Like other states, Colorado has seen an increase in traffic deaths since the global pandemic began. Traffic fatalities had increased by 15% in Colorado by November 2021, as reported by Fox 31. Although stay-at-home orders kept more people off the roads, the number of fatal crashes actually rose. An analysis of 22 states, including Colorado, and the District of Columbia was conducted by researchers at Sam Schwartz. According to this analysis, the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled for the first six months of the year increased by 12.7% from 2019 to 2020.
Why Are There More Accidents When Fewer People Are Driving?
The increase in the crash fatality rate in Colorado and many other states is attributed to dangerous driving behavior. With fewer vehicles on the roads, more drivers are neglecting to wear their seatbelts and ignoring the rules of the road. Emptier roads have been seen as an invitation to speeding and unsafe driving behaviors. Pandemic driving behavior continued in 2021 and Colorado set a new record for the number of fatal crashes. Traffic deaths are up 50% from a decade ago.
What Are the Common Causes of Accidents During Covid?
The main reason for the increase in traffic deaths is that drivers are making risky personal choices, such as:
- Running stop signs and red lights
- Aggressive driving
- Extreme speeding
- Driving impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Driving distracted
How Are Fatal Crashes Occurring in Colorado and the U.S.?
More than 35% of fatal crashes in Colorado in 2021 involved impaired drivers, as stated on Fox 31. Officials agree that the main contributing factor to the rise in crash fatalities is human error. Across the nation, more people died in 2020 from:
- Being ejected from a motor vehicle or otherwise sustaining fatal injuries because they were not wearing a seatbelt
- Crashes that occurred on urban interstates
- Speed-related collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Nighttime accidents
- Drunk driving crashes
How Has Covid Affected Denver’s Vision Zero Plan?
Vision Zero was started in 2017 with the goal of reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries to zero by the year 2030. The pandemic has sent the city moving in the opposite direction. There had already been 73 traffic fatalities in Denver by November 11, 2021, which was up from 57 for the whole of 2020, as reported on Denverite.com. The good news is that pedestrian deaths in Denver fell from 25 in 2019 to 12 as of September 30, 2021.
How Can a Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Help If You Have Been Hurt or Lost a Loved One in a Car Accident?
If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have a right to seek compensation for your losses. Your best chance of recovering the maximum compensation available and holding responsible parties accountable is to have an experienced Colorado personal injury attorney by your side.
At the Bussey Law Firm, we believe you shouldn’t have to deal with insurance companies after a serious crash. Their goal is to minimize their payout or discredit your claim entirely. It is our job to protect your interests, deal with insurance companies on your behalf, and effectively pursue the compensation you deserve.
Our Colorado personal injury lawyers can investigate your accident, secure evidence to support your claim, assess the full extent of your losses, and build a strong case based on the facts. We offer a free consultation. Call us today at (719) 475-2555 to find out if you have a case, what damages you may be entitled to claim, and what we can do to help you.