Vehicle Fatalities Reach Over 40,000 for Second Year in a Row

With all of the advanced safety technology available in today’s motor vehicles, you would expect vehicle fatalities to be at an all-time low. However, according to estimates from the National Safety Council (NSC), car accidents claimed the lives of more than 40,000 motorists in 2016 and 2017. This marks the highest number of fatalities in 50 years. In order to significantly reduce these numbers, and protect the lives of thousands of motorists across the country, the NSC is urging drivers to take proactive safety measures.

In addition to the fatalities caused by car accidents, over 4.5 million people were injured seriously enough to require medical attention. These injuries resulted in approximately $414 billion in total costs.

According to the NSC President and CEO, there is a level of complacency that is killing thousands of people each year. As far as we are concerned, she said, the only acceptable number of fatalities is zero.

This means that we have to take much more aggressive steps towards improving roadway safety.

Life-Saving Tips for Motorists

The NSC offers the following tips to all motorists, which will help prevent accidents and ensure safer roads and highways:

• Drivers should be aware of their surroundings, practice defensive driving, and remain focused and attentive at all times.
• Always arrange a designated driver if you or other members of your party will be drinking alcohol. Do not drive while intoxicated.
• Get plenty of sleep in order to avoid drowsy driving.
• Avoid distractions like talking, texting, eating, putting on makeup, or reaching for something in the back seat.
• Understand the dangers of drugged driving, including the use of prescription opioids and how they can cause impaired driving.
• Help inexperienced teen drivers improve their driving skills, and avoid bad habits like texting while driving, or getting distracted by other friends in the vehicle.
• Be aware of the safety features that your vehicle is equipped with, and understand how they work, and how to use them.
• If there is a product recall for your vehicle, make sure that you have it replaced or repaired immediately, in order to avoid serious accidents.
• Contact lawmakers and state officials to request that they enforce traffic safety laws, and create more effective laws where there are weaknesses.
• Participate in the Road to Zero program, so that you can gain a better understanding of how motor vehicle fatalities are addressed by safety officials.

The NSC has been collecting data on fatality trends for close to 100 years. Data from all 50 states are included, as well as information from the National Center for Health Statistics. Their figures count traffic and nontraffic deaths that happen within a year of an accident.

Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims of Serious Car Accidents

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal car accident, the Baltimore car accident lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are on your side, and will take the necessary steps to secure the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your tragic loss. We will determine who is responsible for causing the accident, and ensure that your legal rights are protected at all times. To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

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