Here and across the U.S., auto accident injuries and fatalities happen all-too frequently. There are many perceived causes for these collisions and law enforcement is constantly seeking strategies to reduce their number. Included in these causes are a distracted driver and a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. For people who have been hurt in a crash or lost a loved one, it is important to consider how and why it happened as they think about what steps to take in the aftermath.
With the start of a new year, law enforcement and legislators are cognizant of the dangers drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and anyone else on the state roadways might face. This has led to an effort to crack down on risky behaviors. There was a rise in road fatalities during the Christmas season. In 2019, there was an increase in road deaths overall with more than 1,140 fatalities. This is not as bad as it was in 2017, but when compared to 2018, there was a 7 percent increase.
Certain areas in the state — like Cuyahoga County — had 18 more fatalities in 2019 than it did in 2018. Thirty-eight percent were because of a driver who was operating a vehicle while impaired. In the last week in December, there were 12 fatalities in eight collisions. That is an increase of one for that time-period in 2018. Distracted driving is said to be a partial cause of this spike. OVI, distracted driving and speeding are referenced by law enforcement as a reason for the increase.
Law enforcement uses intricate data to determine where the danger areas are and how to lower the chance of accidents. Officers who were stationed in known speeding areas allegedly saw drivers significantly exceeding the speed limit by more than 20-mph. Even when officers make a traffic stop, drivers fail to adhere to the move over law requiring they slow down or move for emergency vehicles.
Despite attempts on the part of law enforcement and legislators to address the problems that are known to contribute to car accidents, drivers will likely continue to behave in ways that place themselves and others in jeopardy. An auto accident can cause personal, professional and financial problems to those who were injured. A family left behind after a car crash must consider how they will get beyond what happened and move forward. A crash reconstruction is key to recovering compensation.
