According to information provided by the federal government, 42,915 road users died while traveling throughout the country in 2021. This was a 10.5% increase from the previous year and the highest rate since 2005. This increase is in spite of the fact that cars built today are safer than those manufactured in previous decades.
Driver habits are partially to blame
Driving while distracted by a cellphone may significantly increase the chances of being involved in a motor vehicle accident. It may also make it more likely that you’re involved in a crash that causes severe bodily injury or death. This is because you probably won’t stop, slow down or take other evasive maneuvers if you don’t even know that a collision is imminent. Failing to stop or slow down means that greater amounts of energy are transferred at the point of impact, which enhances the severity of the accident.
Cars are getting bigger and more powerful
In recent years, SUVs and trucks have become increasingly popular among consumers. These vehicles tend to be heavier than standard passenger cars, which also means that they exert greater force when colliding with another car or person. Furthermore, SUVs are taller than typical passenger vehicles and may strike pedestrians in the ribs or stomach as opposed to the legs or waist. This may result in damage to internal organs that might cause a victim to die if aid isn’t administrated fast enough.
If you’re hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation to pay medical bills or to recoup lost wages. However, this is only true if you can prove that another party was negligent in allowing the crash to occur. In some cases, multiple parties will be liable for damages.