California Injury Blog
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fewer people were killed in Orange County car accidents in 2010 than in the year 2009. A news report in The Orange County Register stated that 105 people were killed in Orange County car crashes in 2010. That is 49 less traffic fatalities than reported for the previous year. Officials say highway improvements and safety programs may have contributed to the decreasing numbers. Others suggest that the number of traffic fatalities in Orange County has gone down because of improved safety devices in vehicles as well as fewer commuters on the roadways. Whatever the cause, Orange County and statewide traffic fatalities on freeways and surface streets has consistently dropped since 2006.
2009 Traffic Accident Statistics
According to California Highway Patrol’s 2009 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), 141 fatalities and 13,373 injuries were reported as a result of Orange County car accidents. During that same year, 62 people were killed in drunk driving collisions, 41 were killed in pedestrian accidents, 12 were fatally injured in bicycle accidents and 17 traffic fatalities resulted from Orange County motorcycle accidents.
Wrongful Death Claims
The family of a deceased Orange County car accident victim, in cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved may pursue financial compensation for their loss by filing a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim is a civil lawsuit that can help hold the at-fault driver accountable for the losses suffered by the deceased victim’s family.
In any injury accident it is important to determine the answers to a number of questions. Was the other driver speeding? Was he or she driving recklessly or while under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Was the at-fault motorist on the phone or otherwise distracted? These are all forms of negligent driving that can result in a wrongful death.
An experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that the victim’s family receives fair compensation for their tragic loss. While it is good news that the number of traffic accident deaths have dropped in 2010 compared to 2009, it remains to be seen if the downward trend continues.