According to the National Safety Council, authorities in Pennsylvania and throughout the country may not be collecting enough crash data. The council found that not a single state has any system to record driver fatigue after a crash occurs. It also discovered that not all states keep track of whether a driver was texting or using a hands-free device when a wreck happens.
The NSC recommends that authorities compile 23 different types of information when gathering data about a motor vehicle accident. According to the NSC, states should collect data about alcohol impairment even if a driver is under the legal limit of .08%. In states where marijuana is legal, it may still be a good idea to record whether a driver was under its influence when a collision took place.
If the NSC had its way, there would be a shift toward electronic data collection. Furthermore, the council recommends that more emphasis be placed on determining the role of advanced features on an accident. This type of information may be accessed through a data recorder in the vehicle itself. According to the NSC, there were more than 40,000 roadway deaths in the United States every year between 2016 and 2018.
Those who speed, use drugs or drink alcohol prior to driving may be at a higher risk of causing a serious accident. A reckless driver could be held liable for the damages that an accident victim incurred, such as the cost of medical treatment or lost future earnings. An injured victim may want to hire a personal injury attorney to help with their case.