While it can be tough to read and hear about fatal car crashes, to stay educated, we must be aware. The end result of a vehicle crash spans the spectrum.
The crash, and yet it may be an accident, could be a minor fender bender resulting in minimal damage to all persons and vehicles involved. The collision could be a sideswipe where the vehicle damage and injury to those affected will matter entirely on many factors, from the vehicles’ speed to the crash angle. The crash could be a head-on collision, and we are all aware that while there are exceptions, extreme impacts like that often end with a family in mourning.
In Mississippi, these fatal crashes are happening at a far too common pace. Statistics provided by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety show that Mississippi leads the country in fatal vehicle crashes per 100,000 people. 664 people lost their lives from 597 crashes on Mississippi roadways in 2018. That equates to 22.2 deaths per 100,000 people in the state. For a state whose total population hovers around 3 million, that’s a shockingly high number and the highest in the country. The second highest was Alabama at 19.5 per 100,000.
Comparing the numbers
What makes the Mississippi figures stand out is how it compares to other states with very similar populations. Arkansas (17.1), Connecticut (8.2), Kentucky (16.2), Oklahoma (16.6), and Oregon (12.1), whose populations align closely with Mississippi’s, all had crash fatality numbers quite a bit lower and significantly lower in some cases.
While many factors played a role in the fatalities, alcohol was the main culprit. 378 or nearly 57% of Mississippians than lost their lives were either struck by a drunk or buzzed driver or were under the influence themselves. Aggressive and reckless driving may get us places quicker and provide a rush, but is it worth risking lives or causing severe injury?
Crash victims deserve to be heard and receive compensation. If you feel that you have a case, don’t hesitate to contact a Mississippi personal injury attorney.
