Why Are Car Accidents Becoming More Common in the United States?

 Posted on March 25, 2024 in Car Accidents

For most of the past several decades, roadway safety was a positive trend, and the number of people killed in car accidents steadily decreased from year to year. However, this trend has reversed over the past few years, and car accidents resulting in injuries and deaths have begun to increase. Between 2020 and 2021, the total number of accidents increased 16 percent, and in 2021, nearly 43,000 people died in car crashes. The number of accidents has continued to increase, to the point that government officials are calling it a public health crisis.

There are a number of possible reasons for the frightening trend of more car accidents, more serious injuries, and more deaths. While city and state governments throughout the country, as well as federal auto industry regulators, are looking to take action to address this issue, people who have been affected will need to determine their options. Fortunately, car accident victims can work with an attorney to recover compensation that will address the financial losses they have suffered, as well as the ways they have been personally affected by injuries or the wrongful death of a family member.

Reasons for Increasing Car Accident and Injury Rates

Some researchers have attributed the increased levels of danger on the roads to higher levels of stress experienced by Americans. For many people, these stress levels began to rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a great deal of anxiety. However, stress has not subsided in the subsequent years, and numerous other issues, such as job insecurity, political instability, and a general sense of unhappiness, have led people to take more risks while on the road. 

Stress and anger have also led to an increase in aggressive driving behaviors such as tailgating, illegal passing, illegal turns, and running red lights. Surveys have shown that more people are admitting to shouting or making rude gestures at other drivers, engaging in activities like tailgating, or even acting with intent to damage other vehicles. These behaviors have led to more accidents, with around 56 percent of all fatal accidents involving aggressive driving.

The ongoing issues with stress, anxiety, and related emotional concerns have also led to increased rates of drunk driving. People may self-medicate by using alcohol or drugs, and when they get behind the wheel while they are intoxicated, they will be much more likely to be involved in accidents in which others are injured or killed. Currently, nearly 10 percent of all criminal arrests nationwide occur due to suspected driving under the influence (DUI).

Ongoing issues related to distracted driving continue to be a factor that has contributed to car accidents. Drivers struggle to refrain from checking their smartphones while behind the wheel, and texting, making calls, or other activities that take their attention away from the road can significantly increase the chances of car accidents. Distracted driving is responsible for around 3,500 fatal traffic accidents every year.

Contact Our Santa Clara County Car Accident Attorney

While government officials and public safety advocates are aware of these trends and are hoping to take action to improve roadway safety, many people are still affected by car accidents. Those who suffer serious injuries or are affected by the death of a family member will need to understand their legal options. 

At Law Office of John J. Garvey, III, we work with car crash victims and their families to ensure that they can recover compensation for their financial losses and other damages they have suffered. Our compassionate San Jose car accident lawyer is ready to fight aggressively to ensure that distracted drivers, drunk drivers, aggressive drivers, and other negligent parties will be held responsible for causing harm. To set up a free consultation and get legal help with your case, contact us today at 408-293-7777.