The Number of Fatal Car Accidents has Increased for the First Time in Many Years

The number of car accidents has increased for the first time since 2002. In past years the numbers were actually decreasing. This is terrible news. In 2011, there were 32,479 fatal car accidents. In 2012, that number increased to 33,561. An increase of 3.6%. In 2011, 2,217,000 people were injured in car accidents. In 2012 that number increased to 2,362,000. An increase of 6.7%.

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Why Are Accidents Increasing?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one reason for the increase in accidents relates to the amount of drunk driving. In 2012, over 10,000 people died due to DUI related car accidents. This is an increase of 4.6% or 457 people. In addition, there is a 3.7% increase in the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks. If a truck accident involved more than two vehicles, the likelihood of death increases 18%.

What About Pennsylvania Car Accidents?

In Pennsylvania, the number of fatal car accidents has increased 1.9%.  1,286 people died in car crashes in 2011, while 1,301 people died in auto accidents in 2012. In 2011, 31% of those fatalities were caused by drunk drivers. In 2012, that percentage stayed the same, but the total number of deaths increased from 398 to 408.  See the chart for details.

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Any Positive News? Seat Belts Save Lives!

The number of fatalities in car accidents has decreased among people who wear their seat belts. 52% of fatal accidents involved people who didn’t wear their seat belts. That number increases to 62% during night time accidents. On the other hand, the number of people dying in car accidents while wearing seat belts decreased by 39 (people not percent) from 2002. The first decrease in 10 years.

Contact Us!

If you are injured in a car accident, or even worse, if you lose a loved one due to a car accident, please give the Pennsylvania car accident lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams a call. We are here to help.