It's a moment that no one wants to experience and a phone call that everyone dreads. When you get the news that someone you love has been involved in a fatal car accident, you're entire world halts in its place. In an instant, life becomes a blur and the aftermath becomes a puzzle that is difficult to fit together — particularly since one critical piece is now missing.
Unfortunately, more and more Colorado residents are finding themselves in this same unimaginable circumstance. The number of fatal crashes throughout the state has risen by more than 30 percent since 2014, according to The Denver Post. Perhaps more alarming is the fact that this steep rise in fatal motor vehicle accidents can be directly attributed to the poor decisions that drivers make every day.
The rise in fatal car accidents in Colorado: by the numbers
Safety experts, law enforcement officers and citizens alike were distraught at recent findings, which revealed a sharp rise in fatal car accidents during the last three years. The statistics show:
- There 587 fatal car accidents in 2017. There were 635 fatalities. This is a significant increase from 2014, when there were 488 fatalities as a result of 451 fatal car accidents.
- In 2017, about 37 percent of fatal car accidents occurred as a result of impaired driving. The number of car accidents resulting from impaired driving rose by 41 percent since 2014.
- About 50 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities that occurred in 2017 in Colorado involved drivers or passengers who were not wearing their seat belts.
Why are motor vehicle accidents fatalities on the rise again?
It might be easy to try to justify these fatalities by noting the rising population in the state of Colorado, particularly in metropolitan areas such as Denver. It also would be understandable to attribute these deaths to the inclement weather that Colorado residents must drive in throughout much of the year.
However, the reality of the matter is, people are dying on the roads because drivers are not making good decisions. The number of impaired motor vehicle accidents is on the rise, despite the fact that driving while under the influence of drugs and alcohol is illegal. Drivers also continue to be enamored with an endless number of smart devices, all of which pose distractions while driving and significantly increase the risk of an accident.
It's a problem that is impacting every community in Colorado, including Denver. Law enforcement officials and safety experts note that the issue is not exclusive to one particular intersection, or one dangerous stretch of rural highway that runs through the heart of Colorado. It's a societal issue that simply must be addressed in order to prevent these unnecessary deaths from taking place throughout the year.
Preventing injuries and fatalities while driving in Colorado
In order to reverse this trend and start decreasing the number of deaths that occur on the roadways in Colorado, drivers need to start taking accountability for their actions and decisions. The best way to prevent fatal accidents from occurring is to:
- Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This can include some prescription medication, so it's important to consult a physician regarding any prescriptions that you receive.
- Avoid driving in inclement weather.
- Do not use devices while driving — even hands-free devices. Instead, focus on operating the vehicle while you are behind the wheel.
If someone you love has lost their life in a fatal Colorado motor vehicle accident
If someone that you love is needlessly injured or killed in an accident in which the driver was being negligent, it's critical that you partner with an experienced attorney who specializes in personal injury law. A qualified attorney will be able to collect the necessary evidence to prove your case and will advocate for you throughout the entire process.
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