Worldwide study shows auto accident statistics are stagnant

Motor vehicle accidents are such a prominent problem in Baton Rouge, throughout Louisiana and around the world that it is imperative to pay attention to research on the subject. For those who are in a crash and suffer personal injury, they will understand the life changes they will experience as a result. When a family has lost a loved one, they too will be confronted with short and long-range issues that must be addressed.

According to a World Health Organization report, the number of road fatalities has been rising. In 2016, there were around 1.35 million road deaths around the world. This is problematic as there is a goal of lowering the number of such deaths by 50 percent by 2020. Since the study is worldwide, it also found that U.S. roads are two times as dangerous as Canadian roads. For Group of Seven nations, the danger is quadruple that of U.S. counterparts. The WHO says that traffic accidents are the most common reason for fatalities of young adults and children. The victims are predominately males and more vulnerable people, such as bicycle riders, pedestrians and those on motorcycles.

More promising, the per capita number of road fatalities has become stable. This is believed to be due to developed countries showing increased progress in safety tactics, such as improvement to how vehicles are designed, the care given to those injured and more focus on laws mandating safety in trying to reduce drunk driving, encouraging people to have children restrained and wearing seatbelts. In the U.S., there are still 12.4 road fatalities for 100,000 people. In Canada, for 100,000 people, there are 5.8 deaths. Proposals to improve safety include taking greater steps for children to be protected.

The damage that can come about after an auto accident is expansive. People can have their lives overturned in multiple ways, including physically, financially, professionally and personally. The statistical studies show that despite the best efforts on the part of government agencies and law enforcement, accidents continue. Given the litany of problems people will face after car accidents, it is important to understand the available legal options.