Nationally fatalities on the road declined between the years of 2004 and 2013. All signs seemed to indicate that these numbers would continue to fall, however, the trend was broken in 2015 and 2015 when driving fatalities rose on the national level. Similar to the national trends traffic fatalities in Arkansas were also on the decline between the years of 2003 and 2014. However, similar to the national trend the number of fatalities also rose between the years of 2014 and 2016, with a tragic increase of nearly 27 percent.
If you have suffered a serious injury or if a loved one has been killed in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Compensation typically attempts to make you whole by awarding money for damages. Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak, can work to obtain compensation for your pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of services, damage to property and other losses.
Reasons for Fatal Traffic Accidents on Arkansas Roads
It is a sad reality that fatal car accident happen almost every day on Arkansas roads. Family members of the departed are often left to deal with the pain and sadness that comes with losing a family member. At the Law Practice of Ken Kieklak we understand that dealing with the death of a loved one is always painful and can leave you with many questions. One of the most common questions we hear is why do fatal car accidents happen on the road? Over the past twenty years or representing those who have been injured in fatal car accidents, we have found that fatal accidents are normally the result of some of the following:
Drinking and driving – Drinking and driving is one of the leading causes of fatal accidents on the road. Even after a single drink, a driver can experience the negative effects of alcohol. Increased alcohol consumption can lead to drivers suffering from poor depth perception, slower reaction times, and lack of motor coordination.
Using cell phones – Cell phone use has been an ongoing problem for police and drivers on the road. Using a cell phone to text and drive has been equated with drinking and driving. It has been estimated that sending a single text message while driving would be the equivalent of driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed. Therefore, it is plain to see that driving and using a cell phone is never advisable, and unfortunately can lead to many accidents.
Tired and fatigued drivers – Driving when you are overly tired or fatigued is another leading cause of fatal accidents. Drivers who are overly tired or fatigued may fall asleep behind the wheel and lose control of their vehicle.
Distracted drivers – Distracted drivers have been the number one cause of accidents in the United States for decades. There are numerous reasons why a driver may be distracted on the road, however, all drivers have a duty to pay close attention to their own driving habits, and even to other drivers who are on the road.
Speeding – There is a direct correlation between the speed a driver is going and the likelihood that if they are involved in an accident there will be a fatality.
The National Safety Council’s recommendations to motorists and drivers make sure passengers use their seat belts, designate alcohol- and drug-free drivers, get plenty of sleep and take breaks to avoid fatigue, never use a cell phone and monitor teen driving habits as teens are three times more likely to crash than experienced drivers.
Injured or Lost a Loved One in an Accident? Call a Fayetteville, AR Car Accident Lawyer
If you have suffered a serious injury due to a car, truck, or motorcycle accident be sure to seek medical attention immediately. Then, to schedule your free and confidential consultation, call Ken Kieklak at (479) 316-0438 or contact us online.