Motor vehicle collisions are one of the leading causes of injury and death worldwide. The experience of a car accident can be terrifying. What’s more, it can leave a person with devastating, sometimes catastrophic, or even fatal injuries.
If you have been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one to a traffic fatality caused by someone else’s negligence, contact a Denver car accident lawyer immediately. Before you speak to an insurance adjuster or investigator, consult with your attorney. An attorney will have your best interests in mind and can handle your case so that you get the full settlement you deserve.
Read on to learn more about recent traffic fatalities in Colorado and why it’s essential to seek legal counsel afterward.
Aurora
The Aurora Police Department is investigating a recent fatal crash that marked Colorado’s 21st traffic fatality of 2022. The crash happened around 11:25 pm at South Peoria St. and East Alameda Avenue intersection.
Investigators have released the cars involved as a blue Pontiac Grand Prix and a Subaru. The Pontiac Grand Prix driver was speeding northbound on South Peoria Street and ran a red light at the intersection of East Alameda Avenue.
The Pontiac driver then crashed into the Subaru, after which the Subaru driver was pronounced dead. The driver and passenger of the Pontiac were taken to the hospital for non-fatal injuries.
Denver
Traffic Fatalities continue to happen year after year in Colorado. According to the Denver Police Department, Denver observed 84 traffic-related deaths in 2021. That makes it the deadliest year in the past 20 years.
The all-time high recorded in Denver’s history is 100 traffic fatalities in 1969. Furthermore, the Colorado Department of Transportation has registered an 11.9% increase in traffic fatalities from 2020 to 2021.
According to data collected by Denver Streets Partnership, there have been 399 traffic fatalities in Denver since February 2016. In addition, the Denver Police Department had released a report showing that in 2010, the total count was 42, exactly half of 2021’s number. In 2019, the decade finished with 71 deaths, which was still fewer than in 2021 alone.
Here is a count of traffic fatalities by month, according to the Denver Police Department
- January 2022 – 3 fatalities
- February 2022 – 6 fatalities
- March 2022- 6 fatalities
- April 2022 – 2
- Total traffic fatalities observed by colorado in 2022 – 21 fatalities
Two fatalities occurred on April 1st, one a hit-and-run crash involving two automobiles near the Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. and Colorado blvd intersection. The other occurred near Speer Boulevard and Broadway and involved a collision between a motorist and a pedestrian.
So far, of the seventeen car accidents in Denver in 2022, seven have resulted in pending or pressed criminal charges. Of those seven charges, two cases were classified as hit-and-runs. While most of the accidents were incidents of a single car or multiple car crashes, five accidents involved a pedestrian.
Denver’s Action Plan
Denver Vision Zero is a Denver city initiative to reach zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in Denver by 2030. Here are some facts about Denver traffic fatalities according to Denver Vision Zero:
- The leading causes of fatal crashes are speeding and reckless, careless, and aggressive driving.
- After speeding and reckless driving, DUIs and not wearing seatbelts, and not wearing a helmet on a motorcycle are also top culprits.
- Only 5 Percent of Denver Streets Account for Half of All Traffic Deaths in Denver
Sadly, with the high number of traffic fatalities in 2021 and the rate at which they are occurring in 2022, Denver is nowhere near its goal.
Denver’s Department of Transportation is calling for change that will reduce dependency on car travel, such as:
- Expanding bus lanes, especially on dangerous streets. The city has identified 27 dangerous streets in Denver as “high-injury networks.”
- The city also plans to build a bus rapid transit line.
- Another initiative is to rebuild the transportation department workforce by providing fair wages and better working conditions.
Jill Locantore, the executive director of the Denver Streets Partnership, has released a statement stressing the city’s urgency to implement these initiatives. “We have no time to waste. The alarming rate of fatal and preventable traffic crashes on our streets demands urgent action.” Jill Locantore, executive director of the Denver Streets Partnership, said in a statement.
Last year in 2021, the Denver City Council approved lowering the city’s speed limit to 20 mph on thousands of residential streets.
US Traffic Deaths
The alarming rate of traffic deaths is not unique to Colorado. The US hit a 16-year high in 2021, with an estimated 42,915 people dying on the roads of America.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, there was a 10.5% increase in traffic fatalities from 2020 to 2021. In 2020, 38,824 traffic deaths were reported in the US.
Get Legal Help for Your Car Accident Injuries
If you sustained injuries in a car accident or a pedestrian accident that someone else caused, you have a right to seek compensation. In addition, if you lost your loved one to a traffic fatality, you can file a wrongful death suit. Contact an experienced Denver car accident attorney today to discuss your case details.
Contact a Denver Car Accident Lawyer Today
Anyone who is on the roads is subject to a car accident. Unfortunately, the statistics show that car accidents in the US and Colorado continue to become more severe, even deadly.
If you sustained injuries or lost a loved one to a fatal car accident, your best course is to hire a car accident lawyer with the knowledge and experience to guide you through the process. An experienced Denver Car Accident Lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
It may feel like your life has been turned upside down after an unexpected tragedy that leaves you with injuries, medical bills, stress, and more – even more so if you lost a loved one to a fatal car crash. However, you don’t have to deal with such a traumatic experience alone.
Our Denver car accident lawyers have handled countless cases and helped victims recover compensation after car accidents. Furthermore, we have represented clients with numerous wrongful death cases. We take a personalized approach to every client, which allows us to provide direct and tailored support. In addition, we will fight tirelessly to ensure you get a fair settlement. Call us today for a free consultation.
