In 2015, the number of car accident fatalities in the United States increased by 8 percent, which was the largest one-year increase in nearly 50 years. The initial estimates reveal that 38,300 victims were killed in car accidents in the United States during 2015, and approximately 4.4 million victims were injured in car accidents.
Improvements in the economy and lower gas prices, as well as other factors such as distracted driving, may have contributed to the increase in car accident fatalities; however, causality is being further determined. Car accident fatalities and injuries can be costly. The costs associated with car accidents in 2015 exceeded $412 billion. Costs associated with car accident fatalities and injuries include medical expenses, lost wages, lost productivity and additional costs.
Car accident victims and their families can end up absorbing the unexpected costs of a car accident, which is why the legal process provides options for both victims and their families to recover damages for the physical, financial and emotional costs they have suffered. A negligent driver may be liable to compensate car accident victims and their families for a variety of damages associated with the accident.
Car accident victims and their families may face overwhelming challenges following a car accident. The legal process is designed to step in and help car accident victims and surviving family members, depending on the circumstances of the accident, to recover compensation for the damages and harm they have suffered as a result of the car accident.
Source: Newsweek, “2015 Brought Biggest Percent Increase in U.S. Traffic Deaths in 50 Years,” Stav Ziv, Feb. 17, 2016