Final answer:
The leading cause of unintentional deaths has shifted over time from motor vehicle accidents to drug overdoses by 2014, but specifics can vary depending on the context, such as age groups and whether overdoses are included as unintentional. Motor vehicle accidents and falls are significant causes, with drowning being notable among young children.
Step-by-step explanation:
The leading cause of unintentional deaths has changed over time. While in 1999, motor vehicle crashes were amongst the leading causes, by 2014, accidental deaths attributed to drug overdoses, particularly from heroin and opioid painkillers, had surpassed those from car crashes. When examining injury-related deaths, head injuries and falls play a significant role. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 30% of injury-related deaths are due to head injuries, with falls being a common cause. It is also important to highlight that accidental drowning is the second leading cause of death in children aged 12 years and younger in the United States.
However, if we look at data specifically on the leading causes of unintentional deaths separated from intentional overdoses , motor vehicle accidents and falls rank highly. It is also essential to differentiate between various age groups and contexts, as the leading causes can vary significantly. For instance, drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in young children, whereas falls are more prevalent among the elderly. Thus, without additional context specifying a time frame and whether or not drug overdoses are included as unintentional, it is challenging to provide a definitive answer.