When driving the roads of Massachusetts, it’s not uncommon to see a car accident on the side of the road. Unfortunately, accidents are an unavoidable part of using cars as our main mode of transportation. However, many people feel that these accidents have become a more frequent site in recent years.
Car Accident Statistics from Recent Years
Luckily, we can take a look at some cold, hard facts to determine if car accidents are truly on the rise in Massachusetts. Here are some worrying statistics that may give us an answer as to whether or not car accidents are increasing in the Bay State.
- In 2021, Massachusetts experienced the year with the highest number of car accidents in over a decade.
- In 2022, Massachusetts experienced 409 fatal car accidents.
- In 2023, there were 134,269 car accidents in Massachusetts. This works out to about one accident every four minutes.
- In the first two months of 2024, there had already been 15, 948 reported car accidents in Massachusetts.
These stats paint a grim picture, and point to the conclusion that car accidents are indeed on the rise in Massachusetts. MassDOT Administrator Jonathan Gulliver even gave a statement voicing his opinion that road safety in the state was at crisis level. With this in mind, drivers should have their guard up when driving in Massachusetts.
The Risk Factors
So, what factors are contributing to this increased risk of experiencing a car crash? Well, for one there is the increase of distracted drivers on the road. This is primarily due to the widespread use of smartphones. On your morning commute, you’re almost guaranteed to see someone texting while driving. In fact, cell phone use is involved in 12% of car accidents in the United States. Another contributing factor is the increasing age of your average driver. As the baby boomer generation has aged, there are now more elderly drivers on roadways in general. Elderly drivers account for 10.5% of all car accidents. Finally, there is the increased congestion on roadways. There are now more cars on the road than ever before, causing congested highways and surface streets. With more cars on the road, it is no surprise that accidents become much more likely.
What Happens After a Car Accident?
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic and harrowing experience for all involved. It is important to keep a clear head in the aftermath. To this end, it can be helpful to know beforehand what steps you should take after a car accident.
- Call 911
For any serious accident, emergency services should be called immediately. Paramedics will be able to take care of any injured parties and the police will be able to make an accident report which can later be used by insurance companies as well as lawyers if necessary.
- Check for Injuries
After 911 has been called, if you are able and it is safe to do so, check on everyone involved in the accident. Make sure there are no serious injuries, and if there are, provide first aid to the best of your abilities.
- Exchange Information
In order to make any sort of insurance or legal claim, you will need the other driver’s information. This includes name, address, and insurance information. Leaving the scene of an accident without providing this information is illegal.
- Gather Evidence
Pictures of damage, car position, and injuries can become valuable information later when it comes to proving who was at fault. Send these along to your insurance company and lawyer if necessary.
- Contact Your Insurance Company
Your insurance company will likely have a stipulation that an accident must be reported to them within a certain time frame, usually seven days. After this, your insurance company will handle all negotiation with the other driver’s insurance company.
- Retain Legal Advice Engage the services of an experienced car accident attorney. They will help you receive compensation for any injuries or other damages you have sustained as a result of the accident.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents
Knowing the most common types of car accidents can be helpful in avoiding them. The types of accidents you’re most likely to be involved in are:
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Side Swipe accidents
As you’re driving, keep these accidents in mind and be on the lookout for anything that could cause them. Doing this could prevent an accident, which means it could prevent serious injury or even death.
