Every time you step behind the wheel you’re undertaking a massive responsibility.
It’s a responsibility not just to yourself, but to other drivers and bystanders you pass on the open road. A safe driving experience can be as complex as taking your vehicle to the car repair shop for a check-up and as simple as double-checking your seatbelt before pulling out of the driveway. Younger drivers, in particular, have to put extra emphasis on safe behavior while not giving in to peer pressure. When even your best attempts at safety don’t prevent you from getting into a car accident? Knowing how to ask for help at a nearby law firm is another way of being responsible.
Learn more about the state of safe driving in the United States by reading below.
Car crashes can strike at any time. Even the safest drivers are at risk for a collision due to the high amount of irresponsible drivers, vehicle neglect and drunk driving on American roads. Ongoing studies have been conducted to determine the total economic impact of auto accidents on the American economy, with recent estimates suggesting this number is as high as $250 billion. Whether it’s equipment failure that has your car stalling at a critical moment or an encounter with a drunk driver that leaves you with a severe injury, your local law firm is your first resource on the way to a feasible conclusion.
Distracted driving is an insidious and deadly form of irresponsible driving. Every time you glimpse a driver attempting to talk on their cellphone or eat while behind the wheel you’re witnessing one of the most common reasons Americans get into collisions. Also known as ‘sub-manual tasks’, the seemingly harmless actions of checking the radio dial or adding a quick text can have devastating consequences. The United States sees over five and a half million car accidents every year, with a significant portion caused by drivers who take away vital attention from the road to focus on minor tasks.
Drunk driving is more commonly known, but unfortunately, no less common. Even a small amount of alcohol in a driver’s system is enough to impair their reaction time and put themselves, as well as everyone else, at an increased risk for a collision. A recent study found drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 have the highest traffic related injury rate per each 100,000 population. They also have some of the highest rates of drunk driving yet seen across multiple demographics. Drunk driving not only includes attempting to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, but under the influence of illegal drugs or over-the-counter medication.
You may find yourself reaching out to a law firm for other reasons. Motorcycle accident attorneys specialize in crashes, injuries and property damage regarding motorcycles, particularly since they have a higher rate of altercations than single-passenger vehicles. Of the five and a half million total annual car accidents in the country, at least three million will cause injuries and another 40,000 will be fatal. Going to trial is dependent on a few different factors, all of which are better determined with the aid of an accident injury attorney on your side. This ranges from medical malpractice to your local state laws.
The field of personal injury is a complicated one. That’s because no two cases are the same. It’s not even guaranteed you’ll see a courtroom, with recent studies confirming around 95% of personal injury cases are settled pre-trial. Medical malpractice today makes up around 15% of personal injury cases in the country, with the three most common reasons a person will file for a personal injury lawsuit also including car crashes. While there is no guarantee when you navigate the legal system in search of assistance, your law firm will be able to provide you with resources on getting a lawyer to represent you.
Whether you’ve been in a car accident or are worried for the future, responsible driving makes sure everyone is on the same page.