Posted by: Kemmy Law Firm
Statistics are more than numbers. They paint a picture. While we see scattered events, statistics can show how common those events are, which keeps us informed. Statistics can also tell us if a problem is getting better or worse over time.
Unfortunately, the number of fatal vehicle crashes in Odessa is increasing. Behind these statistics are people whose lives were cut short and the families that mourn their loss.
The website City-Data has many statistics about fatal vehicle crashes in Odessa. They clearly show more people are dying in area car accidents over time.
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of fatal accidents | 23 | 17 | 17 | 11 |
| Number of fatalities | 26 | 20 | 21 | 11 |
| Number of vehicles involved | 47 | 33 | 32 | 16 |
| Fatal accidents involving intoxicated drivers | 12 | 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Number of people involved in fatal accidents | 58 | 44 | 52 | 19 |
| Number of pedestrians involved in fatal accidents | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Between 2016 and 2019, the following increased:
For 2019 accidents, most happened when it was dark outside but in lit areas (56.5%), with nearly a third (30.4%) occurring in daylight. Weather conditions were clear almost all of the time (95.7%).
Fatal accidents are often caused by distracted and intoxicated drivers, speeding, and misjudging what other drivers may do in a situation.
If Odessa-Midland is like the rest of the country, the 2020 figures will be worse. The National Safety Council reports that for the first time in 14 years, as many as 42,060 people were killed nationwide in motor vehicle accidents last year. That’s 8% more than 2019 in a year when we drove much less due to the pandemic. And reports across the Permian Basin show a similar trend. This includes Pecos, Andrews, Seminole, Monahans, Jal, and Loving, NM.
The preliminary, estimated death rate in accidents for 2020 jumped 24% over the prior 12-month period, despite the number of miles driven declining by 13%.
Michael Hanson, director of Minnesota’s Office of Traffic Safety, told NPR traffic volume was down, but the number of accident deaths increased because drivers were more reckless. Law enforcement stayed about the same, but speeds increased as more room opened up on the country’s roads. Many people sought stress relief by driving aggressively while intoxicated and impaired drivers took a toll too.
Texas law allows your family to bring a claim for compensation if the other party’s wrongful act caused a loved one’s death in a vehicle accident, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or failure to act. A wrongful death claim would have a valid basis if your family member could’ve filed a personal injury claim if they survived the accident.
This type of legal action is to benefit the surviving spouse, children, and parents only. With some exceptions, the time limit to file a wrongful death lawsuit is two years.
But you shouldn’t wait nearly that long to contact our office because we need to know many facts before making a claim. We may not know who all the responsible parties are, what they did, and why they’re to blame until we complete an in-depth investigation.
We will gather the available evidence, including the police reports, photos, video footage, and witness statements. We will also look into the backgrounds of the people and businesses involved.
Your family is not only suffering emotionally from your loss but financially too. You may be able to file a legal claim against the other driver. The Kemmy Law Firm is a family-owned personal injury law firm in Odessa-Midland and can help you through the insurance claim process or litigation. It won’t bring your family member back, but it can give you the financial help you need to move forward.
Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with the Kemmy Law Firm by calling (432) 400-0000 or use our online form.
Get a free consultation. We do not charge up-front fees, and you owe nothing unless you recover compensation.
When you work with us at Kemmy Law Firm, you are working with a family run firm with more than 50 years of combined experience. We are dedicated and successful trial attorneys practicing in West TX, Hobbs, NM, Midland-Odessa, and across the Permian Basin. Our team handles everything from catastrophic injury claims to complex business matters. We are here to fight for you. We dedicate our time and attention to your case and use every resource available to maximize your claim and obtain the best possible outcome.
