It is a nightmare, and for many, one of the worst: a sudden devastating injury brought on by the negligence of others with you not in the least at fault. Although these injuries are possible in many areas of life, one area that seems to receive the most attention is a vehicle accident.
A couple of statistics:
- In 2013, 21,000 individuals lost their lives in a traffic accident.
- In that same year, 2 million passenger vehicle occupants were injured.
When to retain the counsel of a personal injury lawyer and to file a civil suit are personal choices and often involve a great deal of thought and consideration. But when considering the decision to hire an attorney–whether that is a truck accident attorney or a wrongful death lawyer–consider these three categories of vehicle accidents for statistics to guide your decision.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving has been a consistent concern among local governments for a number of years. With the proliferation of technology and handheld technological devices, more and more drivers are using technology while driving–and taking their attention away from the road.
Each daylight moment in America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cellphones or other technological devices while driving. Even with the understanding that this behavior increases the risk of traffic accidents, the statistics speak for themselves: Those who engage in this behavior are three times more likely to get in traffic accidents.
If you feel you have been a victim within an accident caused by this behavior, consider seeking the counsel of a car accident attorney or a truck accident attorney. Attorneys can help with deciding if you have a case that will stand in court or the appropriate next steps.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving has long been an issue within our society, as evidenced by the formation of numerous organizations, including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, to prevent this behavior. Still, it is prevalent:
- Every two minutes, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
- In 2002, 41% of traffic-related deaths were considered DUI-related fatalities.
- The average drunk driver has driven 80 times before his or her first arrest.
Although in this case there is criminal prosecution, it is still possible to file a suit for a car accident settlement or even wrongful death settlements.
Fatigued Driving
Fatigued driving is another issue that has gained attention in recent years, through both the news and car operating safety advertisements. Harvard Medical School believes that the majority of adults require 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep every night, but it seems Americans may not be getting that much: One recent estimate puts the number of crashes in which fatigue was a factor at over 100,000, causing 1,500 deaths.
Research suggests that large trucks and buses are affected significantly, with 1 in 5 traffic accidents involving these vehicles involving fatigue. In these cases, a truck accident attorney can help you through the process in analyzing your claim and figuring out where to proceed.
