Traffic accidents are a global concern. Recent data shows that about 20 to 50 million people are injured or become permanently disabled as a result of these accidents. Furthermore, the Association For Safe International Road Travel reported that there are an average of 3,287 fatalities that occur every day. This amounts to almost 1.3 people dying every year due to road crashes. These types of accidents are currently considered to be the ninth leading cause of death throughout the world. By 2030, however, experts have estimated that traffic accidents have the potential to become the fifth leading cause of death in the world.
Within the United States, more than 37,000 people lose their lives in road crashes on an annual basis. In addition to these fatalities, another 2.35 million people within this country become injured or disabled as a result of being in a traffic accident. Due to being in a motor vehicle crash, many people sustain traumatic brain injuries. This makes motor vehicle crashes the third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries that require emergency room visits and hospitalizations, many of which also result in death.
Traffic accidents can be caused by one or more factors. This includes inclement weather, negligence, and other situations such as having an inexperienced driver behind the wheel. In 2015, for example, 3,477 fatalities occurred due to distracted drivers alone. Lane splitting, reckless driving, and speeding also account for a large number of accidents. Since many drivers have not received proper training, It is not unusual for an inexperienced driver to cause or be involved in an accident. This can also occur when people encounter unfamiliar or dangerous road conditions which they aren’t prepared or experienced enough to handle.
When someone has been injured or died as a result of being in a car accident, it’s important to contact an attorney with experience in personal injury law. If a driver was responsible, or partially responsible, for causing this accident, contacting an attorney is also a wise course of action. A personal injury attorney will review the evidence, interview bystanders, when available, and engage in other activities to provide counsel to their clients.
