Car Accidents Are a Threat to Everyone

An auto accident happens in America every 14 seconds, of every single day, and hourly, more than 4 persons die from car accidents. Statistics reveal that over thirty-two percent of the vehicle accidents have a relationship to alcohol. Law enforcement fare little better, as statistics show they are getting mugged by the increase, as seen by their increased involvement  in a car accident. Sheriff’s Magazine (June 2010) wrote that the deaths of law enforcement officers increased by 80% in the last 28 years,  all due to car accidents  (the leading cause of death for law enforcement). For the year 2008, there were 34,017 car accidents that took the lives of 19,220 drivers and 7,397 passengers. A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by thousands of grieving spouses and children as a result of these fatal accidents. 

Causes of  Death in Car Accidents

Many of the deaths from car accidents occur due to a failure to wear a seatbelt. The statistics reveal that  over 60% of those who perish in an auto accident were not wearing a seat belt. For law enforcement as well,  not wearing a seatbelt is a serious factor. In 1996, statistics showed that nearly 40% of the police officers who died were not wearing a seat belt.

There are statistics showing a rise in auto accidents that are occasioned by a car driver’s use of a mobile phone. The numbers are not real solid yet, but there is credible evidence that a quarter of all vehicle accidents are related to a driver using a mobile phone while driving.

Economic Consequences of Car Crashes

All of these auto accidents have impacted society on many levels. The primary income producers is suddenly taken from the home, and households suddenly find themselves in bleak financial straits. Life-threatening injuries cause many to lose their jobs, thus rendering a catastrophic economic blow to a household. Total insolvency (as in bankruptcy) is the ultimate end for many individuals  involved in  car accidents. At times, insurance will not pay the mounting medical bills because of either a lack of auto insurance, or the driver carried a minimal amount of auto insurance that was inadequate to cover the bills. Careful estimates are made showing that over 230 billion dollars in damages occurs each year from auto accidents. This does not take into account loss of limbs, or cognitive ability and other physical loss, the loss of one’s ability to work, the loss of earning ability, nor the pain and suffering that individuals may have to suffer with for decades, and sometimes for life.

5 Steps a Auto Driver  Should Take 

Things are not going to get better. If one is to survive or at least improve the odds,  every owner of a an automobile should do the following:

• 1. Carry vehicle insurance  that is maximized,  not minimized.  Give serious thought to carrying “umbrella insurance,” which is a special kind of insurance that is activated  if your normal coverage is found to be less than adequate to meet the claims that are successfully made. Umbrella insurance is becoming more necessary as verdicts rise in car accident cases, and especially in accidental death (wrongful death) cases.
• 2. Do not drive and use a mobile phone, and never answer a cell phone while driving.grab your cell phone to respond to a call while answer the cell phone when operating your vehicle. 
• 3. Comprehend you are risking death or serious injury to yourself and others if you text and drive.
• 4. Practice defensive driving. Expect the unexpected.
• 5. If you’ve taken in alcohol, take yourself out of the driver’s seat. Even if all you have drank is a martini.

What to do if you have an automobile accident

If you have suffered injuries from being  in a car accident, one of the smartest things you can do  is to contact an attorney. Do that quickly. Do not give any statements to the insurance company until you’ve talked to your attorney Do not make foolish statements like: “I’m okay.”   That is a matter you really don’t know yet. Sometimes, pain does not come until long after the accident.   Seek medical attention immediately,  and get checked out.

Tell the doctor about the slightest of pains, and do not minimize the pain. Please do not  exaggerate it, but this is not the time to act like you’re a John Wayne clone. Be totally honest about your pains, no matter how minor they might be at the time.  And finally, keep a diary of your day to day activity, including symptoms. You will be compelled to explain to others, at some point, how you felt, the tasks you cannot do, that you once were able to do Keeping a record prevents your memory from losing important details.