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Wisconsin’s DOT Releases 2015 Accident Statistics
Each November, the Department of Transportation releases preliminary information on the state’s automobile accidents and fatalities. Sadly, it appears that there were more injuries and fatalities in 2015 than 2013 and 2014. This was also an increase in alcohol-related injuries and fatalities, which were both higher than the previous four years.
General 2015 Accident and Collision Statistics
According to preliminary results, there were 111,791 total accidents and collisions in 2015. Of those, 82,191 resulted in property damage and 29,036 resulted in injury. There were also 509 total fatalities. These death and injury rates are higher than both 2014, in which there 451 fatalities and 28,801 injuries, and 2013, in which there were 491 fatalities and 28,474 injuries. Overall fatality rate increased by .11 percent from the previous year (0.89 percent in 2014 compared to 1 percent in 2015).
Alcohol-Related Crashes
With a total of 5,491 crashes in 2015, drunk driving accidents were significantly higher in 2015 than in the previous four years (4,932 in 2014; 4,954 in 2013; 5,024 in 2012; and 5,297 in 2011).
A total of 218 fatalities and 3,171 injuries occurred because of drunk driving accidents in 2015. These, too, were higher than in previous years (162 fatalities and 2,694 injuries in 2014; 185 fatalities and 2,660 injuries in 2013; 2,907 injuries in 2012, and 2,984 injuries in 2011). However, the fatalities from drunk driving accidents in 2011 and 2012 were higher than in 2015 (225 and 223, respectively).
Speed-Related Crashes
In all, Wisconsin saw 18,389 speed-related accidents, which caused 7,828 injuries and 167 fatalities. Overall, there were fewer crashes than in the previous two years (20,887 in 2014 and 21,290 in 2013). However, more fatalities were attributed to speed-related crashes in 2015 (163 in 2014 and 156 in 2013).
Motorcycle Crashes
For motorcyclists, 2015 proved to be a more dangerous than the previous two years, with 2,376 total crashes, 91 fatalities, and 2,161 injuries. These rates are compared to 2,101 accidents, 67 fatalities, and 1,914 injuries in 2014, and 2,150 crashes, 83 fatalities, and 1,927 injuries in 2013.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Pedestrians were involved in more crashes in 2015 than in 2014 (1,244 versus 1,183). They also experienced more injuries (1,244 in 2015 compared to 1,119 in 2014) and fatalities (45 in 2015 compared to 42 in 2014) than in the previous year.
Bicycle accidents were also higher for 2015 than the year, with 1,055 accidents in 2015 (compared to 925 in 2014). Fatalities (10 versus 4) and injuries (976 versus 844) were also higher for 2015 when compared to 2014 bicycle accident rates.
Involved in an Accident? Seek Representation with a Skilled Accident Attorney
There are likely a number of factors have contributed to the overall increase in accidents during 2015, however, regular, everyday, working individuals are still in pain, receiving medical care, missing work, or no longer alive because of these accidents. If you or someone you love happened to be one of them, you may be entitled to compensation.
The skilled Milwaukee automobile accident attorneys at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, can help. Dedicated to serving the needs and best interest of automobile accident victims, they can ensure your rights are protected and will thoroughly investigate your situation to build a strong case. To find out more, call 414-271-1440 and schedule your consultation today.
Source:
http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/about-wisdot/room/statistics/final.aspx
