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ChatCompassionate Lawyer Serving Families of Fatal Crash Victims in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Many Rhode Island police officers and residents were deeply saddened by news that a young police officer, Ryan Bourque, had been killed in a May 23, 2016 head-on collision on Route 95 in Warwick. Officer Bourque had just finished his night shift and was heading home on the first anniversary of his joining the Jamestown police force. His vehicle was hit head on by a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lane. Rhode Island Traffic Management Center cameras captured the other driver making an illegal U-turn one mile south of the crash. There was some evidence that the driver of the other vehicle may have sped up just before the crash.
Night Hours Are Most Dangerous
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the passenger vehicle occupant fatality rate at nighttime is about three times higher than the daytime rate. It seems that many typical dangerous factors are compounded at night. NHTSA research shows many unsafe driving practices significantly increase during the night hours, including:
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Driving (or riding) without a safety belt
The NHTSA says speeding is a factor in 30% of all fatal crashes. Some 18 percent of fatal crashes during the day are alcohol-related, while 54 percent of nighttime crashes are alcohol-related. Particularly unfortunate, because this issue is easy to control, two out of every three people killed in car crashes at night were not wearing a seat belt. For daytime accidents, the percentage of unrestrained fatalities is under 50 percent.
NHTSA data indicates six out of 10 fatal crashes involve just one vehicle during nighttime; while during daytime, six out of 10 fatal crashes are multi-vehicle crashes.
Many Crashes Can Be Avoided
Safety experts agree that traffic safety can be promoted by following a few simple rules:
- Wear a safety belt at all times inside the vehicle
- Drive at an appropriate speed, taking the weather and traffic conditions into mind at all times
- Avoid drinking and driving
Statistics show that it is these very things all too many drivers neglect to do.
Have You or a Family Member Been Involved in a Serious Accident?
More than 35,000 people are killed each year on American streets and highways. Hundreds of thousands are seriously injured. Experts say that 95 percent of those accidents are caused by human error—drivers who negligently operate their vehicles. The consequences of that negligent activity can be severe. Vehicular accident victims face hospitalization, lost time from work, huge medical bills, and significant levels of pain and suffering. Such victims may be able to recover monetary damages for these losses. In most instances, however, the victim needs the assistance of a highly skilled attorney.
Have you or a loved one been injured in an auto accident? If so, you deserve skillful, energetic, and experienced attorneys to help you prepare your case. The injury lawyers at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC have the resources to investigate the accident and fight to protect your legal rights. We will pursue your case at no cost until we win. Remember that delay can harm your case. Our experienced legal team is available 24/7 for a free consultation. Give us a call at 866–529–9700, or complete the convenient online contact form.