Despite advances in car safety, 2020 was a difficult year on the road: Surveys show that fatal car accidents increased again, impacting hundreds of thousands of people and their families. Virtually no state was immune from these trends, including Ohio. Fatal accidents are often preventable and can lead to major financial impacts for the survivors of those involved.
An overview of fatal accidents
According to information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, deaths rose 7% in 2020. This was the largest increase since 2007 and occurred despite the fact that traffic was at its lowest point in years. The total numbers revealed that 38,680 people died in a fatal car accident in 2020. During the year, deaths caused by motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycles all rose.
Financial ramifications
If you suffer a personal injury as a result of an accident, your entire life and your financial future may be affected. Family members of someone killed may find themselves without a primary source of income. That family may lose millions in lifetime financial support, potentially altering the trajectory of their lives forever.
Although financial compensation cannot replace a life, the U.S. legal system often provides redress for fatal accidents. Survivors of an accident victim who died may be able to sue the driver responsible for the crash in order to recoup medical expenses, funeral costs and other losses.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, you may want to consider seeking legal representation to help you with a lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer may explain your financial options for pursuing compensation that enables you to support your family well into the future.