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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its annual report on auto accident data for traffic collisions for 2010. As a Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury lawyer, I’m happy to see that at first glance the news is good: 2010 had the lowest car, truck or motorcycle wreck fatalities since 1949. In fact, nationwide, the number of crash deaths totaled 32,885 in 2010, compared to 33,883 in 2009 – a 4.5 percent decrease overall. In Texas specifically there was also a decline of 3.4 percent (slightly below the national average) which saw 106 fewer people killed on the roads than in 2009.
However, while the number of fatalities fell, the number of injuries actually rose slightly. In addition, there are a number of statistics which concern me as a trial attorney:
Overall, the NHTA’s report suggests that overall there was a 4.9 percent decrease in alcohol-related fatalities throughout the United States. Shockingly, however, there was a 13 percent increase in the number of deaths caused by commercial truck drivers who were intoxicated at the time of the collision.
After a one year decrease in motorcycle fatalities in 2009, 2010 returned to a 13 year trend which shows motorcyclist fatalities are on the rise. The fact that the number of motorcycle wreck injuries fell further demonstrates that when a motorcyclist is involved in a multi-vehicle collision they are more likely to be killed as a result of their injuries compared to all other classes of road users – especially if the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet.
Pedestrians who are hit by a moving vehicle generally suffer a range of extremely serious injuries ranging to amputation to blunt force trauma. Such accidents are regularly life-threatening and frequently fatal. In 2010, the NHTSA reports a national increase in pedestrian deaths of 19 percent, meaning 11,000 more pedestrians were killed throughout the US in 2010 compared to 2009. That’s huge.
As a DFW personal injury lawyer I represent accident victims and their family members regardless of how they have been hurt. If you or someone you love has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, call me today for a free consultation on your personal situation. Call me toll free at 800-354-6275 or locally in Ft. Worth at 817-294-1900. Alternatively, you may contact me online and an attorney will call you back as soon as possible.
