The number of Virginia vehicle crashes has risen from 2013 to 2015. In 2015 there were 753 fatalities due to vehicle crashes. Roughly 63 percent of all fatalities in 2015 occurred in single vehicle crashes, with most of these crashes involving a vehicle leaving the roadway. As we have pointed out in recent posts, a large proportion of these crashes occur on rural roadways.
Of all fatalities from vehicle crashes in Virginia in 2015:
- 474 were single vehicle crashes
- 70 involved a large truck
- 104 involved speeding
- 194 involved a vehicle rollover
- 491 involved a roadway departure
- 170 involved an intersection.
After a marked decline in the number of crash fatalities in many Virginia counties during 2011 – 2013, the number of fatalities has increased in 2014 and 2015. This is an alarming trend, particularly when the statistics show a 100 percent increase in fatalities from one year to the next.
The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) ranks the 10 counties in Virginia for fatal crashes. Those counties are:
- Fairfax County
- Chesterfield County
- Fauquier County
- Pittsylvania County
- Henrico County
- Chesapeake City
- Henry County
- Virginia Beach City
- Albemarle County
- Hanover County
These counties and cities were the location of 194 fatal crashes. All other Virginia counties combined had 559 fatal crashes.
When we look at the fatality rates, the list of the top 10 counties for fatal crashes is somewhat different. In 2015, the median fatality rate for all U.S. Counties was 17.23. Virginia’s top 10 counties in terms of fatality rate (fatalities per 100,000 population) in 2015 are:
- Charlotte County 37
- Clarke County 74
- Wythe County 08
- Nelson County 35
- Charles City County 61
- King and Queen County 41.91
- Goochland County 44
- New Kent County 23
- Craig County 38
- Brunswick County 93
What makes the roadways in these counties so dangerous? Speed, distraction, sameness of landscape, soft or no shoulders, drinking, and road hazards are factors in many fatal crashes.
Please remain alert and attentive when driving in any of these Virginia counties. In addition, we suggest that the following steps may help you remain alert and attentive:
- If you feel that you are becoming sleepy or dazed by monotony, stop frequently and walk around your vehicle.
- Limit possible distractions by turning off your mobile phone or other devices.
- Don’t drink and drive.
- Keep your speed within the posted limit.
- Remain alert for animals or hazards in the roads.
- Focus on your driving.
We hope you never need an attorney to represent you in the event of a crash or a loved one’s death due to a crash. Should you need us, be assured that we are here with compassion and competence to seek justice and appropriate compensation for your loss, if the crash was not your fault.
