NSC Estimates 515 Motor Vehicle Fatalities for 2021 Thanksgiving Day Holiday Period
This year, many families are looking forward to a family thanksgiving meal after staying home last year. The majority will travel by car because of the short distance they need to go but we should all be aware that driving has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation when we look at fatalities per passenger mile. Whenever there are more cars on the road combined with holiday drinking, car accidents and motor vehicle fatalities increase.
This Thanksgiving Day period*, The National Safety Council (NSC) estimates that 515 people may die on U.S. roads. If the estimate is accurate that would make Thanksgiving 2021 the deadliest year since 2007. In addition, the organization estimates that 58,800 people will seek medical care for injuries they sustain in crashes over the holiday weekend.
If you or a loved one is injured in a Thanksgiving Day accident because of the reckless or negligent behavior of another driver, you are entitled to a car accident settlement that covers your medical bills, property damage, disability, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If a fatality occurs, funeral expenses, loss of services and other damages may also be recovered.
*Thanksgiving Day is observed on the fourth Thursday in November, which means this holiday is always a 4.25-day weekend starting Wednesday evening and running through Sunday night. In 2021 the Thanksgiving Day weekend will extend from 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 24 to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 28.
How does the NSC calculate the risks of motor vehicle fatalities over the Thanksgiving holiday?
In order to get the most accurate estimate possible, NSC compares the holiday fatality data from FARS to other periods of similar length during the weeks immediately before and after the holiday period.
How does Covid-19 affect the estimate?
While an estimated number is never going to be 100 percent accurate, there is a 90 percent confidence interval for the estimate of traffic deaths this holiday period. Note that the confidence intervals for both this year and last year are wider than they were pre-pandemic. While the estimated deaths are 515, this number falls within an estimated range of 445 to 589. The estimated injuries that will result in medical attention are 58,800, with a 90% confidence interval of 50,800 to 67,200.
Analysts recognize that the confidence interval cannot factor in changes to behavior because of the pandemic. Will there be less cars on the road this year compared to pre-pandemic Thanksgiving celebrations? Maybe yes, maybe no.
Factors that increase deaths over the Thanksgiving holiday
Failure to wear a seat belt:
The NSC estimates that 204 lives could be saved this Thanksgiving holiday period because drivers and passengers wear their seat belts. An additional 120 lives could be saved if everyone wears their seat belts.
Impaired driving:
During the Thanksgiving Day period of 2019, 29 percent of car accident-related fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
