USDOT Releases 2016 Fatal Traffic Crash Data

Unfortunately, despite the many different advancements in safety technology and legislators’ efforts to cut down on vehicle injuries and fatalities, the U.S. Department of Transportation has recently released information about fatal traffic crash data from 2016.

Fatal accidents claim the lives of far too many people each year because of human error. Some of the top causes of accidents that may have otherwise been avoided include drunk driving, distracted driving, reckless behavior, and drowsy driving. Many of the accidents caused by human error could lead to an injury claim.

According to the study, which looks at data from all 50 states in addition to District of Columbia, more than 37,000 lives were lost on roadways throughout the United States in 2016.

This represents the second consecutive year that traffic fatalities have been on the rise and the 2016 data is a 5.6 % increase from the 2015 calendar year. While drowsy driving and distracted driving fatalities decrease, deaths associated with other kinds of reckless behavior such as not wearing a seatbelt, alcohol impairment or speeding were on the rise. More than one-third of the year to year increase in U.S. traffic fatalities were tied to pedestrian and motorcyclists’ deaths. In any accident that leads to catastrophic injuries or fatalities, the injured individuals or surviving family members may be entitled to pursue an injury claim and to recover compensation. No family should have to find themselves in the position of trying to figure out legal rights and navigating these cases on their own. However, having an experienced attorney to assist you with this process is strongly recommended and can give you a better perspective of over what is involved in protecting your rights.

As traffic fatalities continue to climb, the assistance provided by a knowledgeable and dedicated personal injury firm can be a major benefit to affected families and victims.

The team of committed personal injury lawyers at CourtLaw are here for you during the time you need us most- call us at 866-632-4211 or fill out our convenient online contact form to get started on your case today.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney/client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.