Drivers in Illinois and throughout the country drove more miles in 2015 than they had in 2014. Some experts say that this has correlated to a jump in motor vehicle accident fatalities. A total of 35,092 people died last year in roadway accidents according to a recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This was a 7.2 percent increase over the number of traffic deaths in 2014. In response, the U.S. Transportation Secretary has issued a call to action asking researchers to help find a way to reverse the trend.

Traffic deaths have not increased since 2005. That year, a total of 42,708 people died in auto accidents. That figure is 25 percent higher than the number from 2015. Falling death rates prior to 2015 have been attributed to a drop in drunk driving and an increase in safety technology and seat belt usage.

Motorists and their passengers were not the only fatalities. Cyclists and pedestrians were at an increased risk as well, and deaths among motorcyclists increased by over 8 percent.

Serious injuries from auto accidents can be costly and may involve a long recovery period. Unfortunately, some insurance companies might offer little in terms of compensation. Depending on who is at fault in an accident, it may be possible to file a civil lawsuit. If a person is injured in an accident with a driver who was on the job at the time, the employer might also be liable. A civil case may be successful even if there were no criminal charges filed.