Newly Released Auto Accident Statistics Send Mixed Message

The National Safety Council released new traffic accident statistics that provide mixed signals. On the bright side, the data released indicates that the number of car accident fatalities declined in 2010. This decrease in accident fatality rates continues a trend of declining accident fatality rates over the last four-year period. However, there are also some discouraging signs in the data.

More than 34,700 people were killed in fatal traffic accidents during 2010, which represents a 3 percent decrease from 2009. While there has been a consistent downward trend in auto accident fatalities during the last four years, the rate of decline has been slowing. The most worrisome sign is that during the last quarter of 2010 the accident rate actually increased. This raises significant questions about whether vehicles, drivers and roadways are becoming safer or there are simply fewer miles being driven.

If someone you love has been involved in a fatal auto accident, we understand the grief and pain that you are experiencing. Our knowledgeable Georgia auto accident lawyers understand the legal hassles, insurance complications and financial worries that accompany a serious motor vehicle accident. We know that when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, these administrative matters are the last things on your mind. We help our clients by handling these issues so that our clients can deal with their grief and focus on helping their families recover from the trauma of the loss of a loved one. We work hard for our clients to obtain the best possible result, and have been helping families for over 39 years.

There have been a great many advances in vehicle safety standards that may explain the reduction in motor vehicle fatality rates. Some of these improvements include:

• Superior crashworthiness
• Improved roof strength ratings
• Anti-Lock brakes
• Additional air bags
• Electronic stabilization control
• Crash warning systems
• Backup camera systems

Along with improvements in vehicle safety features, stricter laws aimed at curbing dangerous driving practices are also credited with contributing to declining car accident fatality rates. Many of the most dangerous driving practices have become criminal offenses or have had more serious penalties assigned. Some legal measures that may have contributed to declining accident rates include:

• Stricter drunk driving penalties
• Graduated driver’s license programs for teen drivers
• Prohibitions on talking on a cell phone while driving
• Zero tolerance laws regarding alcohol for underage drivers
• Bans on texting while driving
• Use of traffic cameras to enforce red light violations

Despite these improvements in vehicle safety and traffic safety laws, some argue that the reduction in traffic fatality rates is deceiving. The rates seem to have declined as the economy stalled, which means that fewer drivers are on the road and fewer total miles are being driven. The increase in accident fatality rates during the last quarter of 2010 as the economy improved provides support for this theory. Those who believe that the reduction in traffic fatalities are simply a product of the current recession point to similar trends involving poor economic performance and reduced accident fatality rates in the past.

Ultimately, all we can do is try to keep making Georgia roadways safer with continued innovations in vehicle safety, stricter traffic safety laws and drivers taking personal responsibility for driving safer. If you have been seriously injured or you have lost a loved one in a serious motor vehicle accident, the experienced Atlanta auto accident attorneys and Georgia auto accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates are committed to obtaining the best possible outcome for our clients. We are dedicated to our goal of providing exemplary legal services as part of our ongoing commitment to being regarded as the top car accident attorneys in Atlanta and in all of Georgia.

Our experienced Atlanta Georgia car accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.