Auto Accidents
Information
According to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for
Statistics and Analysis, Fatalities in motor vehicle traffic
crashes reached 43,510 in 2005. This was the highest number
of fatalities reached since 1990. Since this recent peak,
the number of reported fatalities has steadily declined
every year, down to 37,261 in 2008. In particular, the
number of fatalities reported for 2008, by NHTSA’s Fatality
Analysis Reporting System (FARS), decreased by almost 10
percent as compared to 2007. The37,261 fatalities reported
for 2008 also represented the lowest level of traffic
fatalities since 1961. With fatalities projected to decline
again in 2009 (down to 33,963), this would mean that between
2005 and 2009 motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities have
declined almost 22 percent. Also in 2008, the fatality rate
per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reached an
all-time low of 1.25. The decline (down 2 percent) in the
VMT was much less significant than the decline in the
fatalities (down 10 percent). In addition to the sustained
benefits from various vehicle and behavioral programs, the
objective of this report is to identify areas that
contributed to this significant decline in 2008.
 This report
analyzes crash data from FARS and the National Automotive
Sampling System General Estimates System (NASS GES), along
with data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS), to provide insight into the recent
decline in fatalities. While the recorded number of
fatalities is projected to significantly decline again in
2009 (down around 9%), the FARS data will not be available
until the fall of 2010 for in-depth analysis. A significant decline from 2007 to 2008, slightly higher than 17 percent, was recorded for fatalities in crashes involving young drivers of passenger vehicles (ages 16-24). In comparison, fatalities in crashes involving passenger vehicle drivers between the ages of 25 to 44 decreased by about 11 percent, those between 45-64 years old decreased by about 10 percent, and those 65 years old and older decreased by about 7 percent. Child fatalities (under 16 years old) decreased by about 20 percent. Other areas of significant declines in fatalities were those that occurred in multiple-vehicle crashes (about 13%), crashes involving large trucks (about 12%), crashes that occurred during the weekend (about 11%) and for occupant fatalities in vehicles that rolled over in multiple-vehicle crashes (19%). Motorcyclist and pedal cyclist fatalities showed an increase in 2008. The long-term declining trend observed in fatalities since reaching a high in the early 1970s has occurred while significant vehicle and occupant safety regulations and programs were being enacted by NHTSA and the States. NHTSA-administered behavioral and vehicle safety programs, both in the crashworthiness and crash avoidance areas, and through the issuing of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards has contributed significantly to the long-term downward trend seen in motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities. Roadway improvements, as well as commercial vehicle programs have also contributed to the decline. In addition to the continued effect of these safety countermeasures, the large drop in fatalities in 2008 and 2009 has also coincided with a recession in the U.S. economy. New Jersey has over 37,000 miles of public roads. In New Jersey, the latest statistics for the first half of 2009 revealed that out of 550 motor vehicle accidents recorded by the New Jersey State Police, 584 fatalities resulted. For Specific statistics by counties, please visit: http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/info/fatalacc/stats-2009.html. These statistics are frightening despite state of the art air bags, recent laws enacted to require the wearing of seatbelts and the use of hands-free cell phones. Accidents happen, and when they do, the potential for devastation is great. In auto accident cases we not only vehemently pursue compensation against the at fault party and their insurance carrier but also frequently represent our client's in arbitration proceedings before the National Arbitration Forum against the auto insurance company responsible for paying their medical bills. This is done when the insurance company refuses to pay the costs of the medical treatment that our clients needed. We provide these services at no cost to our clients. Did you Know? The law provides up to 2 years for your to file a claim or commence legal action against those that injured you and thus recover monetary compensation for such injuries and pain & suffering. With over 3 decades of service in New Jersey, we have successfully represented many clients in both central and northern New Jersey who have suffered physical and emotional pain because of the negligence of others. At the Law Offices of Vincent J. Ciecka, P.C. we highly specialize and been very successful in obtaining high recoveries in auto accidents injury related cases. If you have a situation where you or someone you know might be a victim of this type of injury due to the negligence of someone else, please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your specifics and help you determine if indeed you have a case so you can obtain due compensation for such injuries.  
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