Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Nearly 43,000 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2021, according to estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). That figure marks a 10.5% increase in deaths from 2020 and the highest number of traffic fatalities in 16 years.
Fatal motor vehicle crashes in Massachusetts were responsible for 417 of those deaths. Of the total accident fatalities in the state, around 59% were the occupants of vehicles, 18% were pedestrians, 17% were motorcyclists, and 1% were bicyclists.
While Massachusetts still has one of the lowest rates of fatal crashes per capita in the U.S., some roads in the state are more dangerous than others. In order to identify which highways are the deadliest, Stacker ranked 2020 traffic fatality data compiled by NHTSA. Ties between locations were broken by the total quantity of crashes when possible.
#1. I-195 E
Number of fatalities: 6
#1. I-93 N
Number of fatalities: 6
#3. I-495 N
Number of fatalities: 5
#3. SR-24 S
Number of fatalities: 5
#5. I-495 S
Number of fatalities: 5
#5. I-95 N
Number of fatalities: 5
#7. School St
Number of fatalities: 4
#7. SR-24 N
Number of fatalities: 4
#9. Main St
Number of fatalities: 4
#10. I-95 S
Number of fatalities: 3
#10. SR-2
Number of fatalities: 3
More Massachusetts Car Accident Statistics
Car crash fatality rates can depend on a variety of factors, including types of vehicles driven, driving speeds, rates of licensure, state traffic laws, emergency services, weather patterns, and road conditions. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) highlights the following facts, based on data analyzed from NHTSA’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
- Seat Belt Use
According to daytime observational surveys, the national rate of seat belt use for front-seat passenger vehicle occupants in 2021 was 90%. In Massachusetts, however, that number was only 78%. This marked one of the lowest rates of seat belt use in the nation, behind only New Hampshire (76%).
- Rural vs. Urban
Across the country, 40% of motor vehicle accident fatalities in 2021 occurred in rural areas. Massachusetts was the state with the lowest percentage of crash deaths on rural roads, with only 6% of fatalities occurring outside urban areas.
- Impaired Drivers
By state, the estimated percentage of fatally injured drivers with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08% or higher ranged from a high of 47% in Montana to a low of 21% in West Virginia. The percentage of impaired drivers killed in Massachusetts fell in between, with an estimate of 36%.
Massachusetts Car Crash Lawyers
If you’ve been involved in an auto accident in Massachusetts, a local attorney can help protect your rights and explain your options. The Boston car accident lawyers have been representing people involved in traffic crashes for over 50 years. We can investigate your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and even litigate a case if needed to help you receive compensation for your injuries. we have represented thousands of satisfied clients in our 50 plus years of service in Massachusetts. Our dedicated team of car accident attorneys lead by Steven and David Altman are available to speak to about you case. Our staff is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. we know there is never a good time for an accident but we assure you we can make the process as easy as possible. Contact us today for a free consultation on your MA car accident case.
Sources
- https://www.iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/state-by-state
- https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/early-estimate-2021-traffic-fatalities
- https://stacker.com/massachusetts/these-are-highways-massachusetts-most-fatalities
