Car Accident Deaths In Minnesota
Millions of Americans rely on their vehicles to get to work, take their children to school, and enjoy the things that make them happy. Unfortunately, car accidents are tragic reality and sometimes may result in serious injury or even death. When fatalities do happen, the results can have deep emotional and financial strains on surviving family members.
When auto accident deaths occur, surviving family members are often left to pick up the pieces and make sense of an extremely difficult situation. While auto insurance is meant to compensate the families of victims in fatal auto accidents, at-fault drivers, and their powerful insurance companies may deny their liability and force victims to exercise their legal rights.
Leading Causes of Car Accident Deaths in Minnesota
While fatal auto accidents may happen for any number of reasons, there are certain trends in how and why these accidents occur. By understanding these statistics and better educating themselves, drivers across Minnesota can take steps to keep themselves, their families, and other drivers on the road safer.
In 2014, a total of 361 victims lost their lives in auto-related accidents. Looking into the data, we see certain trends emerge to help us make sense of why the accidents occur and how we can protect ourselves while out on the road.
- 361 fatalities breaks down to automobiles(278); motorcycles (46); pedestrians (17); bicyclists (5); ATVs (7); farm equipment occupants (1); snowmobiles (4); commercial buses (1) and two unknown vehicles
- 88 (24%) drunk driving related
- 94 (26%) speed related
- 61 (17%) distracted driving-related
While any loss of life is tragic, some statistics show that car accident deaths in Minnesota are actually on the decline. Over a five-year period, car accident deaths declined significantly. Only accidents occurring at intersections remained steady over that same period.
Fatal traffic accidents continued to decline in 2014, seeing a 6.7 percent drop over the previous year. The decline may have been due in part to the state’s new laws regarding seatbelt enforcement. Under Minnesota’s Primary Seat Belt Law, all vehicle occupants are required to have their safety belt fastened.
Under the law, police can pull over and ticket offenders simply for not wearing their seat belt. The violation incurs a $25 fine and up to $100 with added fees. Since its inception in 2009, the law is believed to have saved 132 lives, prevented 434 severe injuries, and saved taxpayers $16 million.
Furthermore, Minnesota’s vehicle mortality rate is steady at .63 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled compared to 1.09. Minnesota consistently ranks at top of the safest states to drive in, only behind Massachusetts and Washington D.C.
Minnesota Car Accident Attorneys
If your family suffered the unfortunate tragedy of losing a loved one in an auto accident, contact the experienced Minnesota auto accident attorneys of Novitzke, Gust, Sempf, Whitley & Bergmanis online or by calling 715-268-6130. Our experienced attorneys have years of experience and can help you and your family seek justice.
Surviving family members of fatal auto accident victims may be able to hold wrongdoers accountable and collect compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional pain and suffering. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis and do not collect any legal fees unless they successfully resolve your case for you.