What the July 2026 NHTSA Report Reveals About 2025 Traffic Fatalities
No one expects a routine drive to end in tragedy. Yet every year, thousands of people lose their lives in tragic car crashes across the United States. While the July 2026 data update for 2025 traffic fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers encouraging news, it also serves as a reminder that negligent driving continues to have devastating consequences.
NHTSA estimates that 36,640 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2025, a 6.7 percent decrease from the 39,254 fatalities reported in 2024. The estimated fatality rate also dropped from 1.19 to 1.10 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Top 5 Things Families Need to Know About Wrongful Death Claims for Bicycle Accidents
Bellingham, Washington has been encouraging residents to ride their bikes in the city with additional bike lanes, including on major arterial road, Holly Street. While protected bike lanes decrease bicycle accidents by about 75%, not all cities have embraced them. About 45,000 people die in motor vehicle accidents every year in the U.S. and about 2% of those deaths are bicyclists. Data from iihs.org shows that 1,084 bicyclists were killed in bicycle accidents with motor vehicles in 2022, the highest number ever recorded. Bicyclist deaths have increased eight percent since 1975, though bicycle death rates among children dropped dramatically in that period.
How Families Can Benefit from Filing a Wrongful Death Claim
Losing a loved one is an unimaginable tragedy, especially when the death is caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional actions. During such a difficult time, the idea of filing a wrongful death claim may seem overwhelming or even insensitive. However, a wrongful death settlement can provide significant benefits for the grieving family, offering not only financial support but also a sense of justice and closure.