Posted: January 10, 2020
Deadly motor vehicle accidents turn your family's lives upside down. You've lost a loved one in a crash, and your grief is made worse by the fact that the crash was someone else's fault. It is these types of cases in which our attorneys witness the most grief. Knowing that the crash that killed your loved one was preventable is frustrating. We're here to stand at your side to pursue justice on your behalf.
Preliminary Data Show a Falling Trend
Preliminary data show a 2.2 percent reduction in fatal crashes in the U.S., in the first 9 months of 2019, compared to the first 9 months of 2018. This data is compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
About 26,730 people died in motor vehicle accidents through September 30, 2019. According to the NHTSA, the third quarter of 2019 was the 8th consecutive year-to-year quarterly decline in fatalities since the fourth quarter of 2017.
While these preliminary numbers are promising, we must remember that more work remains to be done. If we are to get as close to 0 crash fatalities as possible, it's important to regularly revisit the most common causes of these crashes and how we can prevent them.
Common Causes of Fatal Wrecks
Any number of factors can contribute to a motor vehicle accident. Some risk factors are beyond our control, but not all of them. While you may not be able to do anything about an Act of God scenario, such as a tree falling into the road in front of you, there are other driving behaviors fully within a motorist's control:
- Speeding
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Distraction
- Texting
- Aggressive driving
These behaviors may be considered negligence. Negligence is carelessness on the part of a motorist. It means he or she is failing to fulfill the basic duty of care every motorist assumes when they get behind the wheel. If they are careless and cause an accident as a result, you have a right to pursue compensation in a claim handled by our experienced and compassionate lawyers.
Unfortunately, you really can't do anything to control the behavior of other motorists. You can drive defensively and stay alert, so that you may be able to evade drunk and careless drivers you encounter on the road. We believe negligent drivers who injure and kill other people ought to be held accountable. We put all of our skill, networks, resources and experience to work for our clients. We want each family affected by this type of wrongful death to obtain some peace of mind from a monetary award that compensates them for their grief and their loved one's end-of-life expenses.
Do You Know What to Do after an Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, or if a family member perished as the result of an accident caused by someone else's negligence, please call the experienced Omaha and Norfolk car accident lawyers at Copple, Rockey, McKeever & Schlecht, at 402-371-4300. We will listen to the details of your case and let you know what your options are for pursuing justice for your loved one.
