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Ten Shocking DUI Accident Statistics. Number 7 is Insane!

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Driving under the influence is defined as operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) that is above the legal limit. In most jurisdictions, a BAC of .08% or higher is illegal and can be considered a crime; however, driving under the influence can also refer to a driver operating a vehicle while using drugs or medication. Committing a DUI is a serious crime punishable by large fines, suspension of one’s license and in the most severe cases, imprisonment. Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs causes thousands of accidents every year that result in a devastating loss of life and take a huge financial toll on society.

The 10 Shocking DUI Accident Statistics

  1. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person is injured in a DUI accident every 90 seconds.
  2. Every day in America, twenty-seven people will die as a result of drunk driving accidents. That is an average of one every 53 minutes.
  3. During 2010, 211 children were killed in DUI accidents. Of those, sixty-two percent, or 131 children were riding with the intoxicated driver.
  4. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teens, and approximately one-third of these accidents involve alcohol or another substance.
  5. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 10,228 people were killed in DUI accidents during 2010. This accounts for 31% of traffic-related deaths in the United States.
  6. At 23.4%, the rate of DUI is highest among people aged twenty-one to twenty-five. Approximately 5.8% of 16-17 year-olds and 15.1% of 18-20 year-olds confessed to having driven while intoxicated sometime during the past year.
  7. On average, a drunk driver will drive eighty times while under the influence before their first arrest.
  8. Alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal DUI accidents in 2010 was four times higher at night than during the day.
  9. According to the CDC, over 1.4 million drivers were arrested in 2010 for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
  10. It is estimated that one in three people in the United States will be involved in a DUI accident sometime in their life.

Stay Safe!

If a drunk driver injures you or someone you love, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced personal injury attorney, like those at Phillips Law Firm. Obtaining legal council will ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.

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5 Trucking Accident Statistics that Might Surprise You

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Seattle highways and interstates are often full of commercial trucks transporting a variety of goods and products across the state. From livestock to hazardous chemicals, these large trucks pose a significant risk to all those who share the roads with them. When trucking accidents do occur, the results are often catastrophic and deadly.

When it comes to trucking accidents in Seattle and across the country, did you know…

  1. Nearly half-a-million truck accidents occur each year in the United States: While this is only a small portion of the 10 million car accidents that occur, these accidents are disproportionately fatal. In fact, there are over 5,000 trucking accident fatalities every year.
  2. The majority of trucking accidents occur in rural areas: This is also true. Rural roads are typically narrow and not maintained as well as in urban areas. This combined with decreased visibility on many rural roads can increase trucking accidents. Nearly 70% of all trucking accidents occurred in a rural area.
  3. 90% of trucking accidents are caused by driver error: Forget about Mother Nature, truck driver error and motor vehicle driver error cause the majority of the trucking accidents. Fatigue, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and distracted driving all lead to fatal trucking accidents.
  4. Fatal trucking accidents cost Americans more than $20 Billion each year: These costs are astronomical, especially when you consider that almost 98% of semi-truck accidents result in a fatality. Automobiles are simply so much smaller than semi-trucks and tractor-trailers and this results in catastrophic and life threatening injuries.
  5. In 2012, 46 people were killed in trucking accidents in Washington State: Sadly, these numbers are on the rise. In 2009 there were only 31 people killed in trucking accidents. With more commercial vehicles hitting the road every year, experts warn that these numbers could increase even more.

Contact Seattle Trucking Accident Attorneys

If you or someone you love is injured in a trucking crash, the experienced Seattle trucking accident lawyers at Phillips Law Firm can assist you and your family obtain the compensation you need to recover fully. To learn more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington.

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10 Shocking Car Accident Statistics

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In 2012, car accident fatalities increased for the first time in 6 years. This disturbing statistic occurred even though vehicle manufacturers have installed numerous safety features on cars in the last decade. Overall, 33,561 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the United States, with the majority of those increases coming from alcohol-related driving crashes.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently released data from the 2012 year and some of the statistics may surprise you.

