Driving is an inherently dangerous activity, and it comes with more risks than flying on an airplane or hopping on a long train ride. Despite the overwhelming amount of information available about careless driving, some drivers refuse to change their reckless habits.
Learn more about fatalities related to car accidents.
United States Road Crash Statistics
Here are some car accident statistics by the Association for Safe International Road Travel:
- Over 37,000 people die in car collisions every year
- An additional 2.35 million end up with injuries or permanently disabled
- Over 1,600 children under age 15 die each year
- Nearly 8,000 people are killed in crashes involving drivers ages 16-20
- Car collisions cost the U.S. $240 billion per year, which is an average of $820 per person
- Road crashes are the leading cause of death among healthy U.S. citizens traveling abroad
Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of negligent driving.
The Main Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
Unfortunately, car collisions are a common occurrence. Your commute home from work probably consists of listening to traffic reports on the radio where the announcer lists the number of accidents that have occurred in the past hour. Car accidents happen every minute of the day, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration. Common causes of deadly car accidents include:
- Texting and driving
- Driving under the influence, which includes prescription drugs and alcohol
- Poor weather conditions
- Reckless driving, which includes speeding and ignoring stop signs
- Street and highway construction defects
- Fatigue
- Car manufacturing defects
- Inexperienced drivers, such as teenagers
- Elderly drivers with poor eyesight
The Legal Consequences of Deadly Car Accidents
It’s in your best interest to abide by road rules if you want to avoid hefty fines, guilt, and a lengthy prison sentence. Here are some of the ramifications of fatal car collisions:
Hit and run charges: When a driver inadvertently hits a pedestrian, but they remain at the scene and follow proper protocol, the worst consequence they may face is a higher car insurance premium. However, if a driver strikes and kills a pedestrian and they flee the scene, they will face criminal charges, which includes a felony arrest for hit and run.
DUI arrest: After a car accident in which the driver is under the influence, the driver faces a DUI arrest and conviction. If they strike and kill a pedestrian while drunk, their potential prison sentence may increase due to aggravating circumstances. Additionally, they face higher fines and harsher driver’s license penalties once they’re out of prison, such as a longer license suspension.
Vehicular manslaughter: If the driver was carelessly operating the vehicle before the accident, such as by driving at 100 mph in a school zone, then a pedestrian death resulting from the collision can trigger vehicular manslaughter charges. If the pedestrian’s death was indeed an accident, and there are no aggravating factors, then criminal charges are unlikely, but the driver may still face a wrongful death lawsuit.
Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks Is Here for You
If you have lost a family member due to a negligent driver’s actions, you may be eligible for compensation. The personal representative of the estate can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased victim’s family members. For more information on how this type of lawsuit works, be sure to consult with a wrongful death attorney from Flickinger • Boulton • Robson • Weeks. We’re here to help you heal and hold the negligent person accountable.