What is the most common type of unintentional injury that leads to death?

The most common type of unintentional injury that leads to death is poisoning. This encompasses various forms of exposure to toxic substances, including drug overdoses, which have seen a significant rise in recent years, particularly with the opioid crisis. Poisoning can occur accidentally through ingestion, inhalation, or skin contact with harmful substances, and these incidents often lead to fatal outcomes due to the rapid onset of illness it can cause. Trends in public health data consistently show that poisoning-related incidents, especially those involving prescription medications and illicit drugs, are among the leading causes of unintentional injury deaths.

In contrast, while falls, motor vehicle accidents, and drowning are serious concerns and contribute significantly to unintentional injury statistics, they do not currently surpass poisoning in terms of mortality rates. Falls are particularly prevalent among older adults, motor vehicle accidents are a major issue for younger individuals, and drowning is significant for children. However, the scope and severity of poisoning incidents, particularly those associated with substance use disorders, have led to it being recognized as the leading cause of unintentional injury fatalities in recent statistics.