The last couple of years have thrown a lot at the world. Unfortunately, it appears that deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents spiked in the first half of this year, despite more people working from home. According to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 20,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the period from January to June, 2021. This is an 18.4 percent increase compared to the first half of 2020, according to the NHTSA. The agency reports that the spike in 2021 is the biggest six-month increase in the NHTSA’s history of the Fatality Analysis System. Vehicle miles traveled also increased, by 173.1 billion miles, which is a 13 percent rise.
We should all do our part to prevent these tragic accidents. Here are some of the ways you can do so:
- Wear a seat belt and insist all of your passengers wear seat belts
- Don’t drive distracted, which includes texting, reading texts, and using a phone
- Don’t speed
- Don’t drive drunk, buzzed, or under the influence of drugs
- Be alert to the possible presence of pedestrians in or near the roadway
The majority of car accidents are caused by human error. When a car accident victim’s death is caused by someone else’s negligence, then eligible family members may pursue a wrongful death claim. These cases provide a means of holding the responsible party accountable. When a monetary award is won in a wrongful death case, it provides compensation for damages including loss of the loved one’s income, medical bills, burial/cremation expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of the loved one’s benefits.
Pursue Justice with the Help of an Experienced Attorney
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Atlanta or the surrounding areas, please call the law firm of attorney Laurie Robbins at 404-252-8117. If a loved one was killed in a crash caused by someone else’s carelessness, then you may have a wrongful death claim, in which you can pursue justice and compensation for all of the damages caused by the passing of your loved one.