In Philadelphia, 95 people died as a result of fatal traffic accidents in 2009. In Bucks County, the death count was 64. In Mercer County, NJ, 22 people died in fatal accidents that same year. In all of these local areas, the wrongful deaths caused by traffic accidents are far too high. Sadly, it is nearly impossible to get these numbers down to zero. But if we can better understand the many causes of fatal NJ & PA accidents, we may have a better chance to prevent them.
The following are some of the most common causes of fatal accidents:
- Driving under the influence-Both drugs and alcohol impair judgment, vision, depth perception and reaction time. Intoxicated persons are not fit to operate cars as they are more likely to cause an accident. Prevent a fatal accident by designating a driver or calling a cab.
- Inclement weather-Some drivers do not feel the need to adapt driving style to the weather, but too many Philadelphia area fatal accidents are caused when weather conditions are bad. Whether it’s rain, sleet or snow, slow down and increase following distance more than you normally would to avoid accidents.
- Distracted Driving-Is that text message really worth a life? Distracted driving accidents continue to lead to fatalities each year. Pull over if the matter is urgent, or wait until you are safely parked at your destination to make a call or send a message.
- Speeding-You may be in a rush, but following the speed limit in the Philadelphia area is definitely worth your time. It is estimated that for every 3 mph increase over a base speed of at least 37 mph, the risk of an accident fatality doubles. Prevent a fatal accident by obeying the speed limit.
Some of these causes and prevention methods of fatal accidents may seem like common sense, but you can probably think of a time when you or someone who was driving you engaged in one of the above behaviors. Fatal accidents in New Jersey and Pennsylvania can be avoided by obeying traffic laws and by focusing on the task at hand: driving your car safely to your destination.
If someone you love was fatally injured in a Philadelphia area accident, contact the experienced accident attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC for help in handling all aspects of your case. Learn more about the wrongful death claim process in our FREE PA Car Accident Book.
