Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
According to officials with the National Safety Council (NSC), traffic accident fatalities reported across the nation saw a 5 percent decrease during the first 6 months of 2013, in comparison to the reported accidents during the same time in 2012.
In 2013, there were more than 16,600 people killed in traffic accidents from January through June. During this same time in 2012, there were more than 17,400 people killed.
Our Coral Springs car accident attorneys understand that the state of Florida also reported a decline and, however modest, a decline is good news. We saw a 7 percent decline in the number of reported traffic accident fatalities in the first half of 2013. Officials have yet to determine if the decrease was the cause of safer driving, safer vehicles or other unknown factors.
Not only are we losing lives here, but we’re also racking up costs. According to the NSC, motor vehicle accidents come with significant costs in lost wages and productivity, employer costs, medical expenses, administrative costs, and property damage. From January through July of 2013, the total estimated costs associated with these accidents were more than $125 billion.
In the breakdown of these accidents, we see that the state of Florida saw more than 1,000 motor vehicle accident fatalities during the first six months of 2013. During the same time in 2012, we saw close to 1,100 fatalities.
While this is good news, the fight is far from over. We need to take a step back and reexamine our driving habits to see where we could use a little improvement.
According to Drivers.com, the top causes for accidents are:
-Drunk Driving
-Speeding
-Distracted Driving
As you can see, these three top factors are all related to a driver’s behavior behind the wheel. With that being said, it’s clear that we need to focus our attention inward to help to combat this problem. It’s important that you never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol. Always have a designated driver to get you home in one piece.
It’s also important that we obey the posted speed limits. These limits are not here to slow us down, but to help to ensure our safety. The faster you are traveling — the higher your risks for an accident.
And lastly, distracted driving. With new technology, accessing the internet is easier than ever. But behind the wheel is no time for these activities. This includes phone calls and text messages. Driving safely required 100 percent of our attention — at all times.
If you or someone you love has been injured, contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp, & Gonzalez at 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.
More Blog Entries:
Is Florida Distracted in its Distracted Driving Battle?, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, August 8, 2013
Florida Teen Drivers Halfway Through 100 Deadliest Days, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, July 26, 2013