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Automobile fatalities experienced a two-year drop

On Behalf of | Oct 24, 2019 | Wrongful Death

New Jersey residents may be pleased to learn that according to a government road safety agency, traffic deaths in the United States fell slightly for the second year in a row. The NHTSA reported a 2.4% drop in fatalities, which has been linked in part to new technology and vehicles designed to prevent crashes.

According to the most recent statistics, 36,560 people died in 2018 in automobile accidents. The first half estimates of 2019 show that fatalities are following a downward trend as they are approximately 3.4% lower than they were at the same time the previous year. This is exciting news. Still, government officials cautioned that there are too many preventable automobile accidents on the road; in their opinion, more work needs to be done in order to make the roads safer for all.

The other side of this equation is the fact that pedestrian deaths and bicycle deaths rose. Pedestrian deaths rose by 3.4%, and bicycle rider fatalities rose by 6.3%. Additionally, those killed in large truck crashes rose by a little less than 1%.

The years 2017 and 2018 saw declines in automobile crash fatalities. However, 2015 and 2016 saw an increase in automobile fatalities. This is thought to be the result of an improved economy, leading to more people getting behind the wheel.

The NHTSA also reported a drop in alcohol-related fatalities, speeding-related fatalities and motorcycle rider deaths in 2018. It is important to note that the bicyclist deaths and pedestrian deaths were often linked to the pedestrian or cyclist having alcohol in their system.

When a person is a victim of an automobile accident, it may feel like their life changes in an instant. In addition to dealing with medical issues, they may face financial challenges because of loss of work, medical bills and the inability to pay for living expenses. In these circumstances, a personal injury attorney may be able to help their client. They might work with investigators to understand what caused the accident, and they may help their clients determine what, if any, compensation they are due.