Dangerous Time On US Roads

According to the report, roadway deaths “fell in six of the seven years between 2007 and 2014.” But even the safety features in new cars – automatic brakes, rearview cameras, lane departure warning systems and the advanced air bags – aren’t enough to bring down the death toll.

Attitudes are behind the spike in deaths

In 2017, “100 people a day” were killed on U.S. roads, according to CBS News. The National Safety Council estimated “4.57 million people were injured seriously enough to require medical attention in motor vehicle crashes” in 2017. The NSC estimated the total cost of the fatalities and injuries amounted to “$413.8 billion.” Deborah Hersman, Director of NSC, called the crashes entirely “preventable.”

An NSC survey in April 2017, conducted “over the previous 12 months,” revealed the “alarming habits and opinions” among drivers that are threatening safety on American roads.

• 47% said it was safe to text behind the wheel or send messages via voice dictation.
• 35% of teens said it was safe to use social media while driving.
• 71% said they could drink up to 3 alcoholic drinks without being “impaired.”
• 33 percent said it was safe to drive with less than four hours of sleep.

Other factors contribute

National Public Radio reported that more traffic than ever hit U.S. roads in 2016.  Drivers in “trucks, mini-vans, and cars and SUVs drove 3.22 trillion miles that year – a new record. Lower gasoline prices helped to fuel the increase. NPR’s report still cited “speed, distracted driving and alcohol as the top three killers on the road.”

When accidents increase, insurance is harder to collect

On February 7, 2018, The Washington Post described how the soaring auto accident rate is hurting policy holders. The Post reported that over the last several years, auto insurance rates have skyrocketed nationwide in ways that are “wildly unfair.”

These days, it takes a tough negotiator to get what you expect from your insurance policy after an accident. Auto Accident Attorney Wyatt Wright is rated one of the top 100 trial lawyers by the American Trial Lawyers Association. His national legal awards, years of representing victims, prove he is an outstanding advocate. Calls to the firm and evaluations are free. You pay nothing until Wyatt Wright wins your case. His advice? If you get hit, don’t go it alone.