South Dakota Fatal Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of people who die in motor vehicle accidents each year decreased from 191 deaths in 2006 to 133 in 2015. While this is a significant decrease, it is an increase from the lowest total of 111 in 2011.
Of those who died in traffic crashes, 94 were occupants in passenger vehicles. Sadly, 60 of those passengers were not wearing their seatbelts at the time of the accident. The NHTSA estimates that seat belts saved the lives of 40 people and could have saved 24 more if all passengers buckled up every time they traveled.
Alcohol-related accident fatalities decreased slightly over a ten-year period from 2006 to 2015, from a high of 67 deaths to 43 respectively. Speed-related deaths also decreased slightly, falling from a high of 49 in 2007 to a low of 30 in 2014 before increasing to 31 in the last year of the data.
Motorcycle fatalities reached their highest in 2015 with 31 riding dying in accidents, after falling to a low of 14 in 2011. Unfortunately, 22 of the 31 riders who died were not wearing their helmets. The NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 5 riders and could have saved 8 more if all riders would wear their helmets when they rode.
The number of drivers under the age of 21 who were involved in fatal accidents significantly decreased over the ten-year period, falling from 35 to 14. This decrease could be due in part to the state’s implementation of the Graduated Driver’s License program, which gives new drivers more time to learn the skills they need to be safe on the road.
Most of the country saw an increase in pedestrian deaths in 2014/15, South Dakota however, bucked that trend, with pedestrian motor vehicle deaths falling from a high of 10 in 2008 to 5 in 2015.
If you have 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 compensation they deserve.
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.