Researchers from Johns Hopkins University say that the death rate from unintentional injury in the U.S. rose 11 percent from 1999 to 2005.

They also said in a news release that some groups saw bigger jumps. For example, white women between 45 and 64 years old saw a 230 percent increase in poisonings. The rate for white men jumped 137 percent during the same time.

Also, the death rate for falls went up 38 percent for white men and 48 percent for white women older than 65, but did not change for black people of either sex.

"The large increases in the number of deaths attributable to poisoning and falls underscore the need for more research on the specific circumstances involved," said study co-author Susan P. Baker. "While we don't know the cause behind the recent increase in falls mortality, it appears that the increase in poisonings is largely due to prescription drugs."

The study was based on data from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting system.

Suffocation, drowning, fires and car crashes were other leading causes of accidental death.