Number of people killed in auto accidents rose in 2012

March 20, 2013

For the first time in seven years, the number of fatalities caused by motor vehicle accidents in the United States rose last year. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 36,200 people died in auto accidents across the country in 2012. This represented a 5 percent increase from the number of traffic fatalities in 2011 -- an increase that has not been seen since 2005.

At the same time that the number of traffic fatalities rose, the combined cost of fatalities, personal injuries and property damage caused by motor vehicle accidents also increased in 2012. The cost is estimated to have risen by 5 percent from 2011. In total, the National Safety Council predicts that over $276.5 billion was needed in 2012 to pay for a variety of motor vehicle accident consequences, including:
- Medical expenses
- Motor vehicle repairs
- Lost wages
- Insurance costs

The suspected reasons for this increase in fatal auto accidents may come as a surprise. According to some experts, including the vice president of the National Safety Council, the recovering economy likely played a part in the rise in traffic fatalities.

As more people went back to work, the number of people on the road increased. In fact, according to the Federal Highway Administration, the number of miles driven by Americans from January through September of 2012 increased by 0.6 percent -- for a total of 14.2 billion more miles than during the same period in 2011.

In addition, winters with milder weather actually tend to lead to an increase in the number of traffic fatalities. When the weather is at its worst, there tend to be fewer drivers on the road, as people try to avoid the dangerous conditions. When the weather is mild, though, more motorists are likely to drive, leading to a higher likelihood of auto accidents.

Experts are also placing blame on distracted drivers and law enforcement officials for the rise in traffic fatalities. The number of people killed in distracted driving accidents rose in 2011. In addition, the vice president of the National Safety Council stated that police officers are not citing motorists for speeding in sufficient numbers. According to the NSC, speeding is a factor in approximately one-third of all deadly motor vehicle accidents.

Prevent serious auto accidents in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the state was not immune from the rise in traffic fatalities during 2012. CDOT reported that the first four months of 2012 saw a 19 percent rise in the number of traffic fatalities on Colorado's roadways from the same period in 2011. During that period, 127 people were killed in motor vehicle accidents in Colorado.

The rise in traffic fatalities led Colorado police to focus on ensuring occupants of vehicles wore seatbelts while on the road and that drivers refrained from consuming alcohol prior to getting behind the wheel. In 2011, 60 percent of the people killed in motor vehicle accidents in Colorado were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. In addition, 41 percent of the traffic fatalities involved drivers who were under the influence of alcohol.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Colorado, consulting with a skilled personal injury attorney will ensure your rights are protected.

Article provided by D. Chadwick Calvert, LLC
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