Fatal car accidents down in Ohio over Thanksgiving weekend

On Behalf of | Nov 27, 2012 | Car Accidents

Traffic fatality statistics offer a glimpse into the behavior of drivers and one area law enforcement always looks at is motor vehicle accidents and drunk driving citations over each and every holiday weekend. It seems the more time off American workers have the more likely we are to be involved in a car accident, or if we are lucky only pulled over for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. The good news over this past holiday weekend, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol is that fewer travelers were killed on Ohio’s roads when looking back over statistics in the past three years.

That may be good news indeed; however there are still 11 families who lost a loved one over this year’s Thanksgiving four-day weekend. Between 12:00 a.m. Wednesday morning and 11:59 p.m. Sunday evening 11 people lost their lives on Ohio roads. Although that figure is six fewer deaths than the same period last year, those statistics probably do not mean much to those families affected by these fatal crashes. In 2010, 18 people were killed in car accidents with 20 fatalities reported in 2009. More sobriety checkpoints and efforts at cracking down on drunk driving by law enforcement should help the trend continue.

The Ohio State Highway patrol also reported 459 arrests for DUI over the holiday weekend. One accident alone killed four people after they were ejected from the vehicle during a one-vehicle accident in Southwest Ohio’s Warren County. Police suspect alcohol was a factor in that crash. One other statistic that shows there may be another way to reduce the number of fatalities that result from car accidents is an even easier fix – use your seatbelt. Of the 11 people killed on our state’s roads last weekend, none of them were wearing their seatbelt.

There was no report on the number of accidents or the number of injuries related to car accidents, however when looking at the fatalities there were no doubt a number of seriously injured victims this past weekend. Whether alcohol plays a role or people are simply distracted while driving, a negligent driver can and should be held accountable for any damages incurred as a result of their actions. A wrongful death or personal injury claim may be appropriate in some of these accidents over the holiday weekend. A civil claim will not undue what has already been done, but it may offer some remedy for picking up the pieces after a tragic accident.

Source: WFMG NBC, “Ohio traffic fatalities down from previous 3 years,” Nov. 26, 2012

Our Cincinnati, Ohio law firm helps families and individuals who have been injured or killed in a fatal car accident recover damages, including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering, when appropriate.

  • Avvo Top Contributor 2015 Car Accident
  • BBB Rating A+ as of 12/22/2017 Click for Profile

Archives

Archives