There’s no question that the number of people killed in car accidents every year is an alarming number. Recent data has compiled all the stats for the year 2015 and has shown that there are shockingly high number of deaths every year. But are these numbers on the rise or decline? Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas has all the info for you.
Traffic deaths have risen for the first time in decades
Since 1965, traffic deaths have decreased every single year – except for one anomaly in 2012. That said, we’ve seen a shocking rise in fatalities in 2015 – more than 7% more deaths than the year before. We hope this is just one strange spike and that the trend will once again move downward, but for now we need to analyze what’s going on and why it’s happening.
The raw numbers: More than 35,000 died on U.S. roads in 2015
The total number of people killed in car accidents in 2015 was a little over 35,000. However, keep in mind that this is only deaths. Vehicle accidents that led to more than 100,000 potentially life-changing injuries including everything from fractures to spinal cord injuries.
Compare than number to the less than 33,000 people killed in 2015 and you can see that this trend is indeed on the rise. But in order to fully analyze those numbers, we must look at different categories. For example, deaths caused by intoxicated and / or distracted risers both went up noticeably. Deaths caused by drunk drivers went up 3% and deaths caused by distracted drivers went up a terrifying 9%.
Many people have speculated that the increase in overall traffic deaths is caused by so many more distracted drivers. This includes people who were texting, talking on their phones, eating, or doing other non-driving related things while they were driving. It’s not hard to imagine that this may be related to the fact that virtually everyone has a mobile tech device – and that’s why states like California have created advertising campaigns to specifically target this issue.
What’s the main reason for the increase in car accident deaths?
There’s no clear answer. While many people speculate that it’s the influx of mobile devices, there are other considerations as well. For example, consider that many parts of the country – including California – have seen some very unusual weather phenomenon. It’s not a stretch to assume that with more inclement weather comes more driver deaths.
No matter the cause, if someone close to you has died as the result of a negligent driver then you need to speak with a California personal injury attorney right away. At Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas, we are here to help you through the process. Call our offices today at 909-982-0707 for your free legal evaluation. We’ll take your case on contingency, which means you won’t owe us a cent until your settlement is received.
