With the Fourth of July just around the corner, you, like other individuals and families, are making plans to enjoy this upcoming national holiday. Whether it is a staycation for you in Pennsylvania or you are traveling into the state to celebrate, one thing remains certain year after year. Motor vehicle traffic is at a high during this timeframe. Increased drivers means an increased risk for accidents, due to the increase of traffic and reckless activities, such as speeding and drunk driving.
Because the Fourth of July weekend is a time for increased motor vehicle accidents, a current study explored the rate of these incidents, pinpointing the states considered to be the most dangerous during this timeframe. Data collected from 2008 to 2017 was used in this assessment, with 2017 being the highest rate of fatal crashes. That year there were 531 deaths from 486 car crashes.
When assessing the numbers in each state, the state considered the most dangerous during the Fourth of July weekend is California with 177 fatal accidents from 2008 to 2017. This is followed by Florida, Missouri and Pennsylvania, respectively.
When looking into the fatal accidents during this timeframe, it was found that 45.71% of the fatal crashes from 2008 to 2017 involved drunk driving. Drinking and driving is a concern year-round; however, during holidays like the Fourth of July, there is an increased concern for this reckless driving behavior.
Although you anticipate celebrating during this time of year, many individuals unfortunately suffer significant harms due to negligent drivers over the Fourth of July. Whether it is due to distractions, speeding, intoxication or any other reckless activity, victims of a car accident should take the time to understand the cause of the crash. This can help establish liability in a personal injury action, which assists with the recovery of compensation for the losses suffered.