While researchers have not been able to discern the reason for the rise in death rate caused by unintentional injuries, it is clear that prescription drug poisoning was responsible for accidental deaths in persons between the ages of 15 and 64, and falls for those 45 and older.  This research indicated that the incidence of death due to prescription drug poisoning in white women between the ages of 45 and 64 rose significantly during this time period.  White men of the same age group experienced a much lower incidence of poisoning, at a 137% increase, while in women a 230% increase was seen.

In recent years, addiction to prescription drugs has resulted in more fatalities than deaths from illegal drugs like cocaine.  Representatives of the Bloomberg School Center for Injury Research and Policy are calling for tougher restrictions on the availability of prescription drugs due to a high incidence of abuse.  According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past decade prescriptions written for opioid analgesics have risen at an alarming rate.  This information was gathered from the CDC’s Web Based Injury Statistics Query & Reporting System.

Accidental falls have also become cause for concern, and studies indicate that the death rates from these types of accidents vary tremendously based on age and gender.  Of those 65 and older, the risk of death due to falls rose by 48% in while women, and 38% in white men.  However, in blacks there was no significant change in the number of deaths due to falls.

On the bright side, deaths caused by fires and burns have decreased dramatically.  Motorcycle deaths accounted for the biggest rise in motor vehicle accidents, with the rates rising sharply in Hispanic males ages 15 to 24, and white males ages 45 to 64.  In fact, the increase in Hispanic motor cycle deaths increased by more than 100%.

The Reeves Law Group is dedicated to the representation of those involved in personal injury accidents.   Consider contacting a San Diego car accident attorney to help represent your case. If you or a loved on have been the victim of an accident caused by the negligence of another party, contact us for a free consultation.