Car accidents have been a problem for as long as the car has been around. Despite consistent, and oftentimes aggressive efforts, the fact of the matter is that serious car wrecks continue to occur, leaving innocent motorists with serious injuries. Part of this continuation is caused by new and unexpected problems, such as distracted driving caused by cell phone usage, while other factors have been around for a long time, such as drunk driving. To see just how big of a problem these wrecks are, one need only look at recent statistics in Arizona.
According to a recently released study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of fatal car accidents within the state increased by more than seven percent in 2016. That’s an increase of nearly 100 fatal crashes. This is in line with national statistics, which showed that there were more than 2,000 more deadly car accidents in 2016 than in 2015. This was the largest increase in fatal accidents since the 1960s.
One bright spot in the study was that Arizona actually saw a decrease in drunk driving accidents, which are down 14 percent from 2015. This actually bucks the national trend, which saw a nearly two percent increase in alcohol-related deaths. It’s hard to tell what allowed Arizona to see a decrease while the rest of the nation saw a decrease, but it remains troubling that 232 people died last year in drunk driving wrecks.
Those who are injured or lose a loved one in a crash caused by the negligence of another need to carefully consider their next steps. If they choose to take legal action, and do so competently, then they may be able to recover compensation for their losses. This may mean receiving money for medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost wages. Additionally, a successful wrongful death lawsuit may bring a family much needed closure. To learn more about one’s legal options, it may be imperative to discuss the matter with an experienced legal professional.
