Speeding, Distracted Driving Remain Biggest Factors in Fatal Crashes

A car accident occurs every 10 seconds in the U.S., According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While some accidents are only minor “fender benders” that do not result in serious injury to either party, some – particularly those caused by speeding or distracted driving – ultimately prove to be fatal.

Here, we’ll discuss the frequency of speeding and distracted driving crashes in Tennessee and across the U.S., and how they occur.

Fatal Car Accident Statistics

Fatal car accidents in Tennessee have increased by nearly 20% since 2010, according to the Tennessee Department of Homeland Security. Tennessee also ranks No. 1 in the nation for distracted driving, with almost 24,781 accidents caused by drivers who are not paying attention to the road.

Top Causes of Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents

Distracted driving and ignoring the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions are common factors in many fatal injury accidents.

Distracted driving causes more crashes each year than drunk driving and other common causes of car accidents.

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from the task at hand, According to NHTSA. This can include talking on the phone, texting, eating, and adjusting the stereo, among countless other activities. In one recent year alone, distracted driving claimed the lives of 3,166 people.

This tragic loss of life is even more sobering when you realize that these accidents could have been prevented if the driver had simply focused on the road instead of engaging in whatever activity led to the crash. If they had put down their smartphone, removed other distractions, and had remained alert and vigilant, some accident victims might still be alive today.

Speeding claimed the lives of 9,378 people last year. According to the Federal Highway Administration’s informational report on Methods and Practices for Setting Speed Limits, these limits are set to inform drivers of the appropriate speed of travel in favorable conditions and they are established using several methodologies, including:

• Vehicle characteristics
• Drivers’ abilities
• Traffic volume and the presence of pedestrians and cyclists
• Weather conditions and visibility
• Roadway design elements (sight distances, driveway density, lane/shoulder width, curves in the road, etc.)
• Pavement conditions
• Injury minimization

Contact The Terry Law Firm If You Lost a Loved One in a Tennessee Motor Vehicle Accident

If you lost a loved one in an accident caused by a speeding or distracted driver, the Morristown personal injury attorneys at The Terry Law Firm can help you hold the negligent party accountable.

Since 1960, our team has helped people across East Tennessee recover the compensation they need to pay their medical bills, recoup lost wages, and other expenses. We can also seek payment for non-economic damages, including pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, and others.

Our team will be ready to stand up and fight for the compensation you’re owed when you call us today to schedule a free consultation.