Study Results Show Car Accident Deaths involving Distracted Drivers are Underreported

The National Safety Council recently compiled car accident data from state and federal resources and found that the roll of distracted driving due to cellphone use was underreported in many instances. Data was studied from fatal accident cases which did not have cellphone use listed as a contributing factor in the crash but which had strong evidence that distracted driving was at least part of what resulted in a fatality. Crash data is compiled by the National Safety Council from police reports filed in each state. The information in the reports is therefore highly dependent upon how accurate the data is from witness, individuals involved in the crash, accident investigators and how detailed a report the officers turn in. The recent study used data from certain fatal car crashes that occurred in 2009 through 2011. There were approximately 32,000 deaths due to traffic accidents in 2011 alone but only 385 were reported to have involved cellphone use. The safety council study was undertaken on the suspicion that there were many more distracted driving incidents than that. Make sure you have a personal injury attorney that you can trust representing you if you were hurt in an accident that was not your fault.

Distracted Driving Reports Improved but Still Likely to be Underreported

After examining particular cases between 2009 and 2011 it was found that attention to flagging the involvement of cellphone use in accidents has increased but is still likely underreported. About 8 percent of the 2009 crashes studied which involved cellphone use were coded in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as such. Percentages improved in subsequent years with 35 percent in 2010 and about 50 percent in 2011. A look into the state by state distracted driving accidents showed similar but varying degrees of inadequacies in how cellphone use was reported. Advocacy groups and car insurance companies are hoping that the study will push the fact that getting accident information involving the roll of cellphone use is crucial in getting an accurate picture of what factors are leading to fatalities. Once the data is made more accurate then it can be used to bring about new laws and other actions that can help prevent distracted driving accidents.

Personal Injury Lawyer for Car Accident Cases in Charleston

Contact us at the McLeod Law Group as soon as possible if you were injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver or other negligence. We understand what you are going through and how important it is to get the compensation you need for your recovery. You deserve effective representation and swift results!