11 percent

According to the Finity Group, only about 11 percent of disabilities are caused by accidents. Many people assume that the only way they could become unable to work is through a dramatic event—such as a serious car crash or a high-risk activity like skiing or diving. I have known and met people who have experienced these kinds of life-altering accidents, and their stories tend to stand out because they are shocking, emotional, and memorable. These are the stories that make headlines and often feel worthy of movies or news specials.

However, those cases do not represent the majority of disabilities. In everyday life, we encounter people who are doctors, teachers, accountants, and professionals from all walks of life who are living with disabilities that developed quietly and gradually. These stories rarely attract attention because they are not dramatic, even though they are far more common. The reality is that catastrophic accidents happen much less often than people believe. In fact, only about 11 percent of disabilities result from accidents, while the vast majority are caused by illness, chronic conditions, or other non-accidental factors. This disconnect between perception and reality often leads people to underestimate their own risk of becoming unable to work.