Georgia motorists may have heard that U.S. traffic fatalities exceeded 40,000 again in 2018, according to a report by the National Safety Council. However, overall motor vehicle crash deaths dropped slightly across the country.
The report states that more than 40,000 people were killed in car crashes in 2018, making it the third year in a row that traffic deaths have topped that number. However, the total represents a 1 percent decrease from the 40,231 deaths reported in 2017. In Georgia, car accident deaths fell by 2 percent last year. As for injuries, approximately 4.5 million Americans were seriously hurt in car accidents in 2018, which is an uptick of 1 percent over the previous year.
Safety experts believe that increased use of cellphones and other mobile devices is partly to blame for the recent spike in U.S. traffic deaths. However, technology may also hold the key to reversing the trend. Studies have shown that advanced vehicle safety features like automatic emergency braking systems can significantly reduce the risk of getting into certain types of car accidents. Once such technology comes standard in more new vehicles, U.S. road deaths may start to dip downward again.
Distracted driving car wrecks can cause catastrophic injuries that can sometimes be fatal. Victims of distracted drivers may wish to discuss their case with a personal injury attorney. The attorney could visit the accident scene, interview witnesses and obtain police reports in an effort to prove the distracted driver is legally liable for the crash. As a result, the victim could be awarded compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage. Families who lose loved ones to distracted drivers could also pursue compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit.