With car accident deaths on the rise in Texas and nationwide, motorists must avoid driving while distracted, drunk or drowsy to help reverse the trend, according to the Southeast Texas personal injury attorney at The Law Office of Kevin Krist.

Houston, Texas – Law enforcement, government agencies and motorists themselves must do more to stop the rising number of traffic fatalities, Houston car accident lawyer Kevin Krist said today in response to preliminary statistics about 2012 traffic deaths.

“After several years of fewer deaths resulting from car accidents, we now find the numbers are going up again,” said Krist, founder of The Law Office of Kevin Krist, a firm that represents car accident victims throughout Southeast Texas. “Everyone must take responsibility to make sure we prevent accidents and save lives.”

Krist cited a recent analysis of preliminary 2012 crash data from the National Safety Council (NSC), which reports that there were approximately 36,200 motor vehicle fatalities nationally in 2012, a 5 percent increase from 2011. The figures indicate the first increase since 2004-2005. Injuries from car crashes also went up an estimated 5 percent to a total of 3.9 million, according to the NSC.

“These statistics are great cause for concern and a call to action,” Krist said. “It is important for drivers, as well as police and state and local officials, to take steps to reverse this trend. Laws must be strengthened and enforced, and motorists must monitor themselves to make sure they are not engaging in dangerous practices that cause accidents.”

Texas had especially high numbers in the NSC analysis, with a 14 percent jump in traffic fatalities in 2012. The state had 3,339 car accident deaths in 2012, up from 2,933 in 2011. Furthermore, with 2,798 deaths in 2010, Texas had a 19 percent increase from 2010 to 2012.

“The number of car accident deaths in Texas is especially disturbing. Obviously, we all need to do more to prevent accidents, and the deaths and injuries that come with them, on Texas roadways,” Krist said. “It’s going to take awareness, action and enforcement to stop these accidents and the unsafe driving practices that cause them.”

In addition to the loss of human life, car accidents also take a financial toll, with medical expenses, lost wages and productivity, property damage, employer costs and administrative expenses. According to the NSC data, the estimated cost of motor vehicle deaths, injuries and property damage in the United States was $276.6 billion in 2012, a 5 percent increase from 2011.

“The human and financial losses associated with car accidents are staggering,” Krist said.

Car accidents are caused by a number of things, but most accidents are caused by careless or negligent practices that can be prevented, he said.

“Unfortunately, the major causes of traffic deaths remain unchanged, such as drunk driving, distracted driving, drowsy driving and speeding,” Krist said. “We must make sure that at-fault drivers are held responsible for the damage they cause.”

When careless drivers harm others, victims should take steps to protect their legal rights, Krist said. It is important for victims to contact an experienced personal injury law firm such as the The Law Office of Kevin Krist.

“My firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for accident victims and families in Texas,” he said. “I do everything in my power to make sure victims of negligent and careless drivers get everything they deserve under the law.” 

About The Law Office of Kevin Krist

The Law Office of Kevin Krist is a Houston personal injury law firm dedicated to protecting Southeast Texas residents who have suffered catastrophic injuries in serious and tragic accidents. For more than 25 years, the firm has represented clients in personal injury and wrongful death claims involving auto and truck accidents, aviation accidents, business litigation, catastrophic injury, defective products, explosion or burn injuries, maritime injuries, medical malpractice, spinal injury, traumatic brain injury and workplace accidents. The firm serves accident and injury victims throughout Houston, Harris County, Pasadena, Katy, Baytown, League City and surrounding areas. The firm’s office is located 3401 Allen Parkway, Suite 102, Houston, TX 77019. To learn more about The Law Office of Kevin Krist, call (281) 677-3959 or use the firm’s online contact form.