Following years of decline, traffic fatalities on American roadways are once again on the rise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced in July that an estimated 35,200 people lost their lives in car accidents in 2015. The number represents a 7.7 percent increase over 2014, when 32,675 fatalities were reported. According to Philadelphia car accident lawyers, the statistics are especially troubling given the advances in technology which should make road travel today safer than ever.
Government officials offer several theories for the uptick in fatal crashes. With gas prices at historic lows and a nearly-recovered economy, more Americans are driving more miles than ever before. The sheer increase in vehicular traffic may account for a corresponding increase in traffic accidents.
At the same time, many are choosing to walk and bike to work or other locations which previously would have involved the use of a motor vehicle. To that end, pedestrians and bicyclists suffered the most significant increase in traffic fatalities in 2015. Preventable accidents caused by human error remain a pressing concern, and account for 94 percent of all deadly crashes in 2015 according to the NHTSA.
The greatest increase in fatal crashes occurred in the NHTSA’s Region 10, an area which encompasses Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. The tristate area of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – the NHTSA’s Region 2 – saw a four percent increase in traffic fatalities in 2015. Additionally, the NHTSA maintains that fatal accidents involving a young driver rose 10 percent, fatal accidents involving large trucks rose four percent, and fatal car accidents involving roll-overs rose five percent in 2015. The statistics released in July by the NHTSA are considered preliminary data. Should the projections hold, 2015 will mark the deadliest year on American roadways since 2008, when 37,423 motorists and passengers lost their lives in traffic accidents.
Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates Fight for the Rights of Injured Passengers and Drivers
The National Transportation Safety Board believes that collision-avoidance systems and other automation technology may provide the best defense against a fatal car accident. However, until such technology is readily available and affordable for everyday consumers, traveling American roadways remains a risky proposition. If you are mourning the loss of a loved one from a car accident caused by the negligent actions of another, contact Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Geoffrey B. Gompers & Associates. We will investigate your claim and pursue compensation on your behalf. Call 215-567-6600 or complete our online form today to schedule an appointment at our offices in Voorhees, New Jersey or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.