Higher than average traffic fatalities for California in 2012

May 14, 2013 (Press-News.org) Higher than average traffic fatalities for California in 2012

Article provided by Biren Katzman Trial Lawyers
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Our nation's roads can be a very dangerous place. Some, however, are definitely more hazardous than others. Take, for example, the case of California. In 2012, the Golden State had one of the highest number of fatal car accidents in the country.

Nationwide car accidents increase

A recent report released by the U.S. government shows that the year 2012 saw an unprecedented spike in deaths resulting from vehicular traffic accidents. These fatalities increased nine percent in the first half of 2012 -- the largest recorded increase in traffic fatalities since the government began keeping track in 1975. Previously, the highest six-month increase was a 6.4 percent in 1979. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that this increase accounted for a tragic 16,290 deaths throughout the year. While experts and officials are still unsure what caused the spike in traffic accident fatalities, it has been speculated that an increase of cars and trucks on the road played a part. The Federal Highway Administration recently reported that Americans traveled 15.6 billion more miles in the first half of 2012 than they had in 2011.

Fatalities in California

In 2011, when the national rate of fatal car accidents was at a six-decade low, the rate of deaths from vehicular accidents in the state of California remained one of the highest in the nation. Although traffic accidents decreased in 36 states in 2011, they increased in California by 2.6 percent, earning the state the dubious distinction of having the second highest rate of vehicle-related fatalities in the country. And in more bad news, a recent study revealed that pedestrian accidents made up about one third of traffic fatalities in California, putting the pedestrian fatality rate at three times the national average. Since this information became public knowledge, the Los Angeles government has taken action to protect the safety of the city's walkers by hiring a new pedestrian coordinator who will initiate programs to prevent these accidents.

Relief for car accident victims

If you have been injured in a car accident or someone you love has been killed, you do have options to hold accountable the driver and/or others (those who failed maintain the vehicle, service the vehicle, etc.) whose negligence was a cause of the accident. If you have a personal injury or wrongful death case, a judge or jury can find negligent parties liable for your economic losses and pain and suffering. To get professional advice about the strength of your case and your best course of action, talk with an attorney who specializes in and has a proven track record of handling substantial injury personal injury cases.