Few people in California could’ve predicted the increasing rates of traffic crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports annually on accidents and reveal emerging trends in driving. The 2020 data report on traffic crashes has revealed a growing trend in deadly auto accidents.
Safety report on auto accidents
In 2020, the U.S. experienced the highest rates of fatal motor vehicle accidents since 2007. More 38,000 drivers, passengers or pedestrians were killed in auto accidents that year.
Reasons for increased rates
Nearly 45% of the fatalities included acts of driver negligence from speeding to driving while intoxicated. Distracted driving is the growing trend in poor driving. More than 3,000 people died in accidents related to distracted driving.
Traffic safety experts also focus on the dangers of poorly designed vehicles. Older vehicles often lack the built-in safety features of newer models. Poor manufacturing also includes the defective designs found in self-driving cars. Driverless technology is not entirely accurate in avoiding collisions with other vehicles or objects nearby.
Determining the cause of the accident is necessary to determine the appropriate person to sue. Determining fault is straightforward for an accident that was caused by another driver’s speeding. If the accident was caused by a hazardous road, the plaintiff has to avoid suing another driver and consider suing city officials or a construction company instead.
One of the deadliest years for car accidents was in 2020, based on NHTSA safety reports. From 2007 to 2020, the causes of motor vehicle crashes varied from speeding to driving while distracted to lacking driving experience. The NHTSA continues to release annual statistics on vehicle accidents that affect people in California and the remaining country.