Car Accidents in 2020

Car Accidents in 2020

The year 2020 was an outlier in many ways. The pandemic changed life for almost everyone. While most people were practicing social distancing, many were still traveling on roadways and believe it or not car accidents in 2020 increased year-over-year.

The statistics for car accidents and injuries for last year are only now becoming available. In this post, we will examine some of the trends in car accidents in 2020 and injuries from 2020.  

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident in Arizona, you may have the right to seek compensation. Contact a Phoenix personal injury lawyer to determine the legal liability for your car accident.

Fatalities and Injuries From Car Accidents in 2020

Research from the National Safety Council indicates that car accident fatalities were up last year. In fact, more than 42,000 people were fatally injured in car accidents in 2020. 

These deaths mark an 8% increase from the number of fatal collisions in 2019. This is the highest increase in a single year that the NSC has recorded in nearly a century. The last similar year-to-year increase was in 1924.

This increase in car accidents in 2020 is very surprising because Americans significantly reduced their motor vehicle travel during the last year. Some researchers argue that this data highlights the nation’s lack of effective roadway safety.

This new data is only preliminary. Traffic fatality numbers for car accidents in 2020 will be updated as time goes on. 

However, not all collisions result in fatal injuries. Many more drivers sustain non-fatal injuries each year. In 2020, nearly five million Americans were seriously injured in traffic collisions. If you have been injured in a car accident, you are not alone.

Proposed Steps for Traffic Safety

With the increase in traffic fatalities, many have proposed updated measures to promote traffic safety. These include:

Fair Implementation

Some American communities are disproportionately affected by car accidents in 2020 including, injuries, and fatalities. Implementing equitable safety procedures and infrastructure investments would help to boost traffic safety.

Preventing Drunk Driving

Another possible safety measure is mandatory ignition locks for those who have been convicted of drunk driving. Also, lower legal blood alcohol limits and better education would help drivers to be safer and could have prevented at least some car accidents in 2020.

Speed Limits

Lowering speed limits reliably brings traffic collisions and fatalities down.

Cell Phones

Many traffic safety researchers have suggested banning all cell phone use. Digital device usage was one of the leading causes of car accidents in 2020.

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Requiring motorcyclists to wear approved headgear has been proven to save lives.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

Many policymakers argue for comprehensive programs to support bicyclist and pedestrian safety. These may include designated bike lanes and walking paths.

Seat Belts

Many seat-belt laws are overly lenient. Enforcing seat belt laws for drivers and passengers will make roadways safer.

These are only a few of the possible strategies to improve road traffic safety that could have prevented some car accidents in 2020.

If you have suffered an injury because of someone else’ negligent driving, contact a Phoenix personal injury lawyer. You should not bear the financial burdens from your injuries alone. 

How a Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Following a car accident, it is important to secure competent legal representation. Many car accidents in 2020 were the result of negligent or careless driving.

When someone’s negligence results in injuries to another person, the victim can seek financial recovery. With the help of an accomplished attorney, victims can secure compensation for:

Medical Bills

This is one of the main financial costs that most car accident victims faced in car accidents in 2020. Medical expenses include:

• Ambulance rides
• Hospitalization
• Necessary prosthetic
• Prescription medications
• Physician appointments
• Surgeries
• Rehabilitation costs

In short, these types of damages include any medical costs that you sustain as the result of a traffic accident.

Income Loss

Car accident victims can seek compensation for the income that they lost as a result of their injuries. If you have been unable to work while recovering from an injury, you deserve financial recovery.

Loss of Consortium

Many car accidents result in fatal injuries. When someone dies as the result of another person’s negligence, the victim’s family has the right to seek compensation for their financial and emotional losses.

These are only a few types of compensation in car accident cases. Speak with an attorney to determine the value of your personal injury case.

Contact a Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, do not wait. Contact the accomplished team of accident attorneys at the ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS.

Our skilled accident lawyers are ready to fight for compensation for victims of car accidents in 2020. Fill out our convenient contact form to discuss the facts of your case. At the ELG ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS, every client matters.

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