Ohio Car Accident Statistics High, New Law Could Increase Accidents
Ohio car accident statistics are grim. While there has been a marked decrease in the number of accidents statewide over the past five years, the number of persons injured and killed each year remains far too high. When the speed limit increases this July, some worry that the statistics may get worse.
Weather, distracted driving, and deer have a significantly negative impact on the safety of Ohio’s highways and byways. While the state has outlawed texting and cell phone use in the state, it is up to drivers to remain vigilant against deer and weather conditions that make driving dangerous. Though the number of fatalities has decreased in Ohio car accidents since 2006, the latest Traffic Crash Facts released by the Ohio Department of Public Safety are still alarming.
According to the Facts booklet, in 2011, there were nearly 300,000 accidents in Ohio involving more than 472,000 passenger vehicles. In those crashes 106,117 people were injured and more than 1,000 people died. As bad as those numbers are, they actually make 2011 Ohio’s safest year on record. (https://www.publicsafety.ohio.gov/links/2011CrashFacts.pdf)
To break these numbers down into easily digestible fact-bites, these statistics show that –
- 2 fatal crashes occur every day in the state, killing about 3 people daily or 1 person every 8.6 hours
- Every day, about 291 people are injured in car accidents, or 1 person every 5 minutes
- 36 children died in these car accidents, and 8,271 more were injured
Ohio Car Accident Statistics May Increase with New Speed Limit
Gov. John Kasich signed bill increasing Ohio interstate speed limit to 70 mph signed into law April 1, set to start July 1. Some feel the increased speed limit sets the stage for more accidents. In fact, in April of 2011, Ohio increased the speed limit on the turnpike to 70 mph and according to the Plain Dealer, “The number of crashes during the first year of the 70 mph speed limit totaled 2,539,” equaling a “5.6 percent rise from the year before.” In 2004, the speed limit for trucks on the Ohio turnpike increased from 55 to 65 mph. A two year study found that after the bump up in the speed limit, a significant increase in truck accidents not related to weather was seen. (https://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/04/traffic_on_the_ohio_turnpike_a.html)
If you’ve been injured in a car accident on one of Ohio’s highways, our personal injury lawyers will be with you every step of the way to make sure you are fairly and fully compensated for your injuries. To learn more about all of the ways The Cochran Firm can help you and your family get your lives back on track after an Ohio car accident, please contact us for a free, no obligation legal evaluation of your case today.
About The Cochran Firm – Ohio
The Cochran Firm – Ohio is an experienced full service, personal injury law firm with offices in Cincinnati and Dayton and handles personal injury cases throughout all of Ohio. Founded over 40 years ago by famed attorney, Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., The Cochran Firm – Ohio, has established itself as one of the premier personal injury law firms in the United States and has been recognized for delivering successful results to their clients across a broad range of claims stemming from car / auto accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, premises liability, and product liability lawsuits. For over 40 years, The Cochran Firm – Ohio’s team of experienced lawyers continually fight for justice for all its clients. If you’ve been injured call Ohio’s experienced full service law firm “The Cochran Firm – Ohio” today at 513-381-HURT.