According to the National Safety Council, the nation’s roadways are becoming more dangerous for motorists. It used data from January to June of 2015 that said 19,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents during that time period. This was an increase of 14 percent from the first six months of 2014. There were also 2.3 million serious injuries in the first half of 2015.
The number of serious injuries rose 30 percent from the first half of 2014, and costs related to accidents and injuries totaled $152 billion. Costs included in that total consisted of lost wages, medical bills and property damage. One proposed culprit for the uptick was lower gas prices, which meant drivers were putting in more miles on the nation’s roadways.
A representative from the NSC said that there is a historical correlation between a strong economy and a rise in traffic fatalities. This may be an accurate assumption as traffic deaths numbered 44,000 in 2007, dropped off during the Great Recession and stayed under 40,000 a year as the economy recovered through 2014. Figures seem to indicate that the annual total of fatalities could continue to grow.
Those who have been injured in a car accident may be entitled to financial compensation for their injuries. Compensation may be available to help pay medical bills or recoup lost wages. An attorney may be able to work with an injured victim to establish that another motorist was negligent and that the negligence caused the crash. Cases may be settled out of court or through a formal trial.
