In 2020, unintentional accidents, or “preventable deaths,” were the 4th-leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19.
With 238 million motorists behind the wheel across the U.S., it's unfortunately no surprise that the leading cause of “unintentional accident” deaths were motor vehicle accidents, with 38,824 fatalities.
We know that even the most cautious drivers can get involved in motor vehicle wrecks due to somebody else’s negligence. If you or someone you know was involved in a motor vehicle wreck, contact a Cory Watson car wreck attorney today.
About 45% of all fatal accidents involved one motorist who was either speeding, alcohol impaired, or not wearing a seatbelt. Often, motor vehicle accident attorneys can assist you in a wrongful death case if someone you love perished due to someone else’s negligence behind the wheel.
“The rising fatalities on our roadways are a national crisis; we cannot and must not accept these deaths as inevitable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
The motor vehicle death crisis has hit southern states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee particularly hard. So far in 2022, Mississippi has the 2nd-highest fatal car accident rate per capita, with Alabama having the 14th-most and Tennessee the 18th-most.
In total, 876 fatal car accidents have been recorded in Alabama so far this year, the 14th-most nationwide, despite being the 24th-most populated state.
Per the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the following numbers drastically increased from 2019 to 2020, even as total miles traveled decreased by 11% due to the COVID-19 pandemic:
- Fatalities in speeding-related crashes up 17%
- Fatalities in alcohol-impaired driving crashes up 14%
- Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities up 14%
- Pedestrian fatalities up 3.9% (highest number since 1989)
- Fatalities in hit-and-run crashes up 26%
- Fatalities in large-truck crashes down 1.3%
You don’t have to handle your case alone. Instead, leave it up to a capable, dedicated lawyer from Cory Watson Attorneys. Your lawyer will pursue compensation and handle everything else about your case so you can focus on more important matters, like your health and your loved ones.
For a completely free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team, contact Cory Watson Attorneys by filling out our online contact form or calling 877-562-0000.