Insurance Study Finds that Washington DC Drivers are Worst in Nation

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Statistics paint a grim picture for people on the roadways of our nation’s capital. According to the most recent numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 29 people died in Washington, D.C. traffic accidents in 2009. Of those, 10 involved a blood alcohol content of over 0.08, and 10 involved speeding. Additionally, drivers killed 14 DC pedestrians during the same period. If negligent driving has harmed you or a loved one, a Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer can help you hold those drivers responsible for their actions.

Allstate Insurance recently looked at car accident data from across the country and determined that Washington, D.C. was the worst city in the country. This is the first time the District has topped the list, though it has been one of the worst in the annual ranking for several years now. Washington, D.C. residents have a 95.5 percent better than average chance of being in a car accident. Drivers get into an accident on average every 5.1 years.

Human error continues to be the leading cause of car accidents with driving distractions to blame for a large number of accidents. As the gadgets available to consumers increase, there are more and more demands on the attention of a driver. Drivers should always focus on driving and save other tasks for when they are not behind the wheel. Distractions encompass everything from eating, using a cell phone or changing the radio to reading, putting on makeup or using a navigation system.

If an irresponsible driver has injured you or a loved one, contact Kelly Fisher, a Washington, D.C. personal injury attorney, at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.