According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of US highway deaths in 2011 went down to their lowest level since 1949 at 32,367 fatalities-a 1.9% drop from last year. The 2011 decline is a continuing trend over the last six years, which has lead to a 26% drop in traffic deaths since 2005.
In this state last year, Massachusetts traffic fatalities went down from 347 deaths in 2010 to 337. Nationwide, other significant 2011 statistics included:
• A 4.6% drop in the number of light truck and passenger car occupant deaths.
• A 2.5% drop in alcohol-related deaths-from 10,136 drunk driving fatalities in 2010 to 9,878 last year.
• 36 states saw a decrease in total traffic deaths in 2011.
Unfortunately, last year there was a 20% increase in large truck occupant deaths, an 8.7% rise in pedalcyclist fatalities, and a 2.1% rise in motorcycle deaths. Also, distracted driving remains a serious problem, with 3,331 related traffic fatalities occurring last year, which is a 1.9% rise from 2010. However, there was a decrease in the number of distracted driving injuries from 416,000 people in 2010 to 387,000 last year.
Proving liability in a Boston wrongful death/personal injury can take time, so if you decide to work with an experienced law firm, the sooner you retain one the better for you and your case. Massachusetts follows a modified comparative negligence system that applies the 51% rule. Under this system, the injured party is only allowed to recover injury or death damages if her/his percentage of fault in causing the accident does not hit 51%. You want to work with a Boston car accident law firm that knows how to help you obtain the maximum recovery that you are owed.
So often, human error, inexperience, and carelessness are the cause of many Boston motor vehicle deaths and injuries. Also, while statistics give count to the victims that were actually involved in the traffic accidents, these figures do not account for the number of family members and friends of those who were injured/killed that also end up suffering as a result. The toll tends to be much higher than what records can calculate.
There is always more that can be done by regulators, lawmakers, and motorists to decrease the number of traffic injuries and deaths that happen every year.
New NHTSA Analysis Shows 2011 Traffic Fatalities Declined by Nearly Two Percent, NHTSA, December 10, 2012
2011 Motor Vehicle Crashes, Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA (PDF)
More Blog Posts:
Brockton Tractor-Trailer Driver Suffers Electrical Shock After His Truck Strikes Power Lines on I-95 in Attleboro, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, August 17, 2012
MA Judge Allows Lawsuit to Move Forward on Gillette Stadium Fatal Crash, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, December 14, 2012
Hit and run between car and motorcycle leaves Everett man seriously injured, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, September 4, 2012