Crashes, Falls, and Violence: What’s Putting American Women at the Greatest Risk of Spinal Cord Injury?

• Auto accidents rank first with an annual average of 3,284 spinal cord injuries among women.
• Falls rank second with an average of 1,736, followed by gunshot wounds in third with 671.5 injuries on average.
• Basketball/volleyball, football, and track and field recorded zero cases, the lowest among all causes analyzed.

A new study reveals auto accidents remain the leading cause of spinal cord injuries among women in the United States.

The research conducted by the Missouri-based personal injury law firm Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, analyzed data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) covering female patients from the years 2021 and 2024. The number of injuries were averaged to identify the most common causes impacting women nationwide.

Auto accidents top the list with an average of 3,284 spinal cord injuries among women, showing an increase from 3,214 cases in 2021 to 3,354 in 2024.

Falls rank second with an average of 1,736 spinal cord injuries among women, rising from 1,646 in 2021 to 1,826 in 2024.

Gunshot wounds rank third, averaging 671.5 spinal cord injuries among women, up from 648 in 2021 to 695 in 2024.

Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers commented,

“The results highlight an urgent reality for women in the U.S., where spinal cord injuries are often caused by preventable events such as auto accidents and falls.

“These injuries have lifelong consequences, not just physically, but also emotionally and financially. By understanding the leading causes, we can target prevention efforts more effectively and work toward reducing these numbers in the years ahead.”

Medical and surgical complications rank fourth with an average of 399 spinal cord injuries among women, climbing from 374 in 2021 to 424 in 2024.

Diving incidents rank fifth with an average of 174.5 spinal cord injuries among women, showing a slight rise from 170 in 2021 to 179 in 2024.

Motorcycle accidents (6th) had an annual average of 165 spinal cord injuries among women, followed by pedestrian incidents (7th) at 143.5, horseback riding (8th) at 89, bicycle accidents (9th) at 80.5, and person-to-person contact (10th) at 74.

Table for Extended Results:

The study was conducted by Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, an experienced law firm specializing in vehicle accident representation, handling everything from initial claim evaluation and medical care coordination to aggressive negotiations with insurance companies.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) covering female patients from the years 2021 and 2024. The number of injuries were averaged to identify the most common causes impacting women nationwide.