Wide Gap Between Ohio, West Virginia, and US Fatal Crash Rates
Comparing National Average Deadly Crash Rate to Ohio & West Virginia.
According to a new analysis, the national car accident crisis continues to get worse.
Early first-quarter estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the national fatal crash rate increased by 7% compared to the same time last year. That's 9,560 deaths due to fatal car accidents in just 3 months.
The U.S. fatal car accident rate is now about 1.27 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Help is available for car accident victims seeking justice and compensation. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in the Columbus or Charleston areas, contact Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, for a free case consultation.
Ohio and West Virginia Car Accidents
While experiencing a great number of bad car accidents, Ohio and West Virginia crash rates varied greatly from the national average.
- West Virginia's deadly crash rate went up by 28%.
- Ohio's fatal crash rate went down by 13%.
Whether crash rates in your area are up or down, we are also feeling the car accident crisis here. Unfortunately, you don't have to go far back in the calendar to find examples of terrible and tragic car accidents in the region. Local, recent car and truck accidents include:
- Two people died in a September multi-vehicle car accident on E Broad Street in east Columbus, near the area of Lancaster.
- A few days prior to the fatal accident on Broad, a city pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run on Northtowne Boulevard at Brooklyn Road.
- On the same day as the fatal pedestrian accident in Blendon Township, OH, a different pedestrian was left in critical condition after being struck by two vehicles along Sunbury Road under an I-270 bridge.
- Meanwhile, in West Virginia, a late-August collision involving a tractor-trailer and a hazmat truck in Institute caused serious injuries, polluted nearby Paint Creek, and jammed traffic for hours. Police later made a drunk driving arrest in connection to the truck accident.
- Also, in August, a bus accident at the I-64 east bend in Charleston caused serious injuries to both involved drivers. The KRT bus was empty at the time of the collision and on its way to Elkview.
- In July, a rollover car accident in Corridor G by the Davis Creek exit in Charleston sent two people to the hospital to treat serious injuries.
Government Response
Government, law enforcement, and safety officials are responding to the heightened risk of car accidents with awareness campaigns, increased enforcement of targeted traffic laws, and road renovations aimed at preventing accidents. In addition, federal funds have been released to support such projects.
Both Ohio and West Virginia have strategic plans to reduce fatal and injury-causing car accidents. But at the end of the day, it's all about the choices drivers make, and that means accountability for dangerous drivers is critical.
Get a Winning Car Accident Lawyer on Your Side
Car accident victims can get compensation after a bad car accident, but the insurance companies make them fight for it. Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC takes on the insurance companies while you focus on healing. We are aggressive about getting you the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you were injured or a loved one died in a car accident, contact our car accident lawyers for a free case consultation. We can answer your crash-related questions, estimate the value of your claim, and help weigh your options.
Don't delay! Evidence like surveillance video doesn't last long. We want to start investigating the accident and building a strong case as soon as possible. A member of our team is available to hear from you anytime, day or night. Contact us to schedule your free case consultation today.