It can be helpful for people in Ohio and across the country to understand the statistics of motor vehicle crashes. There are numerous methods that are used to accumulate these statistics including reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The NHTSA records have shown that in the first nine months of 2015, the number of people who were killed in traffic accidents in the U.S. rose by 9.3 percent. According to estimates, more than 26,000 people were killed in these accidents. That is a rise from the first nine months of 2014 that was just shy of 23,800. Across the country, the increases varied depending on the areas of the U.S. For example, the mid-Atlantic and South Central areas of the U.S. rose by two percent. In the Southeast, the increase was 16 percent; in the Northwest, it was 20 percent.
Prior to 2015, the number of fatal accidents had been in decline. Between 2000 and 2014, the numbers decreased by 22 percent. In 2014, the number of deaths had fallen by 1.2 percent compared to 2013.
The NHTSA takes this information to mean that it must increase its vigilance as to people's safety. It has been found that 94 percent of accidents were because of human factors. Such issues as driving under the influence and the failure to wear seatbelts are two problems that are known to be contributing factors in fatalities on the road.
The statistics are troubling and hammer home the reality that drivers, passengers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings on the road. Even when people are as cautious as possible, they still might find themselves involved in an accident due to the negligence of another. Families who lose a loved one will have a litany of problems they will need to overcome including financial, personal and emotional. In order to recover compensation after a fatal accident, people in this position may want to contact a lawyer experienced in moving forward with wrongful death cases.
Source: Insurance Journal, "U.S. Traffic Deaths Up 9%," accessed on Feb. 15, 2016
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