Negligent drivers are the primary problem.
Alabama has witnessed a troubling increase in traffic fatalities, with about 989 roadway deaths recorded last year. According to a new report, the number of deaths rose by 6% from 2019 to 2022.
Sometimes, an overall increase in car accidents can be attributed to population growth or other factors. But not this time. Not only did the number of deadly crashes increase in Alabama, the fatal car accident rate did, too. Alabama experienced a 7% increase in the fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). The rate went from 1.3 to 1.39.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a noticeable rise in traffic fatalities, with drivers taking more risks, including distracted driving, speeding, not wearing seat belts, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. This risky behavior has contributed significantly to the increase in traffic fatalities.
Careless driving behind the fatal crash surge
The data from the NHTSA reveals concerning trends related to careless and negligent driving. Police reported:
- Fatal crashes involving alcohol accounted for nearly 30% of all Alabama deadly traffic accidents in 2021.
- Speeding-related traffic crashes accounted for 27% of all Alabama traffic fatalities in 2021. That's a 6% increase from 2019.
- A significant portion of traffic fatalities can be attributed to deaths among vulnerable road users. Since 2017, cyclist and pedestrian fatalities have accounted for 12%-14% of all roadway deaths in Alabama per year.
- The number of passenger vehicle occupants not wearing seatbelts who were killed increased by 20%.
- Distraction-affected traffic crashes also witnessed a 13% rise in fatalities during the years studied, demonstrating the dangers of distracted driving.
Alabama car accident statistics and crash hotspots
Fatal car accidents can happen anywhere in Alabama, but some spots are more likely to see a crash than others. The following locations frequently report high numbers of fatal accidents:
- More than 10% of deadly auto accidents in Alabama happened in Jefferson County in 2021. There were 108 fatalities in the county that year.
- Mobile and Tuscaloosa counties showed the greatest percentage increase in deadly crashes from 2020-2021. Crash rates in both counties increased by 30% year-t0-year.
- Butler County reported the most fatal truck accidents in 2021 with 12 deaths.
- Mobile County had the most deadly accidents involving speed in 2021 with 24 speed-related fatalities.
- An astounding 27 pedestrian deaths occurred in Jefferson County in 2021. This is nearly double the number of pedestrians who died in the county just two years prior.
Some Alabama roadways and intersections are infamously dangerous. Here are some Alabama locations where multiple fatal accidents have occurred in the past several years:
- Birmingham by the Elton B. Stephens Expressway (US-280) where 24th St intersects with 2nd and 3rd streets
- E South Boulevard (US-80) in Montgomery
- The I-565 exchange in Huntsville (near exit 17B)
- Government St in Mobile
- US-80 at Hwy 280 in Columbus
Aggressive legal representation for injured Alabama accident victims
As the statistics have shown, vulnerable road users and reckless driving behaviors are contributing factors to the surge in fatalities. Careless driving is a choice, and it is not fair that negligent drivers are putting so many good people at risk. The experienced Alabama car accident lawyers at Dean Waite & Associates LLC fight aggressively to get justice and maximum compensation for injured crash victims and their families.
If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an Alabama car accident, contact us for a free case evaluation. At no cost to you, a member of our team can listen to the details of what happened, answer your questions, explain your legal options, and help you decide your next steps. There is no obligation to hire, but if you choose to do so, our experienced car accident lawyers work for a contingency fee. That means there is no upfront cost or down payment for our services. Our fee is a percentage of the final compensation package. Therefore, you only pay if you win.
You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by consulting Dean Waite & Associates LLC. A member of our team is ready to hear from you any time, day or night, so contact us for your free evaluation today.