Missouri residents will understand that there are inherent dangers when heading out on the road. An auto accident can happen for a variety of reasons and come without warning. Statistics show just how dangerous driving can be. When assessing these reports, people are frequently surprised at how prevalent fatal auto accidents are. But the numbers alone don’t tell the whole story. Instead, people also need to consider the causes of these wrecks.

The National Safety Council reports that road fatalities surpassed 40,000 for the third consecutive year. The total has risen by 14 percent since 2014. In 2018, these types of crashes saw a reduction of one percent from 2017. There were more than 4.5 million people who suffered serious injuries in auto crashes in 2018. This, too, is an increase of one percent. A main issue that is believed to cause the numbers to rise in 2014 and at the start of the decade in 2010 is distracted driving. The increase in drivers who own a smartphone is believed to be a factor.

Safety improvements in new vehicles like emergency braking systems have helped to mitigate the dangers of distracted driving, but not all vehicles have them. Other systems designed to detect and avoid pedestrians are also being implemented to a greater degree. That, too, is slowly being integrated and is not widespread yet. While technology can prove helpful, drivers are viewed as the biggest threat to safety. Their behaviors, including distracted driving, behaving recklessly, and driving under the influence are common reasons why accidents occur. While the NSC does not specify the causes of accidents in its studies, the rise of fatal pedestrian accidents, the fact that eight percent of accidents involve distraction, and that two percent are due to drowsy driving, make it is easy to link these factors.

People who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a motor vehicle accident will want answers. Medical expenses, lost income due to missed work, the inability to take an active part with a family, and other problems are common when people are hurt in a car accident. With fatalities, the damages are exponentially worse. The statistics mentioned above indicate that motor vehicle accidents continue to be more prevalent that we care to think. After an accident, a qualified legal professional can be of assistance in pursuing compensation in a lawsuit.