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While the number of miles Americans drove in 2020 dropped by 13 percent, the number of traffic fatalities rose by 7 percent. Further, in the first half of 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that traffic fatalities rose 18.4 percent from 2020. Some people are surprised to learn that the amount of accidents during the pandemic hasn’t fallen. The rise of traffic accidents and deaths was due to an increase in reckless driving by Americans, which according to the agency, included factors such as distracted driving, driving under the influence, and speeding.
Car Accidents Due to Negligent Behavior
While car safety features and seatbelts, and airbags are in widespread availability and use, car accidents due to negligent behavior continue. Dangerous driving caused by a driver’s poor decisions has been on the rise in most of the United States since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Texas, for example, has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to increase road safety for drivers, including redesigning roads and adding more warning signs for drivers, but traffic deaths increased from 3,664 in 2019 to 4,433 in 2021. In 2020, California officials issued double the amount of speeding tickets to drivers who were speeding over 100mph, with the total being 28,500 tickets. Further, in California, there was a 150 percent increase in arrests for reckless driving in 2020 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
South Florida Car Accidents During the Pandemic
In South Florida, these statistics also ring true. Car accidents are often due to a driver making a negligent decision, which includes being distracted while driving, driving under the influence, or speeding. Crash and citation reports include notes about whether drivers are inattentive on the road, under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash, or speeding. There were 4,554 alcohol confirmed crashes in 2020, for instance, according to statistics from Florida Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles (FLHSMV). Drivers who operated vehicles that were first involved in a crash with one or more vehicles were disproportionately operating vehicles in a careless or negligent manner, according to the FLHSMV. When a driver is considered negligent, that means that they engaged in careless behavior that led to an injury of another person or persons. Every driver has a legal duty to operate their vehicle with care and a breach of that duty results in a driver being at fault in an accident and liable for damages they caused. While the coronavirus pandemic has upended many aspects of normal life, a driver’s duty of care has not changed.
In the event that another party was negligent, the insurance company may be unable to provide you with an adequate amount to cover the emotional and financial devastation caused by the car accident. In this situation, you may file a personal injury legal claim against the at-fault party. While the at-fault party may be the individual driving the vehicle that caused the crash, other car accidents are due to defective products or hazardous roads. The manufacturer of a defective product, such as a faulty seatbelt, brake, or accelerator could then be liable for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the car accident. If hazardous road conditions caused the car accident then you may be able to file a legal claim against the public or private entity responsible for designing and constructing the road. In many instances, a personal injury lawsuit is settled before trial. In the case that your personal injury lawsuit goes to trial, our attorneys have the vast litigation experience to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Why choose Clayton Trial Lawyers for your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Clayton Trial Lawyers can protect your rights and make sure valuable evidence is not destroyed. Often, insurance companies want to take statements immediately after an accident; therefore, it is important that you have received legal advice before providing such a statement. Your attorney can advise you on issues ranging from how to make sure you are fully compensated for your vehicle to how to make sure you are getting the best medical treatment available. Contact us today.