Increase in Car Crashes and Deaths Since Pandemic

It was no surprise that during the mandatory shutdown last year, the number of cars on the road decreased. You would think that the number of fatal car accidents would have decreased last year due to the limited number of cars in traffic.

Yet, recent surveys from traffic experts have shown that there has been a surge in the number of fatal car accidents and deaths. Even more alarming, the number of fatal car accidents and deaths increased in 2020, a year where the number of cars travelling on the roadways was reduced significantly.

What the numbers showed

The National Safety Council (NSC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths in homes and communities. According to a preparatory estimate from the NSC, car accidents were responsible for killing 42,060 people in 2020. This was a significant increase from the number of people who were killed from car accidents in 2019, which was 39,107.

What was even more astounding was that this increase occurred even though the number of miles travelled by cars decreased by 13 percent last year. The NSC categorized this increase as the largest single-year spike in nearly a century for car fatalities, and the organization predicts that the numbers of 2021 will not fare any better. Just between January and June of this year, the NSC revealed that there was a 16 percent increase in car fatalities compared to the same time period last year.

Did fatal car accidents increase in Maryland?

Yes, they did. WTOP News reports that “overall, despite fewer drivers on the road, a total of 569 people were killed on Maryland roadways last year — an increase of 6.4% — according to the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.” Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities also increased.

What is the deciding factor in car accidents and deaths?

Several traffic experts believe that the reduction of cars on the road made drivers more reckless. Because there were fewer cars on the road, drivers engaged in riskier behaviors like speeding, driving without a seat belt, and driving while under the influence. Driver distraction also remained high.

But of all these negligent acts, it is speeding that has potentially contributed the most to wrecks. Per AP News, “traffic data indicates the higher death toll was related to higher average speeds in conjunction with more of those on the roads driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol and a slight decline in seatbelt use.”

And the speeds are excessive. News reports from states all over the country spoke of drivers speeding in excess of 100mph last year. A collision at that rate of speed will almost certainly be deadly, and the injuries can be catastrophic. Speed is the factor that determines life or death, especially with pedestrians and cyclists.

Because pedestrians, bikers, and motorcyclists do not have additional armor around to protect them like drivers in a regular vehicle, being struck by a car can produce fatal injuries in a victim of a car accident. A pedestrian that was struck by a car travelling at 23 miles per hour has a ten percent chance of dying. Compared to a pedestrian who was struck by a car travelling at 50 miles per hour, that pedestrian has a 75 percent chance of dying.

If you have been injured in a collision with another car, truck, bus, or motorcycle, Plaxen Adler & Muncy, P.A. want to help. For more than 35 years, we have been the premier personal injury law firm serving clients throughout Maryland. To schedule a free consultation, please call us at 410-730-7737 or complete our contact form.