The summer season is finishing up in Nevada; it arrived in full force with temperatures reaching above 100 degrees on a regular basis. While many of us associate the summer months with vacations and road trips, it also can be one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. Data shows that accidents have increased in Nevada this summer.
Time and Day Matters
According to research on the issue, any Saturday in the month of August is the most dangerous day of the week and month of the year to be on America’s roads. In 2016, there were more than 60,000 traffic accidents in the United States according to PRNews Wire. Between 2012 and 2016, nearly 16,000 people died in America in August as a result of car accidents, making the month the deadliest of the year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (“IIHS”). Moreover, studies show that the deadliest driving day of the year is August 2nd. During the same five year span (2012-2016) there were over 500 traffic deaths due to car accidents on that day, more than any other day in that time period, according to the IIHS. On average, there are 110 deaths every day in America due to car accidents.
Increase in Accidents During COVID-19
The National Safety Council (“NSC”) reports that, despite coronavirus-related quarantines resulting in fewer vehicles on the road, America’s roads are more dangerous now than ever. The NSC generated preliminary accident estimates based on data from all 50 states during the month of May, which indicated that American drivers and passengers were at a higher risk of death from a car accident for the third month in a row. Despite most of the country remaining under quarantine as a result of the pandemic, the death rate per mile driven during May jumped nearly 25% when compared to the same month in 2019. Moreover, the number of traffic accident-related fatalities have increased for three years straight from 2015 to 2017.
During the first five months of this year, six states experienced an increase in roadway deaths:
- Arkansas – 10% increase
- Connecticut – 39% increase
- Missouri – 12% increase
- Louisiana – 15% increase
- New Hampshire – 63% increase
- North Carolina – 6% increase
During the same time frame, nine states experienced a decrease:
- Arizona – 10% decrease
- Florida – 4% decrease
- Maryland – 18% decrease
- Michigan – 13% decease
- Mississippi -21% decrease
- Pennsylvania – 13% decrease
- South Carolina – 13% decrease
- Tennessee – 58% decrease
- Wyoming – 52% decrease
The NCS is a non-profit organization that advocates for traffic safety, tracking motor vehicle death trends and issuing estimates for nearly 100 years.
Our Attorneys Can Help
If you or someone you care about has been hurt in a car accident in Las Vegas, Henderson, or anywhere else in Nevada, contact the courtroom proven attorneys at H&P Law. We know how to gather evidence to build up your case, and will fight for the best possible outcome for you whether that means negotiating a settlement or going to trial. Contact us today to schedule your initial case evaluation.
