September is the Worst Month for Car Accident Deaths
September 6, 2021
Although most people correctly assume that holidays such as the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s see some of the highest rates of motor vehicle accidents, you may be surprised to learn that September is the deadliest month to be on the road. A study of car accident fatalities from 2009 through 2018 found that September had the highest number of car accident deaths out of any month.
Reasons Why September is So Deadly on the Road
Some of the reasons why experts believe that car accident fatality rates go up in September include:
- Weather — The weather is still warm and pleasant in September, with many people choosing to get out to enjoy the last days of summer before fall weather sets in.
- School — September is when all students are finally back in school. This means increased traffic rates in the early morning and mid-afternoon when parents drop off and pick up their children from school. High school and college students may choose to drive themselves to school — younger drivers have the highest risks of motor vehicle fatalities due to their inexperience behind the wheel and tendency to engage in distracted driving
- Shorter days — Late summer nights begin to end in September as the sun starts setting much earlier than in June, July, and August. The risks of fatal car accidents tend to go up in nighttime driving
- Labor Day — Many of the car accident deaths that occur in September happen over the Labor Day weekend, when many people hit the road to go out to events or travel for vacation.
Top Causes of Fatal Car Accidents
The most common causes of fatal car accidents include:
- Speeding, especially excessive speeding
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
- Drowsy or fatigued driving, and falling asleep behind the wheel
- Adverse weather, including heavy precipitation or fog
Drivers can help reduce their risk of getting into a fatal car accident by obeying the speed limit and slowing down in bad weather or bad road conditions, avoiding texting while driving or getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, and always wearing a seatbelt in the car.
What to Do If You Have Lost a Loved One Due to a Car Accident
If you and your family have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by another negligent or reckless driver, your family may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Your loved one’s medical expenses to treat the fatal injuries they suffered in the accident
- Your loved one’s funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s future financial contributions to the family and household
- The value of your loved one’s services to the household
- Loss of your loved one’s affection, companionship, guidance, and society
You and your family may be entitled to financial recovery in a wrongful death claim. You need to speak to a fatal car accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your legal rights and options and to have your attorney begin investigating the accident to recover the evidence needed to prove how the accident occurred and who was at fault.
Contact a Pittsburgh Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a car accident in Pennsylvania? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Goodrich & Geist, P.C. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western PA counties. Call (412) 766-1455 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3634 California Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. Home visits can be arranged in certain situations.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
