Car Accidents In Omaha Increase As We Head Into 2021

As an injury attorney located in the heart of the Midwest here in Omaha, Nebraska, I am used to seeing all different types of car, truck and motorcycle accidents. There are many factors that affect the number of motor vehicle accidents – two of which are weather and the number of drivers on the road. Each holiday season, as the number of drivers on the road increases and we begin to see more inclement weather here in Nebraska, we also tend to see more car accidents. Unfortunately, this past holiday season and heading into 2021 has been no different here in Omaha. Roughly a month ago, an Omaha man suffered accident injuries to his head and chest from being struck by a snowplow, and since New Years Day, there have been multiple severe car crashes in the Omaha Metro Area, including an accident on 24th and Lake that has claimed the lives of two people.

Contrary to popular belief, it’s often the days with moderate snowfall that result in the most accidents and the most fatalities. In their article, How Climate Change Affects Traffic Accidents, authors Benjamin Leard and Kevin Roth cite to data indicating that while drivers on the road may be more inclined to stay home and/or tend to be more cautious during heavy snow or rain storms, there is a resulting 15 percent increase in fatalities when there is 1.5-3 cm of snowfall compared to a day without precipitation.

Hopefully, car accident fatalities will continue to decrease over the years with the advent of new automobile safety technology. But as we move further into 2021, maybe we can all make a difference as well by remembering to keep safety top of mind every time we get behind the wheel.