The coronavirus pandemic grounded almost every facet of life of Americans. While most of these impacts are understandable consequences of a pandemic that practically brought the entire world to its feet, others are shocking. For instance, many recent studies reveal that while there was a drastic reduction in road traffic between 2020 and 2021, the rate of fatal crashes increased within this period than previous years.
One reason for this increase in fatal car accidents was the surge in risky driving behaviors. With fewer cars on the road, some drivers take advantage of open highways by speeding, engaging in reckless driving, and disregarding traffic laws. These actions led to a rise in severe accidents, causing a tragic spike in fatalities. For individuals and families impacted by such accidents, seeking justice and support can be crucial. Experts, such as those at the Felix Gonzalez Accident and Injury Law Firm, offer experienced legal assistance to help victims pursue compensation and hold responsible parties accountable during these challenging times.
Stats and Numbers
A study by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that 38,460 people died in traffic mishaps in 2020. It represents a seven percent surge in 2019 accident fatality figures. A careful analysis of the statistics in the past decade will reveal how alarming the 2020 figures were.
Rate of Fatalities in the US between 2010 and 2020:
2010—32,999 deaths
2011—32,479 deaths
2012—33,782 deaths
2013—32,894 deaths
2014—32,744 deaths
2015—35,485 deaths
2016—37,806 deaths
2017—37,473 deaths
2018—36,835 deaths
2019—36,096 deaths
2020—38,460 deaths
Only 2017 (with 41,259 deaths) had more accident fatalities than 2020 in more than one decade. Also, figures from the NHTSA show that there were 20,160 fatal crashes between January and June 2021. If this pattern continued between July and December, there would be more than 40,000 traffic-induced deaths in 2021.
Also, NHTSA statistics show that Americans traveled 13 percent fewer miles in 2020 than in 2019. Hence, there were more fatal crashes during the COVID-19 pandemic despite Americans traveling less.
This pattern covered all kinds of vehicle accidents. For instance, motorcycle deaths surged by nine percent, while bicycle deaths increased by five percent. Surprisingly, fatal pedestrian crashes remained stagnant.
However, accidents involving commercial trucks and drivers older than 64 years were reduced by two and nine percent, respectively.
Factors That Contributed to Increased Accident Fatalities during COVID-19 Pandemic
It seems like an abnormality that car accident fatalities increased during a significant reduction in road traffic at the peak of the pandemic. Out of curiosity, the NHTSA did a study to unravel the dramatic cause of this unexpected increase. The study outcome shows that those who drove during COVID-19 were likelier to be reckless and jettison safety measures.
Hence, below are the top reasons for this surprising surge in fatality crashes during the pandemic:
Aggressive Driving and Over-Speeding
Some drivers used their driving to express their frustrations and anger about the pandemic. The pandemic came with many fears, and people had to sit at home forcefully for several weeks. Then, vehicles looked like a “haven” to motorists. Thus, there were numerous reports of aggressive driving throughout the year.
Downplaying the Traffic on the Road
Many drivers failed to realize the increasing traffic on the road during the gradual ease of the sit-at-home. Some firms decided to return to business by the summer of 2020, leading to more traffic on the road. The development was shocking to motorists who were used to empty roads a few months earlier.
Hence, some motorists ran into unexpected traffic jams, leading to avoidable accidents.
Impaired Driving
The imposed sit-at-home led to an increased rate of alcohol consumption. For instance, there was over a 20 percent increase in retail alcohol consumption between July and September 2020 than the previous year. Also, many Americans believed that patrol officers were ineffective during the pandemic because of the fear of contracting the virus.
Hence, many drivers became reckless, leading to a surge in fatal car accidents.
Neglect of Seatbelt
Seatbelts have proven to minimize the effect of severe accidents on drivers and passengers. Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that seatbelts save over 17,000 lives annually and can reduce the risk of death in a crash by 50 percent.
Unfortunately, many drivers neglected seatbelts during the pandemic. The NHTSA reports that approximately 78 percent of motorists involved in crashes before the pandemic wore their seatbelts, but the stat reduced by seven percent during COVID-19.
Pursuing Compensation for a Dead Victim in a Car Crash
Although a lost life is irreparable, you can pursue financial compensation for your losses by hiring a lawyer to file a wrongful death suit against the reckless motorist responsible for the death of your loved one. If you hire an experienced and excellent attorney, they can help you recover compensation for mishap-related damages like funeral costs, property damage, and medical bills.
You can also receive compensation for non-economic damages like:
- Loss of education, moral guidance, and instruction that the deceased would have given to their surviving kids
- The surviving relatives’ sorrow, mental pains, and grief
- Loss of familiar bond
- Loss of financial support your loved one would have given you
End Note
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surprising increase in fatal car accidents despite reduced traffic. Risky behaviors like speeding and impaired driving significantly contributed. Seeking expert legal support helps families pursue justice and compensation for their losses.
