It may surprise you to learn that traffic accidents kill at least as many people every year as guns do. In fact, many call it a car crash epidemic. Driving is the most dangerous thing that most of us do on a regular basis, and it’s more dangerous than you may realize. If another driver’s negligence leaves you or your loved one injured, reach out to an experienced car collision attorney in Corpus Christi, Texas for the legal guidance you’re looking for.
What’s In This Guide
- Car Accident Statistics vs Gun Deaths
- The Statistics for Gun Deaths
- Your Car Accident Claim and the Insurance Company
Car Accident Statistics vs Gun Deaths
According to VOX – as backed up by governmental statistics – car accidents kill at a rate that is similar to guns (when deaths by suicide involving a gun are factored in), and they seriously injure many, many more. VOX describes traffic accidents in the United States as an epidemic that somehow got worse during the pandemic (even as driving rates decreased). The fact is that traffic fatalities have spiked. Let’s take a closer look at the car accident statistics for 2020, including:
- In 2020, 42,060 people lost their lives in car accidents, which is up from 39,107 in 2019 (according to preliminary numbers from the National Safety Council, NSC).
- The number of miles traveled in 2020 decreased by 13 percent over 2019, which makes this the overall number of deaths per miles driven the most significant surge in traffic fatalities for almost a century.
- From January to June of 2021, traffic fatalities increased by 16 percent over the same period in 2020 (according to NSC).
- The State of Texas and New York City both reported sharp increases in traffic fatalities during these time periods.
While driving was down due to the pandemic, traffic fatalities went up, and experts theorize that the decrease in traffic emboldened motorists to drive at death defying speeds.
The global research organization OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) ranked the United States among the worst nations in terms of car fatality rates. While most of our peer nations have demonstrated a decisive downward trend in terms of car fatalities over the last 20 years, we’ve failed to do so. Belgium, France, Spain, and the Czech Republic all had car fatality rates that were comparable to ours in 2000, but they have all since decreased their rates by more than half. While our rates have also gone down, they haven’t kept up with these other nation, and they are showing signs of heading in the wrong direction.
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The Statistics for Gun Deaths
According to the Pew Research Center (based on data culled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and beyond), 45,222 people died from gun related injuries in 2020. This is the most gun deaths on record for any one year and represents a 19 percent increase over 2019, a 25 percent increase over 5 years prior, and a 43 percent increase over 10 years prior. This number includes deaths by suicide that involved guns, and in 2020, 54 percent of all the gun-related deaths were deaths by suicide. This means that you are significantly more likely to be killed in a car accident than you are to be killed by gun violence or gun accidents in the United States. Additional statistics related to gun deaths include:
- Of all the murders in 2020, 79 percent involved a firearm, which represents the highest percentage on record.
- A bit over half of all deaths by suicide in 2020 involved a gun, which has remained a steady rate over recent years.
- Murders involving guns have increased precipitously in recent years. The number of gun-related murders in 2020 was the highest number since at least 1968, and it exceeded the prior 1993 peak.
- Deaths by suicide involving guns is also on the rise and is nearing its highest peak on record. The number of these deaths by suicide in 2020 is 10 percent higher than 5 years prior and is 25 percent higher than 10 years prior.
While gun deaths are up and on the rise, they fail to compete with traffic fatality statistics (when deaths by suicide involving guns are subtracted from the totals).
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Your Car Accident Claim and the Insurance Company
If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, you’ll need to recover on your physical, financial, and emotional losses in order to reach your most complete recovery, but doing so is likely to be challenging. The fact of the matter is that the insurance company is heavily invested in its bottom line, which means that it will do what it can to keep your settlement low. Be on the lookout for the following common tactics:
- Early Settlement Offer – While an early settlement offer may seem like a huge relief (you’re facing considerable medical bills and lost earnings after all), it’s unlikely to adequately address your complete losses.
- Early Claims Denial – Sometimes insurance companies deny claims early on in an attempt to scare claimants off. The law will ultimately determine if you are entitled to compensation (not the insurance company). If your attorney supports your claim, you should as well.
- Denial of Losses – The insurance company may cast doubt on the extent of the losses included in your claim. This is a matter, however, that can be backed up by evidence.
- Shift in Fault – The insurance company handling your claim may take a stab at shifting fault away from its policyholder and toward you. This, again, will be established by the facts and relevant evidence.
Look to an Experienced Texas Car Accident Attorney for Professional Legal Guidance Today
Fatal car accident rates are reaching new highs, and the trend is not losing steam. If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, obtaining fair compensation is critical, and the accomplished Texas car accident attorneys at The Patel Firm are well prepared to harness their impressive experience in pursuit of your claim’s optimal outcome. For more information about how we can help, please don’t put off contacting or calling us at 361-400-2036 today.
