Types of Fatal Accidents
Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Every personal loss in a car accident is unique, and the time it will take you to return to normality depends on you and on the person lost, and on the circumstances of the loss. Often, though, you are not given the time to work through your loss. Instead, you are expected to return back to work after a short time, you may be bombarded with bills related to your loved one’s injury and death, and even more if you were also injured. If your injuries or your grief make it hard for you to return to work, or if the person you lost was the breadwinner, it may be impossible for you to pay bills.
After your loss, the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve to pay bills and have the space and time you need for grieving. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C. we have helped thousands of people like you in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Please call or email us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you.
Numbers of Deadly Accidents
Every year, hundreds of deadly automobile accidents take loved ones away from people in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. In 2008, there were 824 automobile accident fatalities in Virginia, 591 in Maryland, and 34 in Washington, D.C. These numbers represent a significant decrease from 2007. Maryland saw only a four percent decline in automobile accident deaths, but in Virginia and Washington, D.C., the decline was more than 20% from 2007-2008.
Due to increased automobile safety, increased seat belt use, and decreased drunk driving 2008 saw the lowest number of traffic deaths in the United States since 1961. This continues an ongoing trend that was accelerated by high gas prices.
Accidents that Kill
Most fatal automobile accidents are single-vehicle accidents. Single-vehicle accidents account for 60% of all automobile accident fatalities in the United States. The rate in Maryland is a little less, that in Washington, D.C. and Virginia is a little more, but not significantly so.
Over two-thirds of fatal accidents (nearly 70%) occur when a car is traveling straight. Another 15% of fatal accidents occur when a car is negotiating a curve in the road (15%). Surprisingly, left turns only account for 6% of fatal accidents. Most fatal collisions are front-end collisions, whether with another vehicle (most common), a fixed object, or a non-motorist. A side-impact can also be very dangerous. Light trucks like SUVs and pickups are more than twice as likely to be involved in non-collision, single-vehicle fatalities due to the increased possibility of deadly rollover accidents.
Fatal crashes rarely involve fires, but they are more than twice as likely in large truck accidents.
Statistics and numbers only tell a small part of the story of fatal accidents. At Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata, & Siegel, P.C., we have helped thousands of car accident victims and their families, and understand the human dimensions of these complex accidents. Please contact us today to learn how we may be able to help you.
