Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers: Early Data Indicates Rise in Car Accident Fatalities

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its official fatality statistics for 2014, indicating a small but overall decline in traffic deaths from the previous year. While this is good news, the agency followed up the report with a sobering outlook for 2015. Preliminary data reveals 16,225 lives were lost in car accidents during the first half of 2015 – an 8.1% increase over the same period the previous year. The report broke down the statistics regionally, with the section that includes Maryland showing a troubling 13% increase in motor vehicle deaths over the same period the previous year.

Final Crash Data for 2014

  • An alarming 32,675 people were fatally injured and another 2.3 million incurred non-fatal injuries in motor vehicle accidents in the U.S.
  • Nationwide, 4,884 pedestrians and 726 cyclists were struck by motor vehicles and killed
  • Drunk driving fatalities accounted for 9,967 deaths (31% of all crash fatalities)
  • Speed was a factor in crashes that killed 9,262 people (28% of accident deaths)
  • Distracted driving was reported in crashes that killed 3,179 people
  • Drowsy driving was a factor in at least 846 deaths, though most experts agree that this reported number is probably lower than the actual figure

According to the NHTSA, unsafe driving behavior, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, distracted driving, drowsy driving, speeding and failure to use restraint systems such as seat belts and child seats was responsible for 94% of all crash deaths in 2014. After releasing its preliminary findings for the first half of 2015, the NHTSA announced plans to hold five regional meetings across the U.S. beginning in early 2016. The meetings will address issues the agency believes are driving the increase in crash fatalities – specifically impaired driving, speeding and failure to buckle up.

Maryland Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Fight for Those Harmed by Driver Negligence

If you have been seriously injured or suffered the loss of a loved one in a wreck caused by the negligent or reckless acts of another, contact LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton today to discuss your legal options. Our Baltimore car accident lawyers have obtained more than $100 million in awards and settlements for victims of all types of accidents. Call 800-547-4LAW (4529) to arrange a free review of your case with one of our seasoned and highly skilled accident lawyers or contact us online. A qualified member of our legal team is available to take your call 24 hours a day.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, allowing us to represent injured accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.