The invention of the automobile revolutionized transportation, forever changing how people traveled. Unfortunately, accidents were inevitable as these early vehicles shared the roads with pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages. Let’s delve into some of the earliest documented dangers of car accidents, from steam-powered vehicles to the first recorded gasoline-fueled crashes.
Early Automobile Incidents
Collisions became a concern as soon as automobiles started navigating roads alongside pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages. One of the earliest documented car crash fatalities involved Mary Ward, a distinguished Anglo-Irish scientist and astronomer known for her contributions to microscopy.
Documented Car Accidents in the US
The claim to the first (1st) recorded car accident in the United States is debated. According to some sources, it occurred in 1891 in Ohio City, Ohio. The culprit? A Buckeye gasoline buggy, one of the first American gas-powered vehicles. Designed by John William Lambert, the car struck a tree root, veered off course, and collided with a hitching post. Thankfully, this incident resulted in no serious injuries.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), however, points to a different event. Their records indicate the first documented crash in the US happened in New York City in 1896, involving a motor vehicle colliding with a cyclist.
The Story of Mary Ward
Tragedy struck on August 31, 1869, when Ward, a passenger in a steam-powered car built by her cousins in Parsonstown, Ireland, was involved in a fatal accident. During the ride, the car hit a bump, ejecting Ward from her seat. She fell under the car’s wheels and sustained severe injuries. Despite medical efforts, Ward passed away at the scene, becoming the first known victim of a car accident.
News of her death spread rapidly, shocking the public and raising concerns about the safety of these new machines. Ward’s untimely demise served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with automobiles and foreshadowed the challenges to come as the automobile industry took its first steps.
Henry Bliss and the New York City Collision
The unfortunate title of the first (1st) American automotive fatality goes to Henry Hale Bliss, a real estate dealer from New York City. On September 13, 1899, Bliss exited a streetcar at the intersection of West 74th Street and Central Park West. As he stepped onto the street, an electric-powered taxicab struck him, knocking him to the ground. The impact fractured Bliss’s skull and leg. He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Bliss’s death marked a grim milestone in American car accident history, becoming the first recorded pedestrian fatality caused by an automobile. This incident garnered significant media attention and public discussion, highlighting the need for safety measures and regulations in a time when automobiles were becoming increasingly common on city streets.
Early Automobile Regulations
The growing prevalence of automobiles on American roads necessitated the development of traffic laws and safety regulations. Governments around the world began implementing measures to create a safer environment for drivers and pedestrians. These included the introduction of traffic signals, stop signs, lane markings, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registration systems. Additionally, many areas imposed speed limits to reduce the risk of accidents. As the automobile industry continued to evolve, so did the laws and regulations surrounding it.
A Look at the Numbers
The rise in car ownership sadly coincided with a rise in traffic fatalities in the United States. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of motor-vehicle deaths in the US from 1913 to 2022 increased by a staggering 996%, from 4,200 deaths to a shocking 46,027 fatalities over those 109 years.
The Lasting Impact of Car Crashes
Despite continuous efforts to reduce preventable car accidents, they remain a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. In the United States alone, millions of people are injured in car crashes each year, with thousands losing their lives. The economic burden of these accidents is substantial, with costs related to medical bills, lost productivity, and property damage reaching billions of dollars annually.
Perhaps the most devastating impact is the human cost. Families are left without loved ones, enduring the loss of their care, love, and guidance.
Injured in Your First Car Accident in San Antonio?
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We understand the physical, emotional, and financial stress a car accident can cause. Let us fight for you to get the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing. Our experienced San Antonio car accident lawyers will manage your case from start to finish.
