As workers drove fewer miles in 2020, the number of injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents decreased, saving workers’ compensation insurers in the process. The National Council on Compensation insurance issued a research brief analyzing the trend that is a direct outgrowth of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the brief, “Overall, motor vehicle accident-related WC system costs in 2020 are projected to be reduced due to COVID-19 and therefore, potentially offset other COVID-19-related costs.”

Until the pandemic hit, motor vehicle accidents (MVA) had been on the rise – increasing by 5% from 2011 to 2016, as evidenced in a 2018 NCCI research paper. But since the end of March 2020, when 95% of the country was under lockdown, there have been decreases in the total number of miles driven and, since the ratio of accidents per 100 miles driven hasn’t changed over the years, it’s easy to predict a decline in MVA-related injuries, and subsequently the number of corresponding WC Claims.

When the three-month period from March to May 2020 is compared to the same period in 2019, decreases in miles driven ranged from 20 to 40%. The decline was less dramatic for June 2020, when miles driven were down 15% over 2019. The NCCI brief notes data showing that trucking mileage declined less than private passenger auto mileage during the pandemic.

While the decrease in MVA-related injuries is a bright spot for WC insurers, the number of miles driven decreased more than the number of MVA-related deaths.

The NCCI brief states that the long-term impact on Workers’ Compensation Motor Vehicle Accidents will depend upon numerous variables, most notably on whether the shift in prevalence of workforce telecommuting is more temporary or systemic.