  1. Over 5.6 million car accidents occurred in 2012, 1.6 million were injury crashes alone.
  2. More than half of all fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants were NOT wearing their seat belts at the time of the crash.
  3. The majority of fatal crashes occurred in rural areas and increased by 2.3%.
  4. There were 10 times as many un-helmeted motorcyclist fatalities in states without universal helmet laws.
  5. Males comprise 70% of all motor vehicle fatalities and have for decades.
  6. 61% of large truck occupants killed in 2012 died in single-vehicle crashes.
  7. The increase in fatalities in 2012 largely occurred in the winter months.
  8. Children aged 10-15 saw fewer fatalities in 2012—a decrease by 3.9%, while teenagers aged 16-20 saw a decrease in fatalities by 5.7%.
  9. Washington car accident fatalities actually decreased by 2.2% in 2012.
  10. 10.  The most dangerous times to drive are at rush hour (3-6pm) and late at night (9pm-12am midnight).

Car accidents are often catastrophic, leading to permanent injuries and disabilities. Yet even accidents that occur at low-speeds can cause significant injuries to vehicle occupants. Sadly, negligent drivers who are not paying attention to the road or who are driving impaired cause many of these accidents. When this occurs, you have a right to seek compensation for your injuries and for any damages to your property.

Contact Seattle Car Accident Attorneys

If you or someone you love is injured in a car accident, an experienced Seattle car accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. If you are interested in learning more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our Seattle personal injury lawsuit attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7, offering a free case evaluation. Remember our no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee.

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue, Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond, Shoreline, and throughout the State of Washington. 

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Traffic Fatalities Increase in 2012

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Car Crash Fatality - Seattle Auto Accident AttorneysEven though it is 2014 already, the 2012 complete fatality report has been finally compiled and released. The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have released the 2012 fatality report and the numbers are not good. In 2012, there were more than 33,561 deaths –a 1,082 increase from 2011. What is troublesome is that large truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian fatalities increased drastically, as did drunk driving fatalities. Here are some of the highlights from the 2012 Fatality Report:

  • There was a 6.4% increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2012, making it the third consecutive year pedestrian fatalities increased.
  • The majority of fatal pedestrian accidents occurred in urban areas, at non-intersections, and at night.
  • There was a 7.1% increase in motorcycle fatalities in 2012, making it the third straight year motorcycle fatalities increased.
  • 10x as many non-helmeted riders died in 2012.
  • There was a 8.9% increase in large truck occupant fatalities in 2012, making it the third straight year truck fatalities increased.
  • There was a 4.9% increase in drunk driving fatalities.
  • The majority of the drunk driving fatalities involved a driver with a BAC of 0.15 or higher (which is double the legal limit).
  • People are still not wearing their seatbelts. Nearly 2/3 of the nighttime fatalities involved drivers and passengers who were not wearing their seatbelts.
  • Males continue to comprise nearly 70% of all motor vehicle fatalities and have for decades.
  • In Washington, there were 444 total traffic fatalities in 2012.
  • Of those traffic fatalities, 33% involved drivers who were driving under the influence of alcohol.
  • The total number of fatalities in the State of Washington actually decreased by 2.2% in 2012.

Contact Seattle Auto Accident Lawsuit Attorneys

If you or someone you love is injured in a car crash, an experienced Seattle Auto accident attorney at Phillips Law Firm can help. To learn more about your legal options, call us at 1-800-708-6000. Our personal injury attorneys are waiting to assist you 24/7. We offer free case evaluations and a no fee promise. If we do not recover anything for you, you do not owe us an attorney fee

The personal injury lawyers at Phillips Law Firm have successfully represented injured individuals and their families in Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver, Bellevue ,Everett, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Federal Way, Bellingham, Marysville, Lakewood, Redmond,  Shoreline and throughout the State of Washington. 

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