Car Accident Statistics for Drivers to Be Aware Of

Car accidents are alarmingly common, and can vary widely in severity. Some car accidents may be so minor that medical treatment isn’t necessary and there’s no need to involve an attorney. Other accidents may be catastrophic and result in serious injuries or even death for one or more passengers. Whenever a serious injury or damage occurs in a car accident, it’s a good idea to talk to a car accident attorney about your options for physical and financial recovery. It is imperative to exercise extreme caution whenever you find yourself on the road; a moment of inattention from you or another vehicle could have life-changing consequences.

The following are some important car accident statistics to keep in mind:

• According to Driver Knowledge, approximately 6 million car accidents occur in the United States every year.
• More than 90 people die in car accidents every day.
• Approximately 3 million people are injured in car accidents every year, with 2 million experiencing permanent injuries.
• Alcohol is involved in 40% of the crashes which result in fatalities, followed by reckless driving and speeding.
• Every day more at least 9 people are killed by distracted driving.
• People who drive distracted (i.e. texting and driving), are 23 times more likely to crash.
• According to the CDC, road traffic crashes are the leading cause of death in the U.S. for people between the ages of 1 and 54.

It’s important to know what to do if you are involved in a car accident.

If you are involved in a car accident, take the following steps:

• Call the police. After any accident, it’s important to contact law enforcement to let them know what happened. Police can help safely direct traffic and will ensure an official record exists documenting the event. This also ensures that you have immediate access to emergency medical attention if need be.
• Seek medical attention. Seek medical attention for your injuries as soon as possible. Even if an injury feels minor at first, and become more painful days or even weeks later as the real damage begins to show through. Waiting to seek medical care can have a negative impact on both your help and your case if you choose to pursue legal recourse in the future.
• Collect evidence. It’s important to remember that although the police will collect evidence at the scene, they may miss something or prioritize different evidence. It’s important to take pictures of any vehicles involved in the accident as well as any damage to the surroundings. If there were any witnesses to the accident it’s a good idea to collect their contact information and record their testimonies if they agree to it. This information can be much harder to gather after the fact, and tends to disperse quickly. If you are unable to collect this evidence due to your injuries, a loved one or even an attorney may do so on your behalf.
• Talk to an attorney. It’s a good idea to talk to an attorney after finding yourself involved in a car accident. Car accident attorneys can help identify whether negligence was involved in the accident and can even coordinate with insurance providers on your behalf to make sure you receive the full value of your claim. These attorneys generally offer free consultations and work on contingency, which means you don’t pay unless they win your case. A car accident attorney can help assess whether or not you have a viable case, and they can help pursue compensation for damages including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

To learn more about car accident statistics or for help after a car accident, talk to a car accident attorney.