Ohio motorists might be less likely to be involved in fatal accidents than in earlier years, but pedestrians might be at a greater risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that while there was a 2.4% drop in deadly crashes around the country in 2018, pedestrian deaths went up 3.4%. Cyclists and other people on vehicles with pedals may also be at risk, with a 6.3% increase in fatalities.
According to the NHTSA, the drop may be attributable in part to an increase in safety technology in vehicles. It is the second year in a row that shows a decline, and based on preliminary figures from the first part of 2019, that trend appears to be continuing. Prior to 2017, the number of traffic fatalities had been rising, which experts said was due to more people on the road as a result of an improved economy. However, the total number of people who died in motor vehicle accidents in 2018 was 36,560, a figure the agency says is still too high.
Fewer motorcyclists were killed in 2018, with a drop of more than 4%. There were also fewer deaths as a result of drunk driving and speeding. About half of the cycling deaths and three-fourths of the pedestrians deaths happened after dark. Alcohol was also a factor in some of those accidents.
Even accidents that do not involve fatalities can lead to severe harm. A person who has been injured in a motor vehicle accident or who has lost a loved one in a fatal crash may want to consult an attorney. The driver who caused the accident may be required to pay compensation to the injured person or to the family of the person killed. An attorney may help ensure that the compensation is adequate or might file a lawsuit if necessary.
