A February 2017 article in The New York Times reported sobering, if not shocking, statistics: more than 40,000 people died in motor vehicle accidents in 2016, a 6 percent increase over 2015 and the highest total since 2007. Even more disheartening was that the 2016 total outpaced the 2014 total by 14 percent, making the two-year gain the largest in more than 50 years. Texas is no stranger to roadway crashes, especially as its Department of Transportation found the state’s number of motor vehicle deaths toppled 3,500 in 2015.
If your loved one was, unfortunately, the victim of a Texas fatal crash, then contact The Krist Law Firm, P.C. at (281) 283-8500. Our Houston fatal crash lawyers can help you obtain compensation for your losses.
Texas Fatal Crash Numbers on the Rise
New technologies over the past 10 years have actually made cars safer. They include rearview cameras to see what may be hidden out of sight of a mirror alone, airbags to protect a driver and a passenger during a crash, and anti-skid systems. Despite these best efforts in addition to public safety announcements that warn against bad behaviors like texting while driving, the number of vehicle fatalities continues to rise.
In fact, Texas has witnessed this uptick since 2012. The number of fatal crashes in the state each year had steadily dropped between 2009 and 2011, decreasing 2 percent (3,122 versus 3,067). The trend reversed, however, in 2012, when the total number of fatal crashes surged 11 percent to 3,417. That again jumped to 3,536 in 2014, an increase of 3 percent over the two-year period. Using the National Safety Council’s Average Economic Cost on a per-death basis figure, the economic loss of all motor vehicle crashes skyrocketed 81 percent ($21 billion versus $38 billion) from 2003 to 2015.
Probable Causes of the Increase in Fatal Crashes
The rebound following the economic recession is one reason thought to have led to the upswing in fatal crashes. This is because people drive more miles for both work and pleasure, which means more vehicles are on the road at any given time. In addition, distractions like phones with advanced voice controls and iPods docked in built-in ports cause drivers to take their eyes off the road, not to mention mobile applications like Facebook and Google Maps. And, simply talking while driving, even if hands-free, divides attention and can lead to a crash. Of course, driving while drunk and failure to buckle up continue to contribute to fatalities, too.
Contact Houston Fatal Crash Lawyers for Help
A driver’s negligence can take your loved one away from you, and while nothing will ease that pain, we can help you get the compensation that will allow you to focus on healing and moving forward with your life. The Krist Law Firm, P.C. can protect you and your rights if this happens. Call us at (281) 283-8500 to schedule a free consultation.