The overall trend for fatal car accidents in the United States is still a downward one. You can see that fatalities peaked in the 1970s and have declined until today.
However, when you look at the short-term trends, you’ll find that this is not the case. Over the last few years, there is actually been an upward trend again. Car accident numbers keep increasing, and there are more deadly crashes every year. Why is this happening? Here are a few reasons to keep in mind.
Reckless driving
One reason for this is that drivers have been a bit more reckless on the road. Reports indicate higher instances of dangerous behaviors like weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating or excessively breaking the speed limit. Drivers are taking more risks than they used to, which is naturally going to lead to a lot of accidents that could have been avoided.
Distracted driving
Additionally, drivers are as distracted as they’ve ever been. Many of them use their cellphones in the car to check their email, send text messages or take pictures. Even responsible drivers will use their phones for their GPS devices and music streaming systems.
Impaired driving
Finally, reports have found an increase in driver impairment. A lot of this does still come from alcohol, which is the most common culprit. But some drivers are also impaired by substances like marijuana or even by prescription medications, as the opioid epidemic continues.
Have you been injured?
With this rise in dangerous driving, it is certainly possible that you could suffer severe injuries in a car accident that another driver causes. If this happens to you, be sure you know how to seek financial compensation.