Final FARS Data from NHTSA Shows Dramatic Increase in Motor Vehicle Accident Deaths

For the first time since 2005, the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has indicated an increase in motor vehicle accident deaths in the United States. The final FARS data, which the NHTSA released last November 14, showed that the country lost 33,561 people in 30,800 fatal crashes in 2012; a 3.3 percent increase from the previous year, which stood at 32,479 from 29,867 fatal crashes in 2011.

This slight increase came after the U.S. saw a significant decline in the number of motor vehicle crash deaths over the past six years. In fact, the crash deaths for 2011 were the lowest since 1949. Before the NHTSA released its final accident data for 2012, the traffic safety agency issued a projection earlier this year estimating that the number of deaths for that year will be 34,080.

The increase in the number of crashes and resulting deaths and injuries can be seen over various crash characteristics, particularly in the type of road user. In fact, the 2012 data saw an uptick in the number of large truck occupant, pedestrian and motorcycle deaths. All of them saw an 8.9 percent, 7.1 percent and 6.4 percent increase, respectively, from the previous year.

Settling Your Dog Bite Claim in Los Angeles, California

While dogs are gentle animals, they can still potentially injure their own masters or other people with their intense bite. Injured persons often suffer physical injuries such as lacerations, bruises, and puncture wounds. If left untreated, a victim may suffer serious complications, especially if the dog is infected with the deadly rabies virus.

Indeed, experiencing this type of avoidable injury is a horrifying experience. If you have been bitten by someone else’s dog in Los Angeles, expect that you won’t only be dealing with physical pain, but also emotional and financial hardships that might very well rub off on your family as well. But then, you must be aware that there are dog bite laws in California that you can always lean on to. Generally, if you have been bitten by someone else’s dog, then you may be entitled to compensation from the owner, as long as you can prove the owner’s negligence.