Personal Injury Statistics by the States [Oct 2024 Update]

Alex

Oct 12, 2024 — 5 min read

Personal injury cases happen frequently across the U.S., with millions of non-fatal injuries reported each year. The number and types of injuries vary by state, depending on factors like population size, traffic, and local laws. In this post, we explore the latest personal injury statistics by state, looking at trends in car accidents, falls, workplace injuries.

Top Personal Injury Statistics (Editor's Picks)

Total Yearly Cost of All Injuries - $1,283.5 Billion
- Motor-Vehicle Crashes Cost - $481.2 Billion
- Work Injuries Cost - $472.8 Billion
- Work Injuries Cost - $167,0 Billion
- Public Injuries Cost - $195.8 Billion
128,285 - Personal Injury Lawyers in US
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2022, over 209,500 toy-related injuries were reported in U.S. emergency rooms, predominantly involving children
Over 2.6 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses reported in the U.S. in 2022, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Sex-related injuries are also tracked, with more than 3,800 annual ER visits resulting from incidents involving sexual activity or sex toys
In 2022, there were approximately 49,000 bicycle-related injuries
Sports and recreation-related injuries account for nearly 3.5 million emergency room visits each year in the U.S. Basketball, football, and cycling are among the leading activities for causing injuries.

Highest Payouts from the Personal Injury Cases

Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement – $206 Billion (1998): This is the largest settlement in U.S. history. It involved 46 states suing the four largest tobacco companies—Philip Morris, R.J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard—for public health costs related to smoking. The agreement included significant punitive damages and restrictions on cigarette advertising [Jimenez Mazzitelli Mordes].
$150 Billion for Burn Victim (1998): In Texas, an eight-year-old boy named Robert Middleton was assaulted and set on fire, resulting in severe burns over 99% of his body. The jury awarded $150 billion in punitive damages. However, this was largely symbolic, as the perpetrator could not pay such a sum [GJEL Accident Attorneys].
BP Oil Spill Settlement – $20 Billion (2010): This settlement came after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which caused significant environmental damage. Many personal injury claims were filed by individuals who suffered injuries or illnesses as a result of the spill [GJEL Accident Attorneys].
$4.9 Billion for Auto Defect Case (1999): A Los Angeles jury awarded this amount to a family injured in a car explosion caused by a faulty General Motors fuel tank. The settlement included $107.6 million in compensatory damages and $4.8 billion in punitive damages [Oasis Financial].
$4.69 Billion in Talcum Powder Cancer Case (2018): Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay this amount to 22 women who developed ovarian cancer after using the company’s talc-based products, which were found to contain asbestos [Oasis Financial].

Personal Injury Statistics Historical Trend

Non-Fatal Personal Injury Cases by the State

Fatal Personal Injury Statistics by the State

Legal Cost of one Personal Injury Case

The legal costs for a personal injury case can vary greatly. Several factors can affect these costs. These factors include how complex the case is, how serious the injury is, and the fee structure of the lawyer.

Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if they win the case. They earn a set percentage of the settlement or judgment. This way, their earnings depend on the case's outcome.

Key cost components:

Contingency Fees: The typical percentage that personal injury attorneys charge as part of their contingency fee agreement usually falls within the range of 33% to 40% of the total settlement or awarded sum. This fee structure serves as both an incentive for the attorney to work diligently on the case and as a risk mitigation strategy for the client, as it allows individuals to pursue legal action without upfront costs.
Court Costs: The financial obligations associated with court costs can encompass a variety of expenses that arise during the litigation process. These may include filing fees required to submit legal documents, expert witness fees necessary to provide specialized testimony, and various administrative costs. The total of these expenses can fluctuate widely, often falling within the range of $1,000 to $5,000 or potentially exceeding this amount, depending heavily on the case's complexity and the jurisdiction in which the case is being heard.
Litigation Expenses: In instances where the personal injury case escalates to the point of going to trial, the associated costs can increase dramatically. This escalation may lead to expenses that reach tens of thousands of dollars. These costs may include not only fees for expert testimony and rigorous investigations but also extended legal efforts required to effectively represent the client throughout the trial process.

In summary, the total legal cost incurred in a personal injury case can vary significantly, with estimates ranging from a few thousand dollars for simpler cases to amounts well exceeding $50,000 or even more for cases that are protracted and ultimately resolved at trial. This disparity is largely contingent upon whether the case is settled amicably before reaching trial or if it necessitates a more drawn-out legal battle in court.