In 2012, there were over 10,600 road-related deaths in the US for every 100,000 of the population. This meant that there were 33,561 deaths in total and 2.36 million injuries linked to the road. In fact, it’s said that there is a road accident every 14 seconds on average in the US. The most common reasons for road crashes include alcohol, (driving under the influence), speeding and using cell phones while driving.
Reasons for Accidents and Fatalities
While many people are injured or killed as a result of their own actions, many people die or are injured on the road due to no fault of their own. If you are the victim of an accident due to someone else being reckless and not taking enough care and attention while driving you maybe be able to make a claim against them to get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you have sustained. Personal Injury lawyers like us here at Blake & Dorsten P.A from Florida and Thomson Snell and Passmore from Kent in the UK specialise in automobile accidents and can both help you if you need to make personal injury claims.
There are many steps that you can take in order to stay as safe as possible while out on the highway however. These include driving at a sensible speed and paying respect to signs, not driving when you’re tired and using caution whenever necessary. Distractions such as cell phones are often the cause of road-related deaths and injuries, so you should give your full attention to the road.
Safety Advice
It’s also advisable to take a break when you need to. Driving can be tiring and our ability to control a car can be compromised greatly if we don’t take regular breaks. If you are driving with a passenger who is legally permitted to get behind your wheel, think about swapping roles every now and again. Don’t have a few drinks before getting behind the wheel and make sure that your vehicle is well maintained. Use your lights effectively and if you do need to stop due to a suspected fault with your car, make sure your vehicle is as far away from the traffic as possible.
When Not to Drive
Find out what the state of play is regarding traffic and weather before you embark on a long drive. Many deaths have occurred after people started journeys against advice from the authorities. The amount of alcohol-related road deaths has decreased significantly over the decades, falling by 26% per 100,000 people across the United States between 1991 and 2006. However, the National Safety Council recently found that one-in-four road accidents in the US could now be linked to cell phone use. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said that speeding can be linked to around a third of fatal crashes.
Contact Legal Professionals
Nonetheless, if you have been the victim of a car accident that wasn’t your fault, help is at hand. Personal injury lawyers can help you to bring the perpetrators to justice. You may be able to make a claim against a driver if they caused you to be injured via neglect and recklessness. When you’re looking for lawyers, you should shop around until you feel you have found someone with a proven track record who you can trust. Anyone who has been involved in car accidents that weren’t their fault can contact a lawyer for help. If you are looking for legal help or guidance please contact us here and we may be able to help you.