Wrongful Death Accidents Increasing in Idaho, NHTSA Reports

Boise and Nampa, Idaho drivers may be at a greater risk of getting killed or injured in an auto accident, according to recent data. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that after years of declining numbers of traffic deaths, in 2015, the number of people killed on U.S. highways has increased. The National Safety Council reports that the number of people killed in car accidents increased by 9.3 percent. This accounts for approximately 26,000 deaths between January and September alone. When the numbers are broken down regionally, Idaho was among the regions that saw the greatest increase in the number of people killed in car accidents.

Why have these numbers gone up? Reports suggest that the number of miles people have travelled have increased. The more miles drivers are on the road, the greater their risk. Yet, other factors also contribute to car accidents. The NHTSA has planned to host summits to address unsafe driver behaviors that impact public safety. Speeding, drunk driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving, and negligence in using safety devices all contribute to traffic accidents.

NHTSA administrator Mark Rosekind noted that the administration has been seeing “red flags across the U.S.”

According to the Insurance Journal, human errors, negligence, and other human-related factors contribute to 94 percent of all accidents.

The increase is not to be taken lightly. Wrongful death lawyers see the immense impact that car accident deaths can have on a victim’s family. Families struggle after losing a loved one suddenly to a car crash. Not only do these families find themselves facing medical expenses and funeral expenses, but they may also have to struggle under the weight of these bills while also facing the loss of the income that the family member brought in. Idaho law offers important protections to families who have experienced losses due to a family member’s wrongful death. Families have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and funeral expenses. In some cases, families may also have the right to seek punitive damages.

If you’ve lost a loved one due to a car accident, time is of the essence. The law places limits on the amount of time you may have to seek compensation for damages. The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen in Boise are wrongful death lawyers committed to helping you seek justice.

Wrongful death lawsuits not only give families the chance to rebuild their lives, but they also raise awareness of the dangers of negligent driving habits. With the NHTSA working to combat the effects of distracted driving, drunk driving, and other dangerous behaviors, families and communities also have a responsibility to join together to put an end to needless deaths on America’s highways.

The Law Office of Johnson & Lundgreen is committed to raising awareness of dangerous driving habits and fights for the rights of families who have been affected by driving negligence.