colorado Totals Nearly $650 Million

Deadly auto accidents in Colorado cost the state approximately $647 million each year.¹ While about $6 million (or roughly 1 percent) of these costs are associated with medical expenses, around $641 million (or more than 99 percent) of these costs stem from lost productivity. Although the economic costs are high the greatest harms and losses – the loss of loved ones and the life-long impact on family and friends left behind – is incalculable.

Breaking Down the Costs

Let’s take a closer look at these numbers. Here’s the breakdown by type of Colorado traffic collision each year:

• Deadly motorcycle accidents, totaling about $94 million
• Fatal motor vehicle crashes, costing about $90 million
• Deadly pedestrian accidents, totaling about $86 million
• Fatal bicycle accidents, costing about $22 million

The human toll is horrific. In terms of the demographics of the victims of these fatal traffic accidents in Colorado, about:

• 55 percent include teens and young adults (i.e., those under 25), costing roughly $353 million annually
• 37 percent include middle-age adults (i.e., those between 25 and 65), totaling about $239 million each year
• 5 percent include children, costing roughly $34 million annually
• 3 percent include elderly adults (i.e., those over 65), totaling about $21 million each year.

Recommendations for Reducing the Costs & Incidence of Fatal Traffic Accidents in Colorado

The above findings are shocking  – both in terms of the financial and human costs. It should come as no surprise that about 94 percent of motor vehicle accidents in the U.S. are caused by careless drivers. ²

These careless drivers are making poor choices that result in death and destruction. Many collisions – including deadly traffic crashes – could be prevented if negligent motorists were simply careful when behind the wheel.

What can be done? Some common sense recommendations that could prevent deadly traffic crashes in Colorado include:

• Conducting more sobriety checkpoints and enhancing the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) for convicted drunk drivers
• Enforcing primary seatbelt laws for all vehicle occupants
• Instituting child passenger safety policies that mandate safety seat use until children are least 8 years old
• Implementing a graduated driver licensing program for teen motorists.

Contact Littleton & Englewood Attorney D.J. Banovitz

When traffic collisions result in permanent or deadly injuries, survivors – including the families who have lost loved ones to fatal auto crashes – should know that they are not alone. Although no sum of money can ever make up for their profound losses, contacting Littleton & Englewood Attorney D.J. Banovitz can be pivotal to pursuing justice – and to securing the financial support to which survivors are entitled.

To discuss your situation and get honest answers to your questions, contact Attorney D.J. Banovitz by calling (303) 300-5060 or by sending our firm an email via the contact form on this page.

From offices based in Englewood, Colorado, Attorney D.J. Banovitz provides the highest quality representation to injured people throughout Arapahoe County, Denver County, Douglas County and the state of Colorado.

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1: According to the latest reports from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

2: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)