Highway fatalities went up in early 2021 despite fewer vehicles being on the road. According to statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 8,730 people nationwide were killed in fatal highway accidents during the first quarter of 2021 — a 10.5 percent increase from the first quarter of 2020, which was just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Why did this happen? Driver negligence appears to be the major cause. Accident data analysts observe that the empty roads in the early months of 2021 permitted riskier driving behavior. With less traffic, motorists seem to have felt empowered to drive faster and less carefully. Many drivers also failed to wear seatbelts while engaged in dangerous driving, which contributed to the increase in fatalities.
Driver negligence leading to accidents or fatality can consist of:
If you suffered injuries or the loss of a loved one in a car crash caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover your damages by bringing an auto accident injury lawsuit. However, there are a number of steps you should take immediately after an accident to protect your health as well as your legal rights. You should do the following:
The skilled and experienced New Jersey auto accident attorneys at Siegel Law can help you obtain the maximum compensation to which you’re entitled for your injuries. Call 201-444-4000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation in our Ridgewood office.