New report finds traffic deaths increasing worldwide
Drivers in Louisiana and across the U.S. are protected by strong road safety laws that help reduce traffic-related injuries and deaths. However, according to a new report by the World Health Organization, some countries do not offer such strong protections for drivers, passengers and pedestrians.
The 2018 Global Status Report on Road Safety, which was released on Dec. 7, says that 1.35 million people worldwide died in traffic accidents in 2016. That number represents an all-time high and moves traffic-related deaths above of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis as the eighth leading cause of death worldwide. Worse, traffic accidents are now the top reason of death for those between the ages of 5 and 29 around the world.
Despite these sobering statistics, the report also says that the rate of road fatalities has stayed relatively consistent over the past 15 years, hovering around 18 deaths per 100,000 people. However, the risk of dying in a car crash is dependent on where a person lives. People living in countries with low incomes are three times more likely to die in a traffic-related accident than people living in countries with high incomes. In fact, low-income countries possess only 1 percent of the world’s cars and trucks, but they account for 13 percent of all traffic deaths. According to the report, the differences between the strength of traffic laws and the quality of post-crash medical care in low-income and high-income countries are largely responsible for the discrepancy in deaths.
When someone is injured in a car accident, he or she has the right to pursue compensation in civil court. An attorney could evaluate the details of the case, help prepare a solid personal injury lawsuit claim and push to obtain a fair settlement.
Tags: Car Accidents
