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NHTSA releases 2018 traffic death data

On Behalf of | Oct 30, 2019 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , there was a 2.4% drop in traffic deaths in 2018. In that year, there were 36,560 deaths throughout the country. The NHTSA said that the drop was partially because of safety technology installed in newer vehicles. New York motorists might be pleased to learn that data suggests that there was a decline during the first six months of 2019 as well.

It is important to note that fatalities rose for pedestrians and bicyclists, and there was also a 1% increase in deaths attributed to crashes involving large trucks. Pedestrian deaths rose by 3.4% while fatalities involving those on bicycles rose 6.3%. Consumer Reports says that pedestrian deaths have increased by 53% since 2009. Furthermore, it said that the pedestrian death toll was the highest in 28 years.

Bicyclists and pedestrians were most likely to be involved in accidents after dark, and evidence suggests that some of these victims may have been impaired by alcohol. The NHTSA did suggest that the use of SUVs may have played a role in the severity of accidents involving these individuals. Generally speaking, an SUV is taller than a passenger vehicle, which may make it harder for a driver to see a pedestrian.

People who have been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligence of another driver may be entitled to damages such as lost wages or lost future earnings. They may also be entitled to the cost of replacing property damaged in an accident or medical bills related to the crash. An attorney may be able to help gather evidence or take other steps in an effort to obtain a favorable outcome for an injured victim.

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