The combined overall motor vehicle crash death rate for the 50 most populous metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) in the United States was lower than the overall national rate. Although 54% of the population lives in MSAs, only 40% of all motor vehicle deaths occur in metropolitan areas, according an article published this week in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
These crash death rate statistics are consistent with my experience as an accident attorney; however, we are seeing more fatal bicycle accidents in the Twin Cities metropolitan area than in outstate Minnesota. We settled a bicycle wrongful death case yesterday where a woman riding her bicycle was hit by a semi truck in Dinkytown (Minneapolis near the University of Minnesota).
Distracted Driving and Alcohol Factors in Fatal Accidents in Minneapolis-St. Paul Metro Area
In 2009 (the statistical year discussed in the July, 2012 article), there were 206 motor vehicle crash deaths in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area (6.3% crash death rate—6.3 per 100,000 residents), 28 of which occurred in Minneapolis (7.3% crash death rate) and 40 of which were between the ages of 15 to 24 (9.2% crash death rate). These death rates are under the national average (11.1%), but more can be done to prevent these fatal accidents in Minnesota.
Well-known accident risk factors for teens and young adults are inexperience, lack of seat belt use, driving with teen passengers, cell phone use (particularly texting), and alcohol-impaired driving. For adults, distracted driving and alcohol are the two primary risk factors.
Attorneys Eric Hageman and Fred Pritzker have won millions for accident victims and their families. They were selected as Minnesota “Attorneys of the Year” for winning a multimillion dollar verdict for a family in a semi truck vs. bike wrongful death accident.
