Motor Vehicle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicular accidents are the leading cause of death in the United States for people under age 33. Each year thousands of Americans lose their lives in traffic accidents. The physical, emotional, and financial costs of these accidents are enormous. The NHTSA estimates that highway collisions cost the nation approximately $230 billion a year.
This economic toll, however, does not even begin to describe the physical and emotional cost to someone seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident or to the family that loses a loved one in a fatal crash.
Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
There are many reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur. The most common causes of motor vehicle accidents include:
- Speeding: Speeding not only increases the risk of a motor vehicle accident but has the tendency to make the crash more severe.
- Distracted Drivers: Between 20-50% of all motor vehicle crashes in the U.S. are caused by driver distraction. Some examples of distractions include, talking on the cell phone, looking at scenery, other passengers, adjusting the radio or CD player, reading, etc.
- Reckless and aggressive drivers: Tailgating, failure to yield, disregarding traffic signals and signs, changing lanes in an unsafe manner are all signs of a reckless driver.
- Driver Fatigue: Tired or drowsy drivers account for a large majority of motor vehicle accidents. The risk is greatest between 11pm to 8am.
- Drunk Drivers: A serious personal injury or wrongful death resulting from a negligent motor vehicle accident is all the more devastating when the reckless or careless actions of the driver are compounded by the irresponsible consumption of alcohol. Hundreds of people die each year in drunk driving accidents, leaving families devastated and struggling to cope.
- Weather: Snow, hail, ice, rain, and high winds can make driving a motor vehicle more difficult.
- Unsafe road conditions: Freeway or highway defects, pot holes and other hazardous road conditions can contribute to motor vehicle accidents.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents
There are several types of motor vehicle accidents but the most common include:
- Car Accident
- Truck Accident (Tractor Trailer)
- School Bus Accident
- Motorcycle Accident
- All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Accident
- Subway or Trolley Accident
- Vehicle Rollover Accidents
- Train Accident
Injuries Sustained from Motor Vehicle Accidents
With so much time on the road, motor vehicle accidents seem inevitable. We pass fender-benders every day on our freeways and suburban streets. Although some crashes prove minor, many motor vehicle collisions result in serious injuries and even fatalities. Some common injuries that occur from motor vehicle accidents include:
- Brain Injury
- Head and neck injury
- Broken bones
- Head Injury
- Paralysis
- Quadriplegia
- Paraplegia
- Concussion
- Death
Filing a Lawsuit
Bodily injury resulting from a motor vehicle accident can have a devastating effect on a person’s life. Often, the injured victim faces difficult rehabilitation, costly medical treatment, and the possibility of a life-changing physical disability. If the motor vehicle accident was the fault of another driver, the victim or their family may have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party for damages.
Contact an Attorney
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If you are considering filing a lawsuit, it’s important to seek an experienced motor vehicle accident attorney who is familiar with your states laws to ensure the best possible outcome.
