The United States traffic accident fatalities in 2021 were at its highest level in 16
years as more drivers returned to the road after a marked drop in driving that occurred with the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Wall Street Journal reports that according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly 43,000 people died in car accidents in 2021, which was an 11% increase over the prior year and the highest number of traffic deaths since 2005. This 11% year-over-year increase is also the largest percentage rise ever recorded by the NHTSA.
Fatalities Increase Across the Board
The increase in traffic accident deaths came as drivers increased their travel post-pandemic. Vehicle miles traveled by drivers in 2021 increased by about 325 billion miles — also an 11% increase compared with 2020, the Federal Highway Administration stated. Fatal accidents involving multiple vehicles increased by 16% in 2021 compared to a year ago and fatalities on urban roadways also rose 16%, officials said. Pedestrian accidents rose 13% and bicycle accident deaths increased by 5%.
Speed-related crashes that resulted in deaths as well as fatalities in crashes involving alcohol both increased by 5%. The number of people who died without wearing seatbelts increased by 3%. Safety advocates say that an increase in reckless driving including speeding and alcohol-impaired driving erased more than a decade’s worth of progress in reducing traffic accidents, injuries and deaths. Traffic deaths for people aged 35 to 44 increased by 15%, the largest increase of any age group, officials said. Also, men were more likely to die in car accidents compared to women, the statistics show.
Negligence (carelessness) in Car Accidents
These statistics show that injuries and fatalities due to car accidents are surging as more drivers continue to operate recklessly and without regard for public safety. If you have been injured in a car accident, you would need to prove that your injury was caused by the defendant (the other driver) who was negligent (careless) at the time of the incident. There are many pieces of evidence that can help you prove negligence (carelessness) in a car accident:
Eyewitness testimony: One key piece of evidence is when witnesses corroborate your account and state that the other party was negligent (careless).
Black boxes or event data recorders: These devices can provide a lot of information about an accident such as the speed of the vehicle right before the crash, whether the driver had applied the brakes, etc. These are important pieces of information that can help establish fault and liability in your case.
Police reports: When police officers include crucial details in their reports such as who was at fault, that can help you show evidence of negligence (carelessness).
Images from the accident scene: More and more homes and businesses are installing video cameras on their properties to protect themselves from vandals and criminals. These cameras are also providing valuable information when it comes to documenting car accidents and how they occurred. Accident scene photos and videos can also provide crucial evidence about a car accident.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
Victims who have been injured in car accidents may be able to seek compensation for damages including, but not limited to, medical expenses, lost income and benefits, hospitalization, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, past and future pain and suffering, etc. Families of deceased accident victims may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for damages such as lost future income, funeral costs, medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident caused by a negligent or careless driver, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options, and also fight hard to recover just compensation for you.
For over 50 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims. Our law firm recently recovered $5,600,000 for a bicyclist who was hit by a van, and $2,550,000 for another victim of a truck accident, and $3,000,000 for a pedestrian who was hit by a car, and the full $1,000,000 insurance policy for a pedestrian who was hit by a truck, and $4,625,000 for a driver who was in a car and was hit by a van, and $2,500,000 for a man who fell through an improperly secured hole. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury and/or medical malpractice cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
Other TOLL FREE phone numbers for us are:
1-800-RADIO-LAW, 1-888-WYPADEK, OR 1-800-LAS-LEYES
Please visit us at: www.WORK4YOULAW.com
Source: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-traffic-deaths-surged-to-a-16-year-high-in-2021-11652809331