Increase in PA Driving Fatalities over New Year’s Holiday
The Pennsylvania State police reported that the number of driving fatalities this year during the New Year’s holiday weekend nearly doubled since last year. An article in The Philadelphia Inquirer said that eleven people were killed and 220 others were injured in the 693 car crashes during the four-day period. Seventy-six of the car accidents were alcohol-related.
According to The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, in recent years, the number of fatalities involving an impaired driver during New Year’s is 60 percent higher than the rest of the month. Over New Year’s between 2001 and 2005, there were about 54 alcohol-related traffic deaths per day.
With so many people celebrating on New Year’s Eve, many people make the poor choice of getting behind the wheel after drinking. When drivers choose to drive under the influence, it not only threatens the lives of themselves and others, but leads to legal ramifications.
Families of car accident victims in Pennsylvania have the right to seek damages from reckless motorists on behalf of lost loved ones. They would be advised to seek the services of an experienced auto accident attorney who will examine all circumstances surrounding an accident to determine which driver was negligent. If you or a loved one were injured over the New Year’s holiday in a car crash, the Philadelphia car crash lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP can offer you a free consultation. Call our attorneys today at 888-684-2374 for more information.
