Injury Lawyers Who Truly Care

A rise in fatal accidents made 2021 a bad year

On Behalf of | Jun 10, 2022 | Car Accidents, Wrongful Death

There were a record number of traffic deaths in 2021 in Virginia and across the U.S. The number of accidents that resulted in deaths rose to nearly 43,000. This was an increase of 10.5% over the previous year’s number, which was 38,824.

Highway deaths are rising in Virginia

The increase over last year’s number of deaths was the highest by percentage in the past 16 years. This has led to a huge number of wrongful death and other types of lawsuits being filed all across the nation. Virginia was one of 44 states that recorded huge increases in its total number of highway deaths.

The increase in deaths throughout 2021 was not limited to any one age group. Drivers between the ages of 35 and 44 saw a 15% increase in the number of deaths, and those over the age of 65 reported a 14% increase in the number of fatal accidents.

Fatal road accidents cost billions of dollars

Many experts argue that the increase in deaths all across Virginia can be attributed to dangerous road conditions. But there are also plenty of observers who point to a major increase in the number of risky behaviors exhibited by drivers over the past year. that cost the state and its taxpayers billions of dollars in damages and health care fees.

Drivers were getting back on the road in record numbers after the end of the lockdown. Many of them seemingly forgot their basic safety skills. As a result, more deaths occurred that could be traced back to drivers speeding, tailgating, or not wearing their seat belts. Virginia drivers are urged to exercise caution.

Archives