In 2014, 29,989 fatal motor vehicle crashes occurred in the United States, which resulted in 32,675 deaths. This means that there were 10.2 deaths per 100,000 people and 1.08 deaths per 100 vehicle miles traveled. The highest number of fatal crashes occurred in California with 2,833 fatal crashes that year. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), nearly 19,000 people were killed due to motor vehicle accidents between January and June, 2015, which accounts for a 14% increase over the same period in 2014. Nearly 2.25 million serious injuries that required hospital visits occurred during this 6-month period, which was a 30% increase when compared to the same period in 2014.
Causes of Road Accidents Road accidents are caused by common mistakes in most cases. These mistakes which can result in an accident are:
Speeding – This is an obvious one and yet it is in our nature to rush. Combine this with the hectic day to day lives that people live, rushing will lead to speeding which may result in an accident that has devastating consequences. Car accidents can cause injuries ranging from mild whiplash to severe spinal and brain injuries which can result in paralysis.
Drinking and Driving – This is another obvious and common cause of motor vehicle accidents. Drinking and driving can result in serious repercussions. Alcohol can diminish judgment and reaction time, increasing the chances of getting involved in a car accident which can be fatal to you or another person. If you are caught, you will have a criminal record and your license can be revoked. Drinking while under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence and can result in jail time and fines as well.
Distractions – Failing to look properly due to distractions such as texting or making a phone call while driving is another common cause of road accidents. It is important to make sure that you are alert at all times while you are behind the wheel. Make sure that you scan the road properly at junctions and keep an eye out for other vehicles as well as pedestrians.
Failing to Judge Another Driver’s Speed or Path – You should make sure that you are able to properly judge distance, speed and path of other drivers while you are on the road. If you have bad eyesight, you should get your eyes tested and wear spectacles if necessary. Inexperience may also lower your ability to judge speed and path. Lastly, careless or negligent driving could play a part in not judging another vehicle’s path and speed, causing you to potentially lose control of your car and cause an accident.
Inexperience – Last but not least, inexperienced driving can be a major contributor of motor vehicle accidents. If you are not an experienced driver, you should make sure that you get plenty of supervised driving practice with an experienced driver. This will build your skill and confidence on the road and you will be able to make proper judgment behind the wheel and avoid getting into a car accident.
A Law Firm that Delivers
If you or a loved one is in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you should seek the help of the skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff,& Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. We work hard for our clients. Give us a call, let us show you what we can do for you. We know how to win cases. We know how to deal with insurance companies and other lawyers and the court system. We know which tactics will work and when they will not work. RMFW Law has been around the block before. We have won serious money for past clients, you too can be on this special list.
