Driving in the wrong lane caused a recent fatal car crash in Chesterfield County in which a driver was going north on US Highway 52 in the wrong lane, slamming into an oncoming vehicle. The result: the instant death of the female driver, who was 66 years old and driving in the right direction. The driver of the car that was going the wrong way is 39 years old, and was rushed to McLeod Hospital in Florence immediately after the accident. WSOCTV news reports both drivers were wearing their seatbelts and the cause of the crash has yet to be determined.
Car Accident Numbers
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately 80 people are killed every day on U.S. roads. A recent study showed that in the year 2013, there were 35,244 fatal car crashes that occurred in the United States. The effect of auto accidents goes beyond the parties involved in the crash. NHTSA’s 2010 crash data estimates an $871 billion combined in economic and societal cost, which is approximately 1.9 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
There are numerous factors that contribute to fatal car crashes. Based on the total motor vehicle accidents resulting in death in the U.S:
- Drunk driving attributes to 32%.
- Speeding accounts for approximately 31%.
- Distracted driving (texting and/or talking on the phone) accounts for 16%.
- Dangerous weather conditions (including roads with snow, ice, or heavy rain) contribute to 11%.
The day of the week also contributes to the likelihood of a car accident, as a fatal car crash has a 19 percent chance of occurring on a Saturday and 16 percent on Friday or Sunday. More than half of fatalities in car accidents are drivers, while passenger deaths account for about 20 percent.
Preventing Car Crashes
Local and federal governments, as well as the private sector, have implemented safety measures that attempt to reduce auto accidents due to these startling crash statistics. Specifically, safety measures include curfews and limitations for new drivers. Likewise, car manufacturers have added numerous crash prevention technologies in vehicles promoting the reduction of human error and minimizing accidents. Even the courts can intervene, as laws allow the installation of sobriety devices in the vehicles of those with a history of repeat drinking and driving offenses.
Contact a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer
If an auto accident caused you or a loved one to become seriously injured due to another’s negligence, contact a Charleston Car Accident Lawyer today for an initial consultation on your legal rights. The attorneys at Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC are determined to fight for the compensation which you are owed.