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Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States. An early estimate for 2022 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that 42,795 people died in motor vehicle traffic accidents nationwide. Fatal car accidents can happen when a family least expects it and cause immense emotional turmoil. Review the latest available statistics and preliminary data for deadly collisions in Colorado in 2022 to learn more.
Data shows that in 2022, an estimated 757 people died in fatal car accidents in Colorado. This is a 9.6 percent increase from the fatality rate in 2021 (691 deaths). The death rate per 100 motor vehicle miles traveled was 1.44, up from 1.31 in 2021. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 2022’s traffic accident death toll represents a startling 57 percent increase from 10 years ago. It is also the highest death toll in the state since 1981. The counties with the highest numbers of deaths in Colorado in 2022 were:
The Chief Engineer for the Colorado Department of Transportation has stated that the increase in fatal car accidents cannot be attributed to Colorado’s population growth. He says that after falling for 30 years, the rate of deadly car accidents has steadily risen in the last decade. He also points out that deadly car accidents are not the only problem; for every death, there are at least five serious injuries caused by car accidents in Colorado.
Preliminary crash data for 2022 states that of the people in Colorado killed in fatal car accidents, more than one-third (36 percent) were outside of the motor vehicle. This means they were vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. These road users are at a greater risk of serious and fatal injuries when hit by motor vehicles. The numbers of motorcycle and pedestrian deaths were both the highest on record for Colorado since 1975.
While the number of car accident deaths increased in Colorado, it decreased nationwide from 2021 to 2022. The United States saw a decrease in traffic fatalities of about 0.3 percent – from 42,939 deaths down to 42,795. The fourth quarter of 2022 represented the third quarterly decrease in fatalities in a row after seven consecutive quarters of increases. The states with the highest number of car accident deaths in 2022 were Texas (4,496), California (4,407) and Florida (3,652).
Tracking the most common causes of fatal car accidents in Colorado can help you avoid becoming a victim. While it is not always possible to prevent deadly accidents, knowing what causes them can help you better protect yourself and others. You may be able to spot a risk factor, such as a driver behaving erratically. According to data from 2022, the following were behind most fatal car accidents:
Statewide statistics showed a 6 percent increase in impaired driving deaths from 2021, for a total of 278 deaths in 2022. Since 2019, the number of traffic deaths caused by impaired drivers has increased by almost 60 percent. A combination of multiple drugs or drugs and alcohol is a significant problem; this was found in 25 percent of the impaired drivers involved in fatal car accidents. The counties with the highest number of alcohol-related deaths were Adams (35), El Paso (21) and Denver (21).
Colorado’s fatal car accident data for 2022 shows a concerning upward trend in the number of deadly car crashes in the state in recent years. If you have recently lost a loved one in a devastating fatal car accident in Denver, Colorado, please contact Dormer Harpring, LLP to request a free case consultation. Our attorneys provide compassionate legal counsel to grieving families. You may be eligible for financial compensation.