More Tennessee Traffic Accidents brings Increased Risk of Trucking Accidents in Knoxville, elsewhere

The National Safety Council recently reported that motor vehicle deaths for the first 11 months of 2010 are down 4% from the previous year. Most states can lay claim to playing a part in the decrease, but not Tennessee. Motor vehicle deaths have increased in Tennessee.

Knoxville personal injury lawyers understand that an increase in fatal Tennessee car accidents signals a renewed risk of serious or fatal trucking accidents in Maryville, Knoxville and elsewhere in the state. Road Safe America reports large commercial trucks have a higher fatal crash rate than all other vehicles on the road. And as we reported recently on our Tennessee Injury Attorney Blog, significantly more fatal accidents were reported last year in Blount County, including Alcoa and Maryville.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that about three-quarters of trucking accident victims are passengers of other vehicles or are non-occupants, such as bicyclists or pedestrians.

The NSC reported 31,740 motor vehicle deaths during the first 11 months of 2010. The U.S. total in 2009 for January-November was 33,180, showing -4% change in deaths. The percent change from 2008 to 2010 was -13%, reporting a total of 36,460 motor vehicle deaths from January-November 2008.

Unfortunately, Tennessee was not one of the states that contributed to the downward trend reported by the NSC. Although the stats are incomplete, Tennessee over the course of an 8 month period reported 679 motor vehicle deaths in 2010. During these same 8 months for 2009, there were 636 motor vehicle fatalities reported.

It’s estimated that a 7% increase occurred between 2009 and 2010. In 2008, 659 motor vehicle deaths were reported during the 8 month period leading to a 3-year change of +3%.

The 2008 Traffic Safety Facts data reported by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows a 20% overall increase in passenger vehicle registrations from 1999-2008. Over 25,000 occupants of passenger vehicles were fatally injured in traffic crashes nationwide in 2008.

The estimated annual population death rate was 11.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2010. The NSC estimates the annual mileage death rate for 2010 during the first 11 months was 1.1 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. This is a 9% decrease from 2009.

As the death count decreases, however, the estimated costs associated with traffic accidents in the United States continued to rise. up 12 percent to $216.5 billion through November of last year.

Additionally, the NSC now measures nonfatal injuries differently, dictating that it should be all medically consulted injuries as opposed to the more vague “disabling injuries.” It is estimated for January-November 2010 there were 3.1 million motor vehicle injuries serious enough to require medical attention.

The Hartsoe Law Firm offers assistance to Tennessee drivers involved in automobile accidents in Knoxville or Blount County. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured, call (865) 804-1011 for a free appointment to discuss your case.