Risks for car accidents in New York City and elsewhere are a lot higher than you may think!
As a matter of fact, your risks for an accident are 12 percent higher than they were just a year ago. According to preliminary statistics from the National Safety Council (NSC), there was a steep increase in the number of car accidents during the first 3 months of 2012 compared to the first 3 months of 2011.
During this time in 2011, there were roughly 7,300 car accident fatalities nationwide. During this time in 2012, there were a recorded 8,200. The increase in roadway fatalities is worrying officials and they’re working to pinpoint the exact cause so that they can make the proper adjustments to help to bring it back down.
There are a number of things that experts believe could have caused the increase. One is the improving economy. Many believe that the dropping gas prices are helping more residents to get on the road and take that vacation that they’ve missed out on in recent years. With a higher total of vehicle miles traveled, we typically see higher risks for car accidents, injuries and fatalities. Another option could be the calm winter season we just saw. With mild weather, more residents were able to get out on the road and visit friends and family members during the winter season instead of staying bundled up in their home.
Our New York car accident attorneys understand that we’re walking into some serious risks for accidents, not only with the recent spike but also because we’re heading into the heart of the summer travel season. For this reason, we’re asking all drivers to be cautious on our roadways and to keep safety as a number on priority. Safe and responsible driving habits can be your best defense against an accident on our roadways.
“The Council will be keeping a close eye on our monthly traffic fatality estimates to discern if this increase is just a temporary blip,” said Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council.
These accidents were awfully costly, too. According to the NSC, motor vehicle-related fatalities, injuries and property damage ran up a bill of about $255 billion in 2011. Included in these costs were administrative expenses, medical expenses, employer costs and a loss in both wages and productivity.
Drivers are asked to be extremely careful on our roadways over the next few months as this is when we see some of the highest risks. During the summer travel season, residents and visitors will be hitting our roadways zooming off to their vacation destinations. Drivers should keep safety as a number one priority, drive defensively, always buckle up and to be responsible behind the wheel. Your safe driving habits can help to keep you out of a potentially fatal car accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact New York City injury attorneys at Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC to schedule a free appointment to discuss your rights. Call 718-261-0546.
More Blog Entries:
Can You be Held Liable for Knowingly Letting Another Drive Drunk in New York? The Court Answers this in Gushlaw v Miller, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, May 17, 2012
New York Personal Injury Watch: McIlroy v. Gibson’s Says that Causation in Motorcycle Accidents Can be Analyzed Broadly, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, May 15, 2012
