U.S. Sees 10% Increase in Deaths on Roadways

Accident Lawyer Brooklyn NY representing Injured Victims of Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 18,000 people died on U.S. roads in the first six months of 2016. This is a 10% increase in the number of deaths from the same months in 2015. Experts are concerned because if this trend continues through the rest of 2016, the U.S. will see the largest increase in traffic fatalities in the past 50 years.

Why Are Fatalities Up?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration attributes the increase in fatalities to the increased numbers of cars on the roads and the miles cars travel. Both of these numbers are up because more Americans are back at work — and back to commuting — following the economic downturn. It is estimated that American drove 50.5 billion miles more in the first six months of 2016 than in the first six months of 2015.

Experts also believe that the increased speed limits play a role in the death numbers. Even though there are programs to reduce roadway fatalities in place, these statistics paint a gloomy picture about the safety of travel.

What To Do If You Have Been Involved in a Car Accident?

If you have been injured in a car accident in New York, or a loved one has died in a car accident, you could be entitled to compensation for a number of injuries. Not only can you be compensated for your medical bills and pain and suffering, but there are other categories of injury-related losses that the law recognizes. Some of these categories include:

  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of consortium
  • Scarring or disfigurement

Additionally, if your loved one has died in a roadway accident, you could bring a wrongful death suit. This is a type of suit that is meant to compensate close family members for their losses when a loved one dies.

Each case is different, and it is best to consult an experienced Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyer as soon as possible. One thing that is for sure is that with the increased numbers of cars on the road and the increased number of miles they travel, you could be at a greater risk for getting into a car accident.

Auto Accident Attorney of The Rybak Firm, PLLC., can Help You

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