Fatal Car Accidents are on the Rise

Every year, more and more people get behind the wheel and start driving. For many, getting your driving license is a right of passage. In many ways, a license is necessary to function in modern-day society. Sadly, with more drivers on the road, comes more risks. And for the past few years, we have seen the effects of this. The National Safety Council estimated that over 40,200 people died in car accidents in 2016. That’s over a 6% rise in car fatalities from the year before. In 2015, we saw a 7% increase in fatal car accidents. That’s over 13% more car fatalities in two years. This shocking increase is the most significant jump in more than 50 years.

So what’s causing this massive increase? That’s hard to give a definite answer to, but that hasn’t stop officials from speculating. Some blame a lax in enforcing laws, like drunk driving, speeding, and seatbelt laws. Some states do not even consider the lack of wearing a seatbelt to be an offense. This is especially concerning, given that half of the victims in deadly accidents were not wearing a seatbelt. Another issue is drunk driving, which accounts for a third of all deadly car accidents.

According to research at the University of Alabama, speeding might be one of the biggest factors. David Brown, a researcher at UoA says that while crashes, in general, were up 5%, fatalities were over 25%. In an interview, Brown said “I think speeding is the No. 1 problem. There are times of the day when we only have one or two troopers on duty in a county so that you can speed, and there is no one there to deter it.”

We also see a significant increase in fatal car crashes around the holidays. July 4th and New Years, particularly stick out. Nearly half of the drivers in crashes during these holidays have alcohol levels over 0.08%. This is above the legal limit in most states. Another holiday you are more likely to be in an accident is April 20th. The unofficial holiday where legal marijuana sales are at their highest.

How Can We Stop This Increase In Fatal Crashes?

The National Transportation Safety Board has a few ideas on how to decrease some of these fatalities over the next 30 years. One of these plans involves the assumption that self-driving cars will continue to improve, and soon take over the road. This would leave less room for human error, and significantly reduce the chances of collisions in general, as well as less-lethal accidents. More controversial plans involve more states passing laws to require seatbelts at all times, smart ignitions and locks to keep drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel, and banning all cell phone use for drivers.

Wondering the Worth of Your Personal Injury Case?

After a personal injury accident, your top priority should be recovering. Not trying to figure out which damages you may be eligible for and determining the value of your claim on your own. Consult a Texas personal injury lawyer from Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers.

To find out how much your personal injury claim is worth, contact The Law Giant right away. You can count on us to investigate your situation and ensure you secure the fair compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case, contact us today at (866) 523-4167.