The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced that the number of overall fatal car accidents reported in 2008 hit their lowest level since 1961.  Also wrongful deaths totals from car accidents have also declined in the first three months of 2009.

As auto accident lawyers, we are thrilled at these new car accident statistics because we know that many automobile accidents injuries are preventable if drivers simply obeyed the rules of the road.  Perhaps these new statistics show that people are more likely to take necessary precautions when driving in order to prevent a car accident from occurring.

The new data documenting 2008 placed the highway wrongful death count at 37,261 — a 9.7 percent decrease from 2007.  The car accident fatality rate for 2008 was 1.27 persons per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) which is about seven percent below the rate of 1.36 recorded for 2007.

Declines occurred in virtually every major car accident category, the most occuring in passenger car occupant wrongful deaths.  That wrongful death statistic dropped for the sixth year in a row.  Drunk-driving fatalities in 2008 also declined by more than nine percent than 2007.

Continuing this trend, the January-March 2009 estimate of 7,689 wrongful deaths represents a nine percent decline from a year ago.  The 2008 annual statistics did report, however, that fatal motorcycle accidents increased for the 11th straight year and now account for 14 percent of all highway fatalities.

While this new data is promising the startling reality is that car accidents kill thousands of people a each year and injure many more.  While the harsh reality is that car accidents will never go away there are many ways you can help prevent one from happening.

  1. Try to avoid distractions while driving such as cell phone usage as distracted driving is one of the top causes of car accidents.
  2. Do not speed.  Not only is it against the law, speeders have a high chance of causing a car accident with severe injuries.
  3. Do not run a red light or stop sign.
  4. Do not drive under the influence of alcohol.  Drinking impairs your senses and results in decreased muscle coordination and slower reaction times.

As car accident attorneys, we urge all drivers to obey traffic laws.  By merely obeying the rules of the road you will likely prevent a car accident from happening.

Call us now at 1-858-551-2090 or click here for a FREE CONSULTATION with an experienced car accident lawyer as to how we may help you.  We look forward to providing good advice to help you make smart decisions about your case in either English or Spanish.