Deaths from traffic-related accidents increased by 8.4 percent from 2014 to 2015. During 2014, 32,744 people were killed in traffic accidents in the United States. That number increased to 35,092 deaths during 2015. The trend continued in 2016, with motor vehicle accidents causing 37,461 deaths, a 5.6 percent increase for the year.
In Louisiana, 752 people died in traffic accidents during 2015 and 757 people died in traffic accidents during 2016. This is a much lower percentage increase when compared to the national standard; however, it is still an increase in the number of traffic-related deaths in our state.
Causes of Traffic-Related Deaths
The causes of fatal car accidents vary; however, there are some causes that could be avoided if it was not for the reckless or negligent acts of others. Some common causes of traffic-related deaths include:
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Impaired Driving
Drunk driving is a common cause of traffic-related fatalities. In 2016, 10,497 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in the United States. This total represented 28 percent of the total fatalities that year from traffic-related accidents. Drunk driving accidents are preventable — don’t get behind the wheel of any vehicle after having consumed alcoholic beverages. If a drunk driver causes an accident, that driver can be held accountable in criminal court and civil court.
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Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another common cause of many traffic-related deaths. In 2015, it is estimated that ten percent of the fatal crashes were attributable to distracted driving. Approximately 391,000 people were injured, and 3,477 people were killed in 2015 by distracted drivers. Distracted driving, like drunk driving, can be prevented by simply paying more attention to driving. We need to put down the electronic devices and cell phones to focus on the road ahead. If we limit distractions while driving, we can save lives and prevent loss.
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Speeding
Speeding is another common cause of deaths from traffic accidents. Speeding accidents claimed 9,557 lives during 2015. That number represented 27 percent of the traffic deaths for that year. This was also a three percent increase in the number of speeding-related fatalities from the previous year. As with other common causes of traffic deaths, speeding-related accidents can be prevented by slowing down.
What Can You Do If You Have Lost a Loved One in a Traffic Accident?
If your loved one was killed in a traffic accident, our New Orleans wrongful death attorneys could help you seek justice for your loved one. In addition to being reimbursed for the funeral and burial expenses, you can also receive compensation for the loss of income, support, and companionship you suffer because of the death of a loved one. It is a tragic loss when we lose a family member because of a preventable accident. Let our attorneys help your family hold the person responsible for the accident accountable for his or her actions.
Call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm at (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request a free consultation with a New Orleans wrongful death attorney. Our law firm accepts most cases on a contingency fee basis. You will not owe our attorney fees unless we win your case.