A Look at Accidental Deaths in the United States

Every year, thousands of people in the United States lose their lives in accidents, including residents of California. Odds are strong that you’ve at least one person in your life that has succumbed to some type of accidental death. Thus, having a clear picture of the prevalence of accidents and accidental deaths in the United States can be illuminating.

Ranking of Causes of Death in the United States

The 10 most common causes of death in the United States are:

  1. Heart disease
  2. Cancer
  3. COPD
  4. Accidents
  5. Stroke
  6. Alzheimer’s Disease
  7. Diabetes
  8. Pneumonia
  9. Kidney Disease
  10. Suicide

The Most Common Accidental Deaths in the United States

Automobile Accident Deaths

Over 26 percent of all accidental deaths in the United States are the result of automobile accidents. Typically, between 35,000 and 40,000 people in the United States are killed in car accidents annually. This includes approximately 8,000 teenage drivers and about 1,600 children under the age of 15.

Slip and Fall Accident Deaths

Fatal slip and fall accident deaths are in close competition with car accidents for being the number one cause of accidental deaths in the United States each year. About 24 percent of accidental deaths in the country are the result of a slip and fall accident.

Slip and fall accidents commonly happen in places of business, residences, and workplaces. A notable percentage of slip and fall accidents that happen in homes are not immediately discovered. These deaths oftentimes involve older individuals or others who live alone and end up being classified as unattended deaths.

Unintentional Poisoning Deaths

About 30 percent of all accidental deaths are the result of unintentional poisoning. Classified within the unintentional poisoning as those deaths caused by drug overdoses. These include overdoses of prescription medications as well as illegal mind-altering substances.

Drowning Accident Deaths

Drowning represents another major category of accidental death in California and across the United States. Sadly, a considerable percentage of drowning deaths involve children, particularly young children. These deaths oftentimes occur when a young person enters a pool that lacks proper adult supervision.

Defective Product Deaths

Another category of accidental death involves defective deaths. Every year, people of all ages are seriously injured and even killed as a result of defective products. Defective products can include everything from children’s toys to medical devices.

Burn Fatal Injuries

People succumb to fatal injuries every year that are the result of burns. Burns that cause fatal injuries are caused by three sources:

  • Fire
  • Chemical
  • Electrical

Firearm Accidental Deaths

Most deaths associated with firearms involve the intentional shooting of a person or suicide. With that said, annual gun deaths breakdown approximately as follows:

  • 21,000 suicides
  • 11,000 homicides
  • 500 accidental deaths

Traumatic Accidental Deaths and Biohazard Cleanup

Certain types of traumatic accident deaths result in the need for what is known as biohazard cleanup or biohazard remediation. For example, a person might be using a piece of power equipment at his or her home or place of work. For some reason, that individual loses control over that equipment and ends up causing his or her self grievous bodily harm resulting in death.

In such circumstances, the need may arise for biohazard cleanup or biohazard remediation. This is a multi-faceted process that includes:

  • Accident scene cleanup
  • Sanitization
  • Deodorization

The ultimate objective of biohazard remediation in the aftermath of a traumatic accident is the restoration of a residence or other scene of a fatal accident to the condition it was in before the death.

Undiscovered Accidental Deaths and Biohazard Cleanup

Sadly, there are a considerable number of accidental deaths that occur each year, incidents that are not immediately discovered. These are known as unattended deaths or undiscovered deaths. An accidental unattended death is not only one in which no one else is around at the time of the incident save for the victim, but the remains of the deceased individual are also not found for what can prove to be an extended period of time. The amount of time that might elapse can prove to be days, weeks, or even months. 

This type of accidental death can call for extensive biohazardous remediation. Due to the nature of the human decomposition process, the level and extent of biohazard contamination can be significant.

Conclusion

In addition to needing assistance from a biohazard remediation service in the case of some types of accidental deaths, legal assistance may also be necessary. The reality is that a considerable percentage of fatal accidents are caused by the negligence of a third party. When a third party caused an accident, losses, and costs associated with the accident may become the financial responsibility of that negligent individual. This may include the costs associated with biohazard cleanup or remediation which may be necessary for the aftermath of a fatal accident.