2020 saw fewer drivers on the road because of stay-at-home orders, social gathering restrictions, and an uptick in virtual working. It’s reasonable to assume that the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents last year would have gone down to match. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
Preliminary statistics from the Colorado Department of Transportation reveal that more fatal crashes occurred in 2020 than in 2019. It turns out that a global health crisis did little to change the way that people behave behind the wheel. Driver negligence continues to cause a significant number of accidents in Boulder and across the state.
Here are the top five causes of fatal and injury crashes based on Colorado State Patrol crash trends:
- Inattentiveness to driving
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Lane violation
- Failure to yield right of way
Inattentiveness to driving results in the most traffic crashes year after year. It’s a category that includes many different behaviors, such as eating or talking on cell phones while driving. Drivers may be more likely to succumb to distraction when they end up in traffic that’s lighter than normal.
Speeding is also a recurring factor in motor vehicle accidents. The second most common cause of fatal and injury crashes is driving over the safe/legal speed. Some drivers think that they can speed if there aren’t a lot of people on the road. This dangerous misconception often results in injury or death.
Driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances is another significant problem. Impaired drivers are more likely to cause accidents than sober drivers. And these accidents often lead to horrible injuries for the innocent people who get hit.
Hurt in a Car or Truck Accident?
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident during the COVID-19 pandemic, or if a loved one was killed, call personal injury attorney Christopher Jeffress at 303-993-8685 to discuss your legal options.
Mr. Jeffress will fight to hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. He used to work for insurance companies. He has inside expertise when it comes to helping clients recover maximum compensation. Jeffress Law, PC serves clients from Boulder, Longmont, Broomfield, and surrounding Colorado areas.
