In 2015, Louisiana residents traveled 48,180,000 miles. There were 674 fatal crashes with 726 deaths. Pedestrians and bicyclists made up about 19 percent of these deaths. The majority of fatalities occurred in cars, pickups and SUVs, as reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute. Although there is no surefire method of avoiding all accidents, when you know where and when the majority of accidents occur, you can be more aware of your driving.
Close to home
Most driving occurs close to home, in your own neighborhood. In 2004, Progressive Insurance found that over half of all accidents occur within 5 miles of a person’s house. This might be because people go on “autopilot.” You are in a familiar place and forget to stay alert. Some drivers forget to buckle up because they are just going down the street, which leads to more injuries if you have an accident.
Your daily commute is another minefield when it comes to accidents. Late afternoon and evening have higher rates of accidents than morning commutes. This is probably due to tired and stressed drivers trying to get home after their long day at work. There are more cars on the road and more people who are trying to get to their evening plans. The most dangerous times on the road are between 3 p.m. and midnight.
Contact an attorney after a serious accident
Louisiana had 15.5 deaths per 100,000 residents in 2015. Wyoming was the highest with 24.7 deaths per 100,000 people, and the District of Columbia was on the low side with 3.4 deaths per 100,000 residents. Staying alert on the road is vital to your safety.
If you have lost a loved one in an accident, it might be a good idea to speak to an experienced attorney before talking to the insurance company. With an honest assessment of your claim from a third party, you can decide how to proceed and find the best possible outcome.
