Did COVID-19 Lockdowns Reduce Traffic Accidents? It’s Complicated

2020 was an unprecedented year, and observers are still trying to unpack all of the ways that COVID-19 and the related lockdowns affected society. It seems intuitive that the lockdowns and business closures would have reduced the number of drivers on the road and, by extension, traffic accidents. The data, however, paints a complicated picture of how fewer drivers on the road affected road safety.

Fewer Drivers, More Fatalities

There were certainly fewer drivers on the road during the height of the COVID-19 lockdowns. In addition, aggregate data about the total number of accidents is not yet widely available. That said, what is clear is that the number of traffic-related fatalities actually rose during 2020.

According to the National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• Vehicle miles traveled in 2020 decreased 13.2 percent from 2019
• Approximately 38,680 people lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2020, an increase of about 7.2 percent from 2019

According to NHTSA’s analysis, the main factors behind the increase in fatalities were impaired driving, speeding, and failing to wear a seatbelt. Many observers believe that emptier roads led drivers to engage in riskier behaviors generally, resulting in more serious accidents.

Accident Victims Are Often Entitled to Compensation

Fortunately, if you were injured in an accident during the lockdowns or otherwise, you may be entitled to compensation. Under state law, when people are injured by the negligence of other people, victims can usually recover damages for their accident-related losses. Losses that car accident victims can often seek compensation for include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Lost quality of life
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Property damage

How a New Orleans Injury Lawyer Can Help

In the event that you have suffered injuries in an accident, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. Car insurance companies actively try to minimize the amount they pay out on every claim they receive, and an attorney can protect your rights and hold the at-fault driver accountable for their negligence. Some specific ways that a lawyer can help you after an accident include:

• Identifying all potentially liable parties
• Preparing and filing your claim paperwork and demand letter
• Attempting to negotiate a settlement
• Filing a lawsuit on your behalf
• Representing you in court

In many cases, people who are represented by counsel secure significantly more compensation than they would be able to obtain handling their case themselves.

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, there is a good chance that you are entitled to compensation. At Egenberg Trial Lawyers, we work with victims throughout Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf Coast. If you are seeking personal injury representation, we will never collect legal fees unless we secure compensation on your behalf, so there is no risk associated with retaining us to represent you.

Call us today at (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.