Traffic fatalities continue to plague our nation's roadways
Car accident deaths remain high nationwide, according to a recent Governors Highway Safety Administration (GHSA) study based on the most recent car accident data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
"We cannot afford to inch our way to zero traffic deaths," according to a recent statement from Jonathan Adkins, GHSA Executive Director. "We must act now – and quickly – to prevent crashes and save lives."
The car accident attorneys at Boughter Sinak, LLC agree. Unfortunately, for far too long, roadway fatalities in Fort Wayne, South Bend, and communities throughout Indiana and across the country have become far too familiar.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, it's essential to seek legal representation right away. Contact Boughter Sinak, LLC today to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Indiana car accident lawyers. Let us help you fight for the justice and financial compensation you deserve.
Car accident deaths in the U.S.
Car safety advocates were encouraged by some of the recent crash statistics. For example, during the first nine months of 2022, the number of people who died in car accidents decreased by 0.2 percent compared to 31,785 fatalities in the same nine-month period in 2021, according to the latest NHTSA data.
But it's important to put such numbers into perspective. Since 2019, car accident fatalities nationwide have increased dramatically, even though fewer drivers were on the road in 2020 and 2021. For example, in 2020, car accident fatalities nationwide rose 7.2 percent compared to 2019. Then in 2021, annual car accident deaths across the country increased an additional 10.5 percent.
Indiana car accident fatalities
Unfortunately, like the rest of the country, car accident deaths in Indiana have consistently increased in recent years. In 2020, the number of people who died in fatal car accidents in Indiana increased by 10.7 percent compared to the year before, according to NHTSA car accident data.
Then in 2021, the number of people who died in car accidents in Indiana increased by another 9 percent during the first nine months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020, according to the latest NHTSA data.
Why do fatal car accidents happen?
In particular, "speeding, impaired and distracted driving, and lack of seat belt use" remain some of the most common causes of fatal car accidents nationwide, according to the recent GHSA report.
As for Indiana, fatal car accidents remain a problem for many of the same reasons. For instance, speeding and drunk driving have continued to increase in recent years. In 2020, the number of people who died in car accidents in Indiana increased dramatically that year – by 24.5 percent for drunk driving accidents and 18.4 percent for speeding accidents compared to the death toll for both categories in 2019, according to NHTSA data.
How can a car accident attorney help?
Don't assume anything after a loved one dies in a fatal crash. While local or state police investigate most fatal car accidents, their focus is on determining if the at-fault driver violated any state or federal laws. Unfortunately, their investigation does not include assessing the compensation your family deserves for expenses related to the accident, which can quickly become significant.
At Boughter Sinak, LLC, our Fort Wayne car accident lawyers understand the importance of obtaining fair compensation for accident-related expenses. We can thoroughly review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand your legal options. With our experienced team by your side, you can make informed decisions based on the facts and secure the compensation you and your family deserve.
Learn more about your legal rights. Contact our law firm and schedule your free case evaluation to see how our law firm can help you. We have two offices conveniently located in Fort Wayne and South Bend and handle cases throughout the state. In addition, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay no fees unless we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you.