An Increase In Serious Vehicle Accidents is Surprising And Unsettling To Police

In Fargo, North Dakota there has been a recent rash of vehicle accidents in the last few years that are making people question what the problem is. The last three years in particular have been particularly tragic, resulting in multiple fatalities. Five fatalities and seven accidents have taken place in a short period of time. This is significant because of how devastating it is but also because they are the only fatal accidents that have occurred as the result of vehicle accidents in Fargo, North Dakota in the last two years.

The increase in accidents has become a strain to the Fargo police department’s traffic unit, which has unfortunately slowed down the investigations into the particulars of each accident. One of the issues that makes an accident investigation more complicated is when an accident requires accident reconstruction in order to fully investigate. This can be taxing on the officers whose expertise is needed. All seven of the recent accidents needed accident reconstruction.

The accidents began on September 29, 2010. Police suspected that alcohol was involved when a driver was injured in a one vehicle accident. On the very next day, a couple in Fargo died after the motorcycle they were on hit a bus as it was turning into a driveway. One month later, on Friday, October 1, a motorcycle was struck by a pickup truck and the motorcyclist was seriously injured.

One week later another series of accidents occurred. On Friday, October 8, a 51 year old pedestrian was struck and killed by a car as he was crossing the street. Seven days later on October 15, a 21 year old drove his car into a building while under the influence, and then fled the scene of the accident. The man was charged with reckless endangerment, driving while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident. The very next day there was another tragic accident when a vehicle struck a tree and killed one of the passengers, a 17 year old high school junior. Criminal charges may be filed against the driver and two of the passengers in the car.

The last fatality in this devastating string of accidents took place on October 17. A vehicle struck a highway underpass pillar after crossing through a traffic median. The driver was 23 years old and was killed in the crash. Police suspected that the accident was part of a drag racing competition that went terribly wrong.

Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota, yet there are actually a relatively small number of fatal motor vehicle accidents, especially in recent years, with the exception of this strong of horrendous fatalities. In fact, there were no fatalities at all in 2009, and only one in 2008. Before 2010 there was an average of only 1.7 deaths per year for the ten years prior to this rash of accidents. This dramatic increase in serious crashes and fatalities resulted in Fargo police having to take notice and step up law enforcement. Police reported that monitoring busy areas at times of heavy traffic like rush hour were a priority. Additionally, because several of the accidents involved intoxicated drivers and reckless driving, police were working to promote and stress the importance of safe driving in high schools and to discourage drunk driving and other negligent, reckless behaviors.

These accidents were shocking because Fargo is a relatively safe place for drivers. But these accidents show that careless driving can happen anywhere. If you are the victim of another driver acting negligently or recklessly, you can recover compensation for medical expenses and other damages that result from the accident.

MIssouri Car Accident Attorneys

Endangering other drivers and individuals is never acceptable, and if you have been the victim of an accident and have sustained injuries or damage to your vehicle you should contact an experienced auto accident attorney. A St. Louis auto accident attorney can help you to get justice and the compensation you need in order to recover and move forward with your life.

Contact The Hoffmann Law Firm today at (866) 763-6433 for your free and private consultation. We have the knowlege and experience to assist you.