The Department of Motor Vehicles Virginia Highway Safety Office keeps data on the traffic crashes that occur in the state. These numbers help show the scope of auto collisions and how much of a problem it actually is. Their data includes the most common types of crashes, how many result in injuries, how many are fatal, and more. The reports for 2015 are unsettling. Action must be taken to make the road safer for all those who drive on it each day.

The most concerning number is 753 persons killed as a result of traffic crashes in 2015. This reflects an increase of 7.6% from 2014. Also, in 2015, there were 65,029 individuals who sustained an injury due to a collision, reflecting an increase of 2.6% from the prior year. A contributing factor to these numbers could be the total amount of licensed drivers in Virginia. In 2015, there were 6,003,526, an increase of 1.9% from 2014, meaning more risk for potential crashes.

When you consider the averages, the numbers become even more daunting:

• In Virginia, there is one crash every 4.18 minutes
• Of all licensed drivers, one in every 25.8 were involved in a collision
• Traffic crashes resulted in 2.06 fatalities each day
• Traffic crashes also resulted in 178 injured individuals each day

Of the 125,800 total crashes in 2015, 7,591 were alcohol-related, leading to 4,917 injuries and 241 fatalities. This means that 32% of all traffic fatalities resulted from alcohol-related collisions.

Any time a collision occurs, it can result in serious injuries or fatalities. This is most often the result of someone acting negligently and causing the collision. These acts include drunk driving, speeding, distracted driving, fatigued driving, and more. The injured party may have the right to take legal action to prove negligence and seek the compensation they need to help cover medical expenses, lost income, and any other costs associated with the injury. This is why it is beneficial to hire a Richmond auto accident lawyer if you have been involved in a collision in Virginia.

At Cantor, Grana, Buckner and Bucci, we have the experience, tenacity, and knowledge necessary to help our clients move forward during this difficult time in their lives. We keep our focus on our clients’ goals, always working to help them hold the liable party accountable and seek the compensation they deserve. You can count on our team to put your situation at the forefront of our practice, working to get the results you need.