Do you follow all the rules of the road and practice defensive driving? Do you consider yourself a “safe driver?” If so, you may think you can avoid a car accident.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Even if you are cautious, you cannot control the actions of others.
If you are involved in a Connecticut car accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you have legal rights. One right is to recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact our legal team at Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers to understand and exercise your rights. We can help you with the legal process.
Here you can learn some surprising Connecticut car accident statistics that may help you better understand the risk you face each time you get behind the wheel.
Connecticut Car Accident Stats
Negligence behind the wheel often has a fatal outcome. Even if an accident does not result in fatalities, it can cause serious injuries that impact a victim for the rest of their lives.
In 2020, fatalities resulting from motor vehicle accidents in Connecticut increased by 19.29% compared to 2019. The vehicle-related deaths also increased from 2018 to 2022, with 2022 seeing a significant increase from the prior years. The specifics include the following:
- 2018 – 297 deaths
- 2019 – 254 deaths
- 2020 – 303 deaths
- 2021 – 302 deaths
- 2022 – 385 deaths
As you can see, the car accident-related deaths in 2022 surged, and, unfortunately, it seems on par to do the same in 2023.
Fatal accidents were not the only result of motor vehicle accidents in Connecticut. Other statistics derived from car accidents in 2020 include the following:
- Potential injuries – 10,878
- Suspected minor injuries – 9,274
- Suspected serious injuries – 1,100
There were also 62,180 incidents where no obvious injuries were recorded.
Common Factors Leading to Connecticut Car Accidents
One of the most common causes of Connecticut car accidents is one driver following another too closely on the road. The common term for this is “tailgating.” It is responsible for over 14% of accidents in the state.
Another factor that leads to accidents is drivers who do not stay in their lane. In 2020, this caused almost 12% of car accidents.
Other factors that lead to accidents include the following:
- Speeding – Over 4%
- Failure to yield – Almost 6%
- Drunk Driving – Over 24%
- Other – Almost 40%
However, 2022 saw a new cause of accidents that were not as prevalent in other years – wrong-way accidents. In fact, as of June 2022, 17 people had already been fatally injured in a wrong-way accident in Connecticut. These accidents are so dangerous because if someone is driving the wrong way, they will likely cause a head-on collision. Also, many head-on collisions involve vehicles traveling at high rates of speed. These factors often lead to serious injuries that are typically fatal.
Tips to Avoid a Connecticut Car Accident
If you drive in Connecticut, the likelihood of being involved in an accident is high. In fact, thousands of drivers act recklessly or negligently on the road at any time. You need to drive defensively to avoid an accident and protect yourself. Some additional tips to help you keep yourself and your passengers safe include the following:
- Never follow too closely. Be sure to keep a car length of space between your vehicle and the vehicle you are following. This will provide you plenty of time to stop if the driver brakes ahead.
- Avoid distractions. Distractions are a leading cause of accidents in Connecticut and across the country. When you are behind the wheel, focus on driving and avoid distractions (i.e., eating, drinking, talking to passengers, using your phone, grooming, etc.).
- Follow the traffic laws. You must follow the rules to avoid an accident. This includes speed limits, rights-of-way, and traffic signs and signals.
- Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you drink or do drugs, do not get behind the wheel.
Contact Our Legal Team for Help with Your Connecticut Car Accident Claim
If you are involved in a Connecticut car accident, you may be able to recover compensation. Our legal team can investigate your case and help you prove negligence.
We take pride in representing car accident victims and helping them recover their losses. Contact Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. There is nothing to lose, and we can help you get the full value of your losses through a personal injury claim.
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