Iowa Fatal Crash Statistics

Iowa Fatal Crash Statistics

Despite not yet implementing some of the most recommended traffic safety laws, Iowa has realized a decrease in the total number of fatal accidents. Yet some of the most negative driving behaviors like speeding and drunk driving have not really been affected by enhanced enforcement technique and remain stubbornly high.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 431 drivers were involved in accidents that killed 321 people in 2014 alone. Of these fatalities,

  • 117 were in passenger cars
  • 52 were in pickup trucks
  • 32 were in utility trucks
  • 17 were in vans
  • 11 were in large trucks

Unfortunately, 88 of these drivers and passengers were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. If everyone had been properly restrained, an estimated 20 additional lives could have been saved.

Some of these fatalities were caused by driver error, road hazards, and unfortunately, speeding and impaired driving. Sadly, despite drunk driving law enforcement initiatives and driver-targeted campaigns, Iowa continues to suffer the loss of too many innocent victims to drunk driving. The NHTSA reports that 93 people died in alcohol-related crashes in 2014, and while this is an improvement over a ten-year high of 119 in 2006, it is an increase from a low of 83 in 2011.

Another area that needs improvement is speed related deaths. 45 people died in 2014 because of drivers who were going above the posted speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions of the road.

Motorcycle, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Accidents

Iowa does not have a universal helmet law, and following a ten-year high of 70 motorcyclist fatalities in 2012, about 52 riders died in 2014. Of these riders, 37 were not wearing their helmets. Safety experts estimate that an additional 14 lives could have been saved if all riders wore always wore their helmets when they rode.

The state has not done near enough to protect the most vulnerable road users: cyclists, walkers, and joggers. In fact, four cyclists died in motor vehicle accidents in 2014, up from three cyclist fatalities for the two years prior.

An average of 21 pedestrians are killed by motor vehicles every year in Iowa, and 2014 was no different with 19 deaths. Clearly more needs to be done to ensure the safety of walkers and cyclists across the state.

The number of drivers who are involved in fatal accidents has fallen from a high of 597 in 2005 to a low of 431 in 2014 and of these drivers, about 50 were under the age of 21. A closer look at the types of crashes that occurred in 2014 shows –

  • 207 involved at least one vehicle leaving the roadway
  • 166 were single vehicle crashes
  • 110 involved a vehicle rollover
  • 85 occurred near intersections
  • 48 involved a large truck
  • 45 involved at least one speeding vehicle

Iowa’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured in a car accident or lost a loved one in a fatal crash, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the maximum compensation for their injuries and losses.

Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a

  • Commercial bus crashes
  • School bus accidents
  • Pedestrian accidents
  • Bicycle accidents
  • Truck crashes
  • Motorcycle collisions
  • Commercial vehicle accidents
  • Semi-truck crashes

We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.


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