August 2 is the deadliest day for U.S. drivers

Florida drivers may be shocked to learn that the deadliest day for car crashes in the United States is August 2. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 505 people died on U.S. roadways on that date between 2012 and 2016.

Many people expect major drinking holidays like New Year’s Eve to cause the most highway fatalities. However, traffic safety experts say that warm weather and vacations make August a treacherous month for drivers. Since schools are out, more people are on the road during the summer months, which statistically increases the risk of getting into an accident. Sunny skies also inspire drivers to be a bit more reckless when driving, which can also lead to crashes. Overall, IIHS researchers found that 15,914 motorists were killed in August during their five-year study period. Meanwhile, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. reported that 60,976 of their customers got into crashes in August 2016. That figure represented the highest number of accidents recorded in any month during the previous four years.

In addition to August 2, the IIHS found that July 4, October 25, May 3 and November 1 were also deadly days for U.S. drivers. Data from Nationwide’s SmartRide customer tracking program found that certain behaviors can predict whether a driver is more likely to be involved in an accident. These behaviors include hard braking, rapid acceleration and idle time.

Car accidents injure and kill thousands of U.S. drivers every year, causing profound emotional and financial burdens. However, victims of motor vehicle crashes may be able to recover damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the party who caused the accident. An attorney could review a victim’s case and recommend the appropriate legal action.