The rate of fatal car accidents in the United States went up 9% over the course of last year. Oregon ranked in the top 10 states with the most significant increase in motor vehicle fatalities in 2021. Oregon car accident deaths rose 20% when compared to the year prior, according to a recent study conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC).
These figures are both alarming and devastating as we lose more and more lives on our state’s roads. It is our collective responsibility to be safe and keep each other safe on the road.
Car accident deaths in Portland have risen significantly as well. The City of Roses lost 63 lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2021. According to the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), this is the highest rate of car accident fatalities the city has seen since 1990.
National, Oregon, and Portland Traffic Fatality Statistics for January to September 2021
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its early estimate of motor vehicle traffic fatalities for January to September of 2021. They estimate that car accidents led to almost 32,000 deaths nationwide during these nine months—a 12% increase from the same time period the year before.
According to the same study, Oregon outpaced the national average with an increase of a whopping 29.3% rise in traffic fatalities during the first nine months of 2021. Oregon car accidents took the lives of 100 more people than the same period the year prior, an uptick from 341 lives lost to 441.
Common Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Portland and throughout Oregon
Analysts are still examining the data and have yet to say what exactly is behind this jump in traffic-related fatalities. However, The National Safety Council cited several reasons why there may have been more car accident fatalities this year in comparison to last year, including an increase in:
- Speeding
- Unrestrained vehicle occupants
- Drivers under the influence of alcohol
The COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives in many ways in 2020. In addition to the 350,831 COVID-19 deaths that year, preventable injury-related deaths also experienced a dramatic rise. One factor that contributed to this rise was motor vehicle accident deaths. With fewer cars on the roads, people were driving faster and more recklessly. After three consecutive years of decline, roads became less safe in 2020 as traffic fatalities increased 8.3%. There were 42,338 lives taken in motor-vehicle crashes in 2020, compared to 39,107 in 2019.
Speeding, drunk driving, and reckless driving have been attributed to many of the motor vehicle accident fatalities in Portland. However, data is limited due to the high number of hit-and-runs as well as some deadly accidents still being under investigation. In January 2022, Oregon Live reported that there were already 15 fatalities around the state, including four pedestrian deaths, within the first two weeks of the year. Some Oregonians blame the increase in traffic fatalities on local police department shortages and reduced traffic enforcement.
Have You Lost Someone You Love in an Oregon Car Accident?
If you have lost someone you love in a deadly car accident in Portland or throughout Oregon, you may be eligible for compensation.
Rizk Law fatal car accident attorneys understand the grief and sorrow families experience when a loved one is suddenly taken away. Our legal team can review your situation during a free, no-obligation legal consultation. There is no risk to you in contacting us because we do not charge for our services unless you are awarded compensation.
We want you to focus on being with your family during this challenging time, so you can count on us to manage the entire legal process on your behalf. To schedule your free case evaluation, call our office at (503) 245-5677 or submit a completed contact form today.