Attorney
A recent press release by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed an estimated 34,925 transportation fatalities in the United States in 2010. The data takes into account deaths in traffic accidents, railroad accidents, bus crashes, and pipeline accidents.
According to the NTSB data, the fatality number is too high even though it is down by about 1,000 from the previous year. The majority of car accident deaths involve passenger vehicles, vans, and light trucks. The biggest increase in fatalities occurred from motorcycle accidents, with 4,502 deaths in 2010.
Deaths from pipeline accidents rose to 22 from 13 in 2009. The high-profile pipeline explosion in San Bruno, California, that killed eight people is largely responsible for the increase. A federal investigation into the explosion revealed errors and shortcuts in pipeline construction as the main cause of the explosion. Deaths in commercial aviation accidents dropped remarkably from 52 in 2009 to 2 in 2010.
Despite the few categories with a decrease in fatalities, the NTSB said the overall increase in deaths is a concern. An NTSB spokesperson cited human factors, equipment and infrastructure as responsible for most of the fatalities.
Did a loved one suffer an injury in any of the above categories this past year? Our team would like to help. Contact us today.
Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.
Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys
Approved by attorney Peter DePaolis