Car accidents occur every day, and many people have been involved in more than one car accident in their lifetime. While some car accidents are quite minor and result in little more than a few scrapes and bruises, others are much more serious and result in the critical injury, hospitalization, disability and even the death of the victim. Here are 5 staggering truths about car accidents, and what to do if you or a loved one were involved in a motor vehicle accident of any kind.
1. People Still Text and Drive
Despite nearly nationwide bans on texting and driving, people still do it. Additionally, today's smartphones allow much more than just "texting." Drivers are found to be surfing the Internet, playing music videos, and checking their Facebook, all while operating a motor vehicle. Even though texting and driving is illegal, it is still a major cause of car crashes. Many personal injury cases have been won when the negligence and carelessness of texting and driving caused a serious accident.
2. A Seat Belt Really Can Save Your Life
While some people may believe that a seat belt will only keep you trapped in a car while it burns after a crash, seat belts were, in fact, designed to save lives and they still do. Research suggests that wearing a seat belt can decrease your risk of death in a car accident by a whopping 45%, while the risk of moderate to serious injuries are decreased by as much as 50%. Simply put, wearing a seat belt can keep you alive in a crash.
3. DUI's Are a Real Problem
Drinking and driving causes approximately 7% of all traffic accidents, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Choosing to drink and drive is both careless and negligent, and individuals whose intoxication resulted in a collision may be held legally responsible for their actions.
4. Car Accidents Kill Every 12 Minutes
Car accidents are still one of the leading causes of death in the nation, with an average of one collision related death reported every 12 minutes. This means that approximately 117 people are killed every day in an accident. While some accidents couldn't have been prevented, others were due to the negligence of another person or company and could have easily been prevented. Pursuing a personal injury claim against someone whose actions resulted in a car accident may result in obtaining compensation for the damages that occurred.
5. Car Accidents Cost
The sheer cost of a car accident is astronomical, and many families simply aren't prepared for these types of expenses. In 2012, the estimated average cost for auto damage after a collision was just over $3,000, while the average bodily injury claim totaled $14,653. This means that as a whole, the average car accident costs a little less than $20,000. Ouch!
What to Do If You're Involved in a Motor Vehicle Collision
Being involved in a car accident is an extremely frightening and upsetting experience, especially if you or a loved one were critically injured in the crash. Contacting an auto accident attorney with experience working with the victims of car crashes and their families can help you determine what legal options are available to you. Bringing forward a personal injury claim may provide you the compensation you need to cover vehicle damage, medical expenses, and the emotional anguish and suffering that you've endured as a result of the accident. Speak with a skilled auto accident lawyer as soon as possible regarding your case in order to strategize your next move and plan for the best possible outcome in your case.
Share20 January 2015
Too many single people assume they don't need to plan their estate. My brother fell into this category, and his unexpected passing left our entire family struggling to deal with his home, belongings, and financial accounts. It took nearly three years for the courts to set up a deal because he left no paperwork detailing how he wanted his estate divided. The situation immediately convinced me to work on my own estate, even though I'm still in my early 30's and don't have children or a spouse to worry about. Since it's a little harder to pick beneficiaries and estate managers when you're single, I collected the resources I used for making my own decisions and decided to publish them here on my blog. Use these resources before talking to an estate planning attorney so you're prepared for making hard decisions.