Why Are Car Accidents Often Fatal?
The ranking that no state wants to find itself on is the highest fatality rate per 100,000 people. Unfortunately, with a rate of 23.9, Mississippi is the leading state in this ranking. That is according to data compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Even though nationally, the fatality numbers are coming down, it is still a problem for Mississippi drivers.
To reduce those numbers, every driver needs to be aware of why car accidents are often fatal. All drivers owe a duty of care to everyone on the road. That means being responsible and following the rules of the road. It will help to avoid the most common reasons why fatal crashes occur.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
In their most recent study, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) 18% of all traffic fatalities are caused by DUI. In Mississippi, as with other states, a person who has a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08 would be considered legally intoxicated. Depending on the person, that could mean 3 to 4 drinks in under two hours.
Of course, you don’t have to be at .08 to be impaired. That can happen at .04, which is the legal limit for commercial truck drivers. It is also why multiple DUI convictions come with larger fines and jail times.
It is also important to note that you agree to implied consent when you obtain a driver’s license. That means you have to submit to any type of sobriety test requested by a police officer. Failure to do so can mean automatic license suspension and arrest. The bottom line is that if you are out having fun, take a cab or ride-share home.
Speeding
Excessive speeding is another common cause of fatal accidents. The faster you go, the more braking distance you need to come to a complete stop. It is also easier to lose control of your car at high speeds. Too often, drivers who speed are doing so because they are late, leading to reckless lane changes.
Often, you can find yourself speeding without even noticing it, especially on open highway stretches. One way to clock your speed is to recognize how many cars you’re passing on the road. If you’re going faster than those cars, you’re probably speeding. It is better to arrive late or leave early than to get into an accident.
Weather-related Conditions
Snow is not a frequent concern for Mississippi drivers, but rainfall is another issue. According to data collected by the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), the state averages 56 inches of rainfall annually. Any amount of rain can instantly change road conditions, increasing the risk of tires spinning out and drivers losing control of their vehicles.
It is important for drivers to remember that if the windshield wipers are on, their speed must come down.
Reckless Driving
Obeying the most common traffic laws, like yielding the right of way at a 4-way stop sign, can go a long way towards preventing a crash. Additionally, the few seconds you think you might save speeding through a yellow traffic light isn’t worth the risk of an accident.
Reckless driving can also include not wearing a seatbelt. Statistics from MDOT show that one out of two people killed in a car crash weren’t wearing their seat belts. When you consider that the national seat belt usage rate is 90.1% but the rate in Mississippi is 77.9%, it is clear that more drivers need to buckle up.
Distracted Driving
As much as cell phones have improved how everyone stays in touch, they have also created an unintended problem of distracted driving. Like other states, Mississippi has enacted a hands-free driving law that prohibits drivers from using a handheld mobile device to write, send, or read a text or social media network. The best option is to turn off your phone when you get into the car to avoid the temptation.
Along with cell phone use, you can also be distracted from eating, drinking, smoking, changing the radio, looking for something that has fallen, or dealing with passengers in the front and back seats. Any time your hands come off the steering wheel or your eyes off the road in front of you, you’re distracted.
Seeking a Remedy for a Fatal Accident
If someone in your family was killed in a car accident as a result of another driver’s negligence, you are entitled to make a claim for wrongful death. That will allow the survivors to obtain compensation for their losses. The attorneys at Pittman, Roberts & Welsh, PLLC have helped many clients reach a fair settlement in these types of devastating accidents. We’d be happy to discuss what happened and guide you on the next option.
