After the pandemic, more and more drivers are hitting the road attempting to bring back some normalcy to their lives. Workplaces are opening back up and travel is on the upswing despite heavy gas prices. This has led to an increase in fatalities across the country and in Montana in the last year.

The Montana Department of Transportation has noted a 14.8 percent increase in fatalities in 2021. So far in 2021, more than 186 people lost their lives in traffic accidents across the state. From Helena to Billings, drivers are engaging in significantly more risky driving behaviors like speeding, not using seatbelts, and impaired driving. This has had a direct impact on the number of fatalities on Montana roads.

Common Causes of Road Fatalities in Montana

  1. Speeding. There are many factors that contribute to road fatalities, but speeding is one of the most common and preventable causes. Speeding increases the chances of losing control of a vehicle, and it also decreases the amount of time a driver has to react to hazards.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding was a factor in 26 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2018. That year, there were 9,378 speed-related deaths nationwide. These numbers underscore the need for drivers to slow down and obey posted speed limits.

  1. Drunk Driving. One of the most common causes of road fatalities is drunk driving. Every year, thousands of people are killed in alcohol-related crashes. Drunk driving is especially dangerous because it impairs a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle safely. When drivers get behind the wheel after drinking, they are more likely to make mistakes that can lead to accidents.
  1. Distracted Driving. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of road fatalities. When drivers do not have their full attention on the task of driving, they can cause horrific pedestrian, bicycle, and motor vehicle accidents. Distracted driving is the cause of roughly 3,000 deaths per year: 3,142 deaths in 2019, 2,628 deaths in 2018 and 3,003 deaths in 2017, according to the NHTSA.
  1. Drowsy Driving. Each year, fatigued and sleepy drivers account for about 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). AAA estimates that drowsy driving is such a problem that it actually causes nearly 10 percent of all fatal crashes.
  1. Aggressive driving. Aggressive driving and road rage are factors in over half of all fatal motor vehicle crashes, according to AAA Foundation for Safety. While speeding is a common form of aggressive driving, there are many other behaviors that can result in fatalities. Some of those include tailgating, running red lights, using rude gestures, weaving in and out of traffic, and forcing other cars off the road.

How a Lawyer Can Help

Being injured in a  car accident in Montana is a tragic event that no one should ever have to endure. When you find out that another driver’s negligence caused the crash, you and your family may have legal options to consider. While no amount of money could ever make up for certain loses, you and your family should not have to endure unnecessary financial hardships on top of your grief.

A Montana car accident lawyer can help you put the pieces of your life back together again. They can handle the legal aspects of your case for you, so you can focus on the things that truly matter in your life. Family members can often file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for pain and suffering, as well as loss of support.

Contact Our Helena Car Accident Lawyers

If someone you love was injured in a car accident in Montana, we can help. Let Doubek, Pyfer & Storrar help your family through this horrible time. We can help lift the legal burdens you are carrying and ensure that you and your family find justice after experiencing an accident. Without a lawyer on your side, you might not get the help you need to rebuild your life.

To learn more about your legal options, you can fill out a contact form on our website, and we can contact you, or you can call us now at 406-442-7830 and get your immediate questions answered.