Even though vehicles today are safer than ever, the rate at which those vehicles are involved in crashes and the rate at which people die in crashes is increasing. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the number of vehicle miles traveled on U.S. roads in 2016 increased by 2.2 percent and resulted in a fatality rate of 1.18 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, an increase of 2.6 percent from 2015. The department also found that distracted driving and drowsy driving fatalities declined. At the same time, deaths related to other reckless behaviors—including speeding, alcohol impairment, and not wearing seat belts—continued to increase. Motorcyclist and pedestrian deaths accounted for over a third of the yearly increase.
Texas is not immune from this national increase. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the number of deaths per vehicle mile increased in 2016 by 3.59 percent over 2016, and the total number of traffic fatalities increased from 3,578 deaths in 2015 to 3,773 deaths in 2016. Despite these frightening numbers, you don’t have to face the consequences of a traffic accident alone. If you were injured by a car accident in the Houston area, including Klein, you need to consult with a Klein personal injury lawyer as quickly as possible to explore your options. For a free case evaluation to see if the law entitles you to compensation for your injuries, call the lawyers of Trust Guss Injury Lawyers or email us through our online contact form.