In Kentucky and across the United States, people have been forced to adapt in a variety of ways due to the ongoing health crisis. In addition to the pandemic making it necessary for people to change their work habits, have children take part in remote learning and limit leisure activities, there have been other challenges. Researchers say that the roads have become increasingly dangerous with drivers taking liberties and causing auto accidents with injuries and fatalities. People who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a collision should know their rights to consider legal options.
More drivers are behaving in dangerous ways on the road
Experts expected the reduction in traffic because of the pandemic to automatically lower the number of car crashes. That was initially true for the first three months of the lockdown from March through May 2020. However, when conducting a more targeted assessment of the data, it was found that certain types of drivers, drivers in specific areas and recklessness all spiked. Younger drivers were at greater risk; more crashes happened in rural locations; and drivers were taking more chances.
This information came out in a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Kentucky’s numbers were in line with those around the country. Anecdotally, law enforcement officers in the state say they found fewer accidents, but more deaths when accidents did happen with speed noted as a significant problem. Many drivers and passengers were not wearing their seatbelts. As the statistics were accrued in the state near the end of 2020, there were already 32 more fatalities on state roads than in 2019. The final numbers and analysis are not yet complete.
Confronting the challenges after an auto accident may require professional help
There is constant danger on the road regardless of the environment and the societal situation. Still, when certain issues arise, it can increase the chances of a crash. The statistics for pandemic driving indicate that drivers are at greater risk of catastrophic injuries and death because drivers are speeding and committing other reckless acts.
Medical costs, lost income from the inability to work, the need for extensive care and myriad problems can come up. Fatalities will leave a family with the emotional, personal and financial impact of losing a loved one unexpectedly. A legal filing might not be foremost on the victim’s and the family’s mind, but it could be essential to recover a sufficient settlement or court award to move forward. An experienced firm might help with gathering evidence and filing a claim after an auto accident.
