Preventable Car Accidents On The Rise

Car accidents are responsible for millions of deaths worldwide every year, and, unfortunately, that appears to be increasing by more than 10 percent every year. By far the most dangerous activity in the world, road traffic injuries are now also the leading cause of death for people between ages five and 29, and more than half involve cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians, and single-vehicle crashes.

In addition to the fatalities, many other victims of car accidents are left with devastating injuries and disabilities, and have to face exorbitant medical costs, a lost ability to work, pain, and suffering, property damage, and more, as we discuss below.

Accident Rate Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, the following groups are associated with the highest accident rates:

• Teens between the ages of 16 and 19
• Males (especially those between ages 20 and 24)
• Lower socioeconomic backgrounds

However, fatal car accidents are most frequently due to human error and irresponsible driving – meaning that most are preventable. According to the statistics, the leading causes of fatal car accidents involve:

• Driving under the influence
• Failing to wear a seatbelt
• Speeding
• Distracted and/or drowsy driving

Common Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries typically fall into two categories: Impact (injured individual hits something or is thrown from the car) and/or penetrating (when an object hits the injured individual, such as from the window shattering). Some of the common individual injuries include the following:

• Back injuries (nerve damage, paralysis, herniated, ruptured, and/or slipped discs)
• Broken bones
• Bruising
• Burns
• Concussions
• Damaged cartilage
• Internal bleeding
• Loss of limb(s)
• Mental and emotional injuries (anxiety, PTSD, depression, memory loss, etc.)
• Scrapes
• Torn ligaments
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash 

This is why it is critical that if you or a loved one has been in an accident, that you are examined right away, as some of these injuries – such as whiplash – may not be apparent immediately after the accident, especially if the injured individual is in shock.

Macon, Georgia Car Accident & Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you have lost a loved one due to an irresponsible driver on the road, you may have questions about bringing a wrongful death claim. In Georgia, there is a statute of limitations limiting how much time you have to bring a claim like this one, and it is usually two years from the decedent’s death. This same limit (two years) also applies to bringing a car accident claim.

At the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, our Macon car accident attorneys are prepared to provide you with the guidance you need to move forward. We are committed to ensuring that justice is done for you and your family. Contact us today to find out more.

Sources:

who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/road-traffic-injuries

nhtsa.gov/press-releases/early-estimate-2021-traffic-fatalities#:~:text=NHTSA%20projects%20that%20an%20estimated,Fatality%20Analysis%20Reporting%20System’s%20history

cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/index.html#:~:text=About%20seven%20teens%20aged%2013,motor%20vehicle%20crashes%20are%20preventable