Non-traffic crashes are an umbrella term used to describe crashes or incidents that occur off of a public trafficway — not to be confused with non-crash incidents, which are those involving motor vehicles but not resulting from a crash (such as carbon monoxide poisoning).
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) defines these as, “those occurring on private property, deliberate acts, medical episodes such as heart attacks, legal interventions, suicides, industrial crashes, drownings, boat crashes, incidents, and others.” While the state Department of Public Safety maintains these records in its database, they are excluded from the general data reports. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks these crashes annually.
How Common Are Non-Traffic Crashes?
According to an NHTSA report spanning from 2016 to 2020, an average of 2,449 non-traffic fatal crashes occurred nationwide. Over a third of those killed were non-occupants of vehicles, such as pedestrians or bicycle riders. However, nearly 87,000 people were injured in these incidents.
Among these crashes, most fatalities resulted from forward or backward-moving vehicles, and an overwhelming majority were single-vehicle crashes (about 95% on average).
What Causes Non-Traffic Crashes?
Non-traffic crashes can result from various factors, but some of the most common include driver inexperience or distraction, alcohol or drug use, vehicle malfunction, and environmental conditions. Many times, these incidents occur due to drivers’ ignorance or disregard for safety laws and regulations.
It is also important to note that since these crashes occur in a variety of settings, many times the environmental conditions are not ideal for driving. Low visibility or wet surfaces can easily contribute to a non-traffic crash if drivers do not take the necessary precautions.
Oklahoma Personal Injury Attorneys
Just because your accident occurred off of a public highway does not mean that you aren't entitled to financial compensation if someone caused you injury. At Martin Jean & Jackson, our experienced Oklahoma injury attorneys understand the complexities of all kinds of crashes. We will help you receive justice for your injuries and losses due to someone else's negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling or filling out this short form.
