National Safety Council had some harrowing news: U.S. deaths from motor vehicle accidents in 2016 increased by 6 percent from 2015 and 14 percent from 2014, the biggest two-year increase since 1964.
An estimated 40,000 deaths occurred as the result of motor vehicle crashes last year, including victims who died from injuries within 100 days of the crash. 4.6 million people had a personal injury serious enough to require medical attention, and the overall cost of crashes to society was estimated to be $432 billion.
Worst of all, the National Safety Council (NSC) data shows that a large portion of these collisions were avoidable. Distracted driving, speeding, driving while impaired and other incredibly risky activities are considered commonplace by many Americans as part of what the NSC describes as a worrying “complacency” towards poor driving decisions.
As the number of accidents, deaths and injuries continues to rise, those who have been injured by an irresponsible motorist in our city deserve to obtain compensation for their medical costs, pain and suffering and more. Learn more about how dangerous driving contributes to your risk of being injured by reckless motorists, and how a car accident lawyer in San Francisco can help represent your injury case.
California Leads the Nation in Traffic Deaths
The NSC study’s data encompassed state-by-state motor vehicle accident reports as well as some major cities.
While not the worst state in the U.S. for accident fatality increases, California still had a shocking rise in traffic-related deaths. 2016 traffic deaths in California rose by 14 percent from 2015 to 2016 and by 19 percent from 2014 to 2016, beating the national average. The state also had the highest number of motor vehicle deaths in 2016, 3,680 total, which, despite California being the most populous state, is still cause for serious concern.
One bright glimmer in the study is that San Francisco seemed to be an outlier in that traffic fatalities actually decreased. The city had a slight decline in motor vehicle accident fatalities both from 2015 to 2016 and from 2014 to 2016 overall. San Francisco also had a decrease in pedestrian deaths from 2015 to 2016, a sign our efforts towards pedestrian safety may be working.
NSC: “Our Complacency Is Killing Us”
Perhaps the most concerning part of the NSC’s report was an accompanying survey measuring the attitudes of American drivers. While 83 percent of those surveyed said driving safety is a cause for concern, 64 percent said they are comfortable speeding, 47 percent said they have no qualms about texting while driving, 13 percent said they were willing to drive while under the effects of marijuana and 10 percent said they would drive even if they thought they had drunk enough alcohol to be over the legal limit.
These attitudes indicate a willingness to accept risk despite awareness that driving can present serious safety challenges in any setting. As more drivers enter the roads with each year, a relaxed attitude towards risky decision-making will only lead to further increases in deaths, according to the NSC. To combat this trend, the NSC advocates for strengthening safety laws, like mandating ignition interlocks on all convicted drunk drivers.
How a Car Accident Lawyer in San Francisco Can Help if You Have Been Hurt
As the NSC study shows, dangerous driving behaviors are all-too-common and can lead to serious injury or death. If you have been the victim of a motorist you suspect made negligent or reckless decisions, such as deciding to drive while drunk, you are entitled to seek damages for the medical costs of your injury as well as other damages, including lost income, pain and suffering and more.
Working with an experienced San Francisco car accident attorney with a history of winning large settlements can increase your chances of successful recovery. Do not wait a moment longer to start your personal injury case! You can contact us today for a free consultation.
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