Fatal Accidents Decreased in 2017
Based on the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we now know that motor vehicle deaths decreased slightly in 2017. Based on preliminary data, the agency said it appears that this downward trend continued for the first 6 months of 2018.
If your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle crash in South Carolina, pursue justice with the help of our lawyers. For a complimentary consultation, please call Whetstone Perkins & Fulda.
Deadly Auto Accidents Down After Two Years of Increases
Last year, 37,133 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States. That number is down 1.8 percent from 2016, and it means there were 673 fewer deaths than in 2016. While the reduction is certainly a step in the right direction, we also want to acknowledge that each and every one of these deaths is a tragedy. Families are forever changed by these losses, and lives are ended by means entirely preventable.
The drop follows two years of fatal accident increases:
- 6.5 percent increase from 2015 to 2016
- 8.4 percent increase from 2014 to 2015
There has been an overall downward trend in fatal accidents over the past four decades, which is part of why the two large increases in recent years were troubling. Hopefully, 2018 will continue in the trend of reductions.
Other Items from the NHTSA Report
The recently released data included the following:
- Pedestrian fatalities down 2 percent
- The death rate per 100 million vehicle miles driven fell 2.5 percent
- In South Carolina, there were 988 auto accident fatalities in 2018, which was 32 fewer deaths than 2016
- In South Carolina, 32 percent of the fatalities were the result of crashes involving alcohol as a factor, which was down 8.2 percent from 2016
- In the entire U.S., 29 percent of the crash deaths were caused by alcohol-involved accidents
These reductions are a good sign. We can all do our part to prevent such tragedies. Remember to stay alert while you are driving and to eliminate as many distractions as possible (i.e. texting, breaking up fights between children in the back seat, adjusting GPS navigation). Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you feel buzzed or sleepy, or if you know you’ve had a few too many, arrange alternative transportation.
Causes of Deadly Crashes
These accidents have many causes. Some of them are single-vehicle, meaning only one car crashes. An example is a car that rolls over, killing the driver but not involving other vehicles on the road. Some of the accidents involved two or more vehicles. Some were caused by weather, but many (more than 94 percent by recent NHTSA estimates) are caused by human error, such as:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Drugged/impaired driving
- Reckless driving
If the accident that took your loved one’s life was caused by someone else’s negligence, or carelessness, then you may have a claim to pursue compensation above and beyond any current settlement offers. We know that no amount of money can undo what has been done to your family. But this type of case does provide a way to hold the responsible party accountable and to compensate you for the expenses you may be facing, such as burial costs, end-of-life medical bills, funeral expenses, etc.
Free Consultation with an Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, or if a family member was killed in a crash in South Carolina, then you may have a case to pursue compensation and justice under the representation of our lawyers. For a free case review, please call Whetstone Perkins & Fulda. After hearing about your case, we will let you know what your options are and answer any questions you have.
