In the latest driver safety rankings issued by www.carinsurancecomparison.com, Pennsylvania does not fare well. In fact, it ranks as the 15th worst state in terms of driver safety and the 3rd worst state in terms of failure to obey fatalities.
Behind the Rankings
Using the latest data from several sources,including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Motorists Association, and Mothers Against Drink Driving, this car insurance information site ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia on five factors:
- Overall Fatality Rate
- Fatalities Caused by Failure to Obey Situations
- Drunk Driving
- Tickets
- Careless Driving
For three of those categories, PA ranked in the bottom half of states. Only 15 other states had a higher fatality rate. Only 3 states had more fatal accidents caused by failure to obey situations. And only 18 states had a higher rate of fatalities caused by drunk driving.
The silver linings of the study are that PA ranked as relatively safe in terms of careless driving fatalities and tickets issued.
Failure to Obey Situations
The site defines these situations as fatal crashes that occurred because an involved party failed to obey a traffic safety device (e.g. a traffic signal) or failed to use a seat belt. It cannot be overstated: Only 3 states ranked worse than PA in this study category. This means drivers in our state are not obeying basic safety rules nearly as much as drivers (almost) anywhere else!
What These Stats Mean for Philadelphia Drivers
Traffic signals, signs, and seat belts exist to protect your safety and the safety of other drivers. If you are in an accident and injured because the other driver failed to obey a traffic signal or sign, they will most likely be designated as the at-fault party. This can have far-reaching implications to your insurance claim and your personal injury case.
If this happens to you anywhere in the Philadelphia area, I highly recommend that you seek out a personal injury lawyer. We can help you recover monetary losses related to the accident, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Diminishment of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your car and other property
Members of your family may, in some cases, be entitled to recover for some of their losses based on your injury, and in certain cases you may even be entitled to punitive damages.
There are many complex legal aspects that go into every personal injury case. Don’t settle for less than you deserve if you were injured because the other party failed to obey traffic signals or signs. Call (267) 627-4JOE (267-627-4563) and let us help you get compensated to the maximum extent of the law.